Sports

Pearce, 16, bests field for women’s title

• Despite being the youngest entrant in this year’s Albany Amateur, Kelly Pearce shows her maturity by winning the title in the women’s championship flight.

Derek Barichello

ALBANY — Kelly Pearce golfed like a true veteran.

Pearce, who was the youngest competitor in the entire Albany Amateur City Championship at only 16 years old, finished ahead of runner-up Debbie DeVane in a neck-and-neck contest Sunday at Grand Island Golf Club.

Sherwood Christian Academy’s No. 1 golfer came into the final round with a one stroke lead and walked away with a four-stroke win after firing a final-round 74.

“All year I’ve been looking forward to this tournament,” said Pearce, who placed second at last year’s event. “I was able to keep my shots in the fairway.”

DeVane, who led after Day 1, carded a 77 Sunday for second place, while defending champion Helen Kirbo shot an 83 to finish third and end 13 strokes off the lead.

Pearce’s poise was most impressive to her opponents.

DeVane, who returned to tournament golf for the first time in 10 years, took a one-stroke lead heading into No. 15.

But that’s when Pearce turned up the heat with a birdie and DeVane bogeyed to ultimately turn the match in Pearce’s favor.

“She’s really tough,” DeVane said. “She stayed poised and patient out there. She’s fun to watch.”

However, DeVane said her short game did not help matters.

“It just came down to I missed a couple putts,” DeVane said. “But I was glad to be where I was. I know I was right there up until the third to last hole with her. I just missed a putt and she birdied.”

Pearce, who said Saturday after her second round that she planned on playing the course and not trying to focus on anyone else’s individual score, said it was not so easy to do so Sunday.

“Everyone in our group talked about it,” said Pearce, who finished runner-up for 2008 Herald Player of the Year in girls golf and was named co-Player of the Year in 2007. “I tried to just play the course but I was listening a little bit to them. I just tried to ignore it and make pars.”

For the tournament’s defending champion and two-time winner, who started the day four off the lead, it was not one of her better rounds.

“I didn’t get my driver going,” Kirbo said. “I didn’t have my swing.”

STONEBRIDGE SHINES

Pearce, who calls Stonebridge her home course as well as men's championship flight winner Brandon Anthony and senior championship flight winner Dan Rhoads, returned the Big 3 titles to Stonebridge after members from Doublegate Country Club (men's champ Mike Cooper, senior champ Ben Benford and women's champ Helen Kirbo) won last year's Big 3 titles.

AND THE WOMEN’S GOODY BAG GOES TO ...

To those who know Deerfield-Windsor baseball coach Rod Murray well, this moment was a classic.

The usually-bearded and gruff Murray, who finished tied for second place in the men’s championship flight, won quite the ironic raffle prize Sunday after the final round at Grand Island: a basket full of perfumes and toiletries.

While the clubhouse at erupted with laughter when Murray’s name was called, the Knights coach had a smooth answer for them.

“I have an anniversary coming up,” Murray said straight faced.

WOMEN’S FIRST FLIGHT

Pam Pangle cruised past the defending champion Becky Yager to win the women’s first flight after carding a 97 in the opening round. Pangle shot an 81 on Sunday to win her first title in only her second year in the tournament. Yager finished second eight strokes behind Pangle, while Day 1 leader Olivia Flanagan ended up nine strokes behind.

“I knew if I could put some good shots together, I had an opportunity,” Pangle said. “Knowing the talent I was up against, it means a lot to win it.”

WOMEN’S 2ND FLIGHT

Jane Braun was only the second player in the entire tournament to defend a title and was the only women to do so. Braun carded an 88 in the final round to win by 16 strokes. Peggy Phelps finished in second place and Kathy Waters finished third.

“That was the best score I’ve shot all year,” said Braun. “I had a four shot lead and it never got any tighter.”

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