BOWLING GREEN, KY (June 29, 2023) – On Wednesday afternoon it all came down to only two players left standing in the match play bracket. Alaina Schmitt and Abbie Lee left the first tee at 12:31 PM CST with one goal in mind: becoming the next Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Kentucky Women’s Amateur Champion.

The morning semi-final matches are what set the stage between the Senior from Bellarmine University (Schmitt) and the Sophomore from Middle Tennessee (Lee). Schmitt (3) punched her ticket to the final match with a 4&2 victory over the Hilltopper, Faith Martin (4). Lee earned her spot on the 18th green after sinking a twenty-five-foot birdie putt to win 1 Up against the defending champion, Payton Carter (1).

Lee took an early lead in the final match, with a birdie on the opening hole. She would maintain a 1 Up lead until the par-five fifth hole. Schmitt used her length off the tee to her advantage as she made a two-putt birdie after reaching the green in two and brought the match back to Tied. On the par-four sixth, Schmitt pushed her lead out to 2 Up, after hitting her approach to mere inches. She would hold this lead until they made the turn to the par four-tenth.

Lee was able to pick up a shot on the tenth hole after an errant tee shot from Schmitt came to rest out of bounds. Schmitt made up the dropped shot quickly making a three to Lee’s four on the eleventh. Schmitt would extend her lead once again on the challenging par three thirteenth after making par while Lee failed to get up and down from short of the green.

The window of opportunity for Lee was closing as the players left the par four fifteen with the match dormie in Schmitt’s favor (3Up with three holes to play). Both players hit their tee shots down the left side of the fairway, and each had to navigate some tree trouble. Schmitt was the first to play and was forced to play away from the flag leaving her with a thirty-foot birdie putt. Lee, knowing she had to be aggressive, hit a remarkable recovery shot within about fifteen from the hole for her birdie. Ultimately, the hole ended as halved, making Alaina Schmitt our newest Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Kentucky Women’s Amateur Champion.  

Here is what Schmiit had to say after her win: 

What was your mindset going into the final match? 

- "Standing on the first tee there were no feelings of pressure or anxiety, just gratitude and confidence. I've worked extremely hard to get to where I am now, so I had no doubts in myself. I had my mom there watching, my dad as my caddy, and I was playing golf on a beautiful day."

How did you regroup and refocus after the OB tee shot on the tenth hole? 

- "All tournament, my dad kept saying "Not the last one, not the next one, but this one right here". That really helped me stay in the present and take things one shot at a time. After the tee shot on ten, I just let it go because stressing about it wouldn't change anything. I just focused on the shot in front of me because anything can happen, that's the beauty of golf."

How does it feel to have your name in the history books of an event with such rich history? 

- "Being in the history books for this championship is a surreal feeling. I’ve only been playing golf for four years, so I’ve always felt like I’ve been playing catch-up with the girls who have played their whole lives. After winning this tournament, I proved to myself that I am capable of anything I put my mind to and work hard at. I’m also grateful to have represented both Bellarmine University and Woodhaven Country Club. Bellarmine, my coach Art Henry specifically, took a chance on me and let me walk on the team when I had only been playing golf for 7 months. Woodhaven has provided me with the best support system I could ever ask for. I wouldn’t be where I am today without both Bellarmine and Woodhaven"

The tournament’s Senior Gross Championship was also decided on Wednesday, where Jessica Cornelius (1) of Danville defeated Cindy Summers of Bowling Green (2), with a 2&1 victory. The match for our Senior Net Championship between Joan Waldrop (1) of Elizabethtown and Melynda Riley (2) of Russellville was decided on the sixteenth hole with a 3&2 victory for Riley. Cookie Whitehouse won the Senior Net Consolation match with a 2&1 victory over Melba Kindervater.

Click here to view the final brackets

Click here to view the photo gallery 

The Kentucky Golf Association extends its thanks to Daniel Soehren, PGA General Manager, Eric Voss, PGA Head Professional, and the entire staff at Bowling Green Country Club for their assistance and hospitality throughout the championship. The KGA also lends its appreciation to each player and spectator who made the 99th edition of the tournament a special one.

More prestigious women’s golf tournaments in Kentucky are on the way in the coming weeks, as the 27th Kentucky Women’s Open will be at Elizabethtown Country Club on July 17-18. The Senior edition of the championship is scheduled for September 12-13 at Woodson Bend Resort in Bronston, KY.

About the Kentucky Golf Association:
The Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) is one of the three organizations encompassed under Golf House Kentucky, in addition to the Kentucky Golf Foundation (KGF) and Kentucky PGA Section (KPGA). The Kentucky Golf Association represents the amateur body of Kentucky’s golfers working in assistance with the United States Golf Association (USGA). The KGA provides a wide range of services, including handicapping, USGA course and slope ratings, and tournament management software to its Member Clubs. The KGA also operates the state’s premier amateur tournaments along with USGA National Championship qualifiers. Alongside the KGF and KPGA, the KGA strives to promote the benefits and enjoyment of golf while continuing to grow the sport across the Commonwealth.