Champion Cristina Corpus

Another UC Davis player, Alice Kim -- the 2007 State Fair Champion playing two groups ahead of the leaders -- posted a 71 for a two day total of 144. Kim was now the leader in the clubhouse. In the next group was thirteen year old Casie Cathrea of Livermore, the reigning California Women’s Amateur Champion, who opened with a 73. Cathrea made a charge on the back nine with a birdie at 11 and an eagle at 15. She held a two stroke lead, but an errant tee shot at No. 18 that found the water hazard resulted in a double bogey. Cathrea finished tied with Kim at 144.

The first round leaders, Corpus and Brumbaugh struggled in the second round. Brumbaugh posted a 76 to become the third player at 144, while Corpus missed an opportunity to win outright with a sloppy three putt at 18 and that turned the playoff into an even foursome.

Commenting on the three putt Corpus said, “I had too many negative thoughts in my head.”

Kim, Cathrea, Brumbaugh and Corpus all headed back to the 18th tee for a sudden death playoff. All four players managed pars and headed back to the same hole for another shot at victory. This time Brumbaugh stayed alive with a clutch eight footer for an up-and-down from a missed green to the right. Cathrea’s approach landed near the hole, but careened off the back of the green from lack of spin. She showed nice touch with a chip to six inches from more than 30 feet out. Corpus and Kim two putted for pars. So back to the 18th tee again they go. This time all four players hit the green in regulation. Brumbaugh, Kim and Cathrea missed their birdie attempts and then Corpus, after backing off once, rolled in a ten footer for birdie to secure the victory.

Corpus’s victory in the 15th California State Fair was notable as the championship field was the strongest in tournament history. The 35 player field, with handicaps under five, was dominated by players from ten colleges and universities. San Jose State and USF led with six players. UC Davis had five and Sac State two. There were also teams as far away as San Diego State and UC Riverside as well as Sonoma State, Chico State, Sac City College and Folsom Lake College. The Sacramento Golf Council tournament committee members, Barbara Conerly and Shirley Johnson did a great job in improving the strength of the field and raising the prestige of the event.

Cristina Corpus will be attempting to play in the Monday Qualifier of the LPGA CVS Pharmacy event stated for mid October at Blackhawk Golf and Country Club in Danville. Corpus may not be back next year to defend her title as she will be playing in the tour qualifier for the Duramed Futures Tour later in November.

In the net division, Krista Wylder of the Executive Women’s Golf Association was champion with rounds of 68- 65 for a total 133. The senior low net champion was Deidre Wentworth of Haggin Oaks with a 64-67 total 131.