by Bill Turner
Sixteen year old Lyndsey Hunnell fired a three-round total of 212 (-3) to capture the RVWGA City-County Championship
by five shots over 16-time winner Dot Bolling.
Hunnell held off Bolling in the third and final round at Ashley Plantation after Bolling had closed to within two shots heading to the final nine.
A birdie at the par-5 tenth and eagle at the par-6 fourteenth were the deciding factors as Hunnell securred her first area women’s major.
“She’s a very good player and it made it hard for me to beat her,” Bolling noted of Hunnell in the Ashley Plantation clubhouse afterward. “I got close then she knew how to turn it on. That’s a great trait to have. Not many players can do that on command. I think Lyndsey is the best player ever in the valley at her age.”
Hunnell was all smiles after her impressive three-day showing that saw her shoot under par twice.
“I knew Dot would put pressure on me, an I was concerned at the turn,” Hunnell noted. “But, I knew if I played my game there were holes on the back nine that I could make birdie on.”
“It’s the best three rounds I’ve ever had back-to-back-to-back,” Hunnell pointed out. “I’m very excited.”
When asked if this was the start of chasing Bolling’s phenominal career numbers, Hunnel said with a laugh, “I hope so.”
Sue Smith carded a final round 77 to take third, Leigh Lacy took fourth, while Hidden Valley grad and Washington & Lee-bound Sara Moir finishd in fifth place.
Peggy Miller nabbed the 70-and-over super senior title with a final round 83 to better Faye Stewart.
