It became inevitable that it would be a UCLA alum who would win. This time, it was Eunice Cho.
Cho sank a 3-foot par putt on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff to knock off Debbie Kim and win the 47th annual California Senior Women's Amateur Championship at Green Valley CC in Fairfield.
Among the circumstances surrounding Cho and KIm: both turned 50 earlier this year. As juniors, the two once played against each other in a match at the California Junior Girls' State Championship. They also competed together on the UCLA women's golf team in the 1980s.
"I just can't believe that I won it," Cho said. "It hasn't hit me yet."
In what was a thriller, Cho, who lives in Manhattan Beach, looked to be a long shot in regulation after three straight bogeys from holes Nos. 10 through 12. placed her behind Debbie Kim and Kelly Wilson. Wilson, winner of the inaugural NCGA Women's Mid-Am, appeared to be in control following a brilliant up and down for par on the par-5 15th.
But then things got crazy.
Kim, playing in the group ahead of Cho and Wilson, birdied the 16th hole to become the solo leader at a total of 6-over. Behind her, on both the 16th and 17th holes, Wilson carded a bogey. As for Cho, a birdie of her own on the 16th got her to a total of 7-over.
On the 18th hole, Kim could have won it with a birdie. Instead, she three-putted for a bogey to finish at 7-over. With the bogey, Wilson had a shot to get to 7-over with a birdie, but she could only make par for a final round 75. Cho would make par, tying Kim for the lead.
On the first playoff hole, the par-5 1st, Kim looked to be in deep trouble after getting stuck in the bunker just off the green. She'd miraculously sink a 30-foot par putt to force another extra hole.
After two more tied holes, the drama ended on the par-4 4th when Kim three-putted and Cho made par.
Following each hole of the playoff was a group of former CWAC Senior champions Kathy Kurata, Lynne Cowan and 2024 champion Lara Tennant.
Kurata, who won the 2021 championship at San Jose CC, cruised to a win in the Super Senior division (ages 65-plus), finishing with a three-day total of 13-over 229. Tina Barker, a member at Green Valley and an NCGA Hall of Famer, was second at 239.
