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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Rudich wins HSWGA senior title

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Marcie Rudich

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WAIPAHU — In an event that celebrates high numbers as well as low, Marcie Rudich won the Hawai'i State Women's Golf Association Senior Championship yesterday at Waikele Golf Club.

Rudich was most involved with the low numbers. She blew through Waikele in 1-under-par 71, with three bogeys, two birdies and an eagle. Rudich nearly knocked it in from the fairway on the par-5, 432-yard 12th, ultimately sinking an eagle putt inside three feet.

The HSWGA event drew a field of 116, including 11 golfers in their 80s — five more than last year. The oldest was Loretta Chang, 88, who got a standing ovation at the awards ceremony. Chang plays at least twice a week, frequenting Pali, Olomana and Bayview.

There were 19 players in Championship Flight, which included golfers ages 76 to 88. The women played in five flights grouped by age, with D Flight the youngest, for those 50 to 57.

Rudich, 59, also won this tournament in 2003 and 2006. She suffered a stroke nearly three years ago and when she came back to the game her handicap, which had been as low as 3 when she played pretty much every day, got up as high as 12. It is now back to 6. She also got a standing ovation yesterday.

Yesterday was not her career low. She vaguely remembers shooting 70 at Leilehua, her home course, which is par-75 for women.

Low net flight winners were Johanna Kaat (88-20-68) in Championship, Gloria Viveiros (102-36-66) in A, Jane Uyehara (96-28-68) in B, Royce Sonnenberg (91-25-66) in C and Toyama Chong (79-12-67) in D.

Low gross winners were Yoko Benson (88), Diane Plotts (85), Terry Lui (78), Mieko Teruya (82) and Jade Merkle (74).

One of the 80-somethings, Annette Kono, took fourth in Championship Flight after shooting 96, for a 72 low net. Kono won this tournament in 1985.