Aug. 1, 2001
GARLAND, Texas - Baylor senior Tara Bateman held on to her overnight lead and captured the first championship of her career at the Texas Women's Open on Tuesday. Until Tuesday, her resume included a long list of second place finishes, both in college and amateur tournaments. Bateman had rounds of 69 and 67 for a total 136 (-4) for the 36-hole championship.
"My putter really saved me," said Bateman. "I made some putts I wasn't expecting to make. I was just trying to make par and the birdies rolled in."
Bateman's biggest challenge came from professional Nicolle Flood of Pinehurst, N.C. Flood fired a course record four-under-par 66, including a score of 32 on the front nine to put heat on Bateman with a few holes to play.
"I putted much better today," said Flood. "I three putted three times yesterday, and I knew that wasn't going to cut it today."
Flood finished one stroke back at 137 (-3) after rounds of 71-66. The next step for her is to spend some time with her mental coach, Dr. David Cook of The Mindset Academy in Fort Worth, and her coach Jim Wilkinson of Portland before LPGA Tour Qualifying School begins on August 20.
Adrienne Gautreaux of Mabank finished the tournament at one-under-par to capture third place (70-69 - 139). Randi Meadows of Fair Oaks Ranch, a senior at the University of Texas, was the other round one co-leader. Meadows finished fourth after a final round 74 and a three-over-par total 143 (69-74).
The Texas Women's Open was conducted at Eastern Hills Country Club, a 6,058 yard par 70 layout. Seventy-seven players, including 26 professionals and 51 amateurs competed for a $10,000 purse in the 36-hole stroke play event. For her victory, Bateman received the overall champion's trophy, as well as the low amateur trophy and a $500 gift certificate. Flood, the low professional, pocketed $1,100.
The event was last played in 1955 at River Crest Country Club in Fort Worth, and past champions include Aneila Goldthwaithe, Beverly Hanson, Polly Riley, Betsy Rawls and Babe Zaharias.
"Few people realize the place in golf history that the Texas Women's Open possesses," said Mac Spikes, Northern Texas PGA President and Head Golf Professional at River Crest Country Club. "This event was a forerunner of the present LPGA Tour. This year's contestants followed quite a legacy," said Spikes.
