(Ada, Michigan)—A back-nine rally led the Public Course team to victory in the 2006 Founders Challenge Sunday at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada. The public team, captained by Michigan State University women’s golf coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, defeated their Private Club counterparts 12-6 in the two-day golf competition, winning eight of the final nine singles matches in the process.
After the two teams of women amateur golfers split the points in six four-ball matches at The Meadows Golf Club in Allendale Saturday, the private team jumped in front on Sunday with wins by college players Lindsay Dunigan of Western Michigan University and Raquel Hansen of 2006 Division II runner-up Ferris State. Then veteran Sue Campbell of Campbell of Kalamazoo snatched a 1-up victory over Barb Schmid to start the comeback for the winners. After Campbell’s final-hole win, private club captain Joan Garety routed Julie Massa, 7 & 6. But following that defeat, the public team closed out the competition with six straight triumphs, including 2 & 1 wins by incoming Michigan State freshman Laura Kueny over Laura Bavaird and Slobodnik-Stoll over 2006 Michigan Amateur champion Lindsay Davis of the University of Michigan.
"We’re delighted again this year with the field of players we attracted to our event," said Laurie Beard, president and chief executive officer of Founders Bank & Trust. "These girls and women seem to get better with each passing year and we’re looking forward to another great event in 2007."
Though the margin of victory was wider than expected, Slobodnik-Stoll saluted the opposition. "When I heard our team was behind at the turn in the first four matches, I wondered whether this would be their year," she said. "But our players in the middle of line-up really got going on the back nine and carried us to the win."
Ashley Smith, Stephany Fleet, Jenny Calkins and Stephanie Mory all scored wins for the public team, which also got an impressive 5 & 4 victory by high school junior Shannon Warner of Livonia over Caledonia’s Carolyn Schaner.
Founders Bank and Trust of Grand Rapids is the presenting sponsor of the Founders Challenge. Clothing for event participants, volunteers and officials is provided by the golf industry’s top apparel manufacturer, Fairway & Greene of Shelton, CT. Additional sponsors of the event are Alticor of Ada, Michigan, and Winners, Inc. of Grand Rapids.
Founders Challenge Day 2 Singles
@ Egypt Valley CC (Valley Course)
Ada, Michigan
Lindsay Dunigan (Private team) defeated Kelly Boogaard (Public team), 3 & 1
Missy Ward (Public) defeated Allison Tyler (Private) 3 & 2
Raquel Hansen (Private) defeated Michelle Boogaard (Public) 3 & 1
Sue Campbell (Public) defeated Barb Schmid (Private) 1-up
Ashley Smith (Public) defeated Susie Barbour (Private) 5 & 3
Stephany Fleet (Public) defeated Rose Cassard (Private) 4 & 2
Jenny Calkins (Public) defeated Casey McKinnon (Private) 4 & 3
Stephanie Mory (Public) defeated Jen Domagalski (Private) 1-up
Joan Garety (Private) defeated Julie Massa (Public) 7 & 6
Shannon Warner (Public) defeated Carolyn Schaner (Private) 5 & 4
Laura Kueny (Public) defeated Laura Bavaird (Private) 2 & 1
Stacy Slobdonik-Stoll (Public) defeated Lindsay Davis (Private) 2 & 1
Day One Results: Private Club Team 3, Public Course Team 3
Day Two Results: Public Course Team 9, Private Club Team 3
Final Score: Public Course Team 12, Private Club Team 6
Contact:
Tom Cleary
(616) 915-4267
tjcleary@aol.com
Terry Moore
(616) 247-1931
tmoore@usxchange.net
