The 2013 Women’s International Four-Ball Championship was exceptionally close this year. Palm Beach’s Tara Connelly and Oakland Park’s Meghan Stasi battled through cold and windy weather to shoot an even par 72 during the final day, for a two-under (70-72) 142. However, the duo still had a challenging task ahead of them in order to win the Championship. Marie Arnoux and Alexandra Frazier came from behind and fired a final day 69 (73-69-142), forcing a sudden death playoff at The Wanderer’s Club in Wellington, Florida.
This was a familiar setting for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Champ, Meghan Stasi, and The French Mid-Amateur Champ, Marie Arnoux. Stasi and Arnoux battled it out in the final match during last year’s FSGA Women’s Amateur Championship. Stasi came out on top the last time the two met, and she would not be denied victory this time either.
The intense playoff between the two teams ended on the fifth hole, where the Connelly/Stasi duo sank a birdie putt to claim the Women’s International Four-Ball Championship (pictured right). This is the duo’s second win as a team; the first came back in September, when they won the FSGA Women’s Four-Ball Match Play Championship.
Mary Jane Hiestand of Naples and Diane Lang of Estero continued their consistent play, shooting a 146 and finishing third in the event. Defending Champions Taffy Brower and Alexa Hammer finished tied for fourth with Gale Brudner/ Ellen Oswald.
In the Silver Division first flight, Ashley Crain and Claudio Cenko were able to hold onto their lead, finishing two strokes ahead over the teams of Nancy Jackson/Maria Marino and Debbie Mook Sang/Sisi Hedges. Leann Cesario and Debra Wangrud fired a second-day 75 to win the Silver Division second flight.
Lanette Gustafson and Eileen Burke were victorious in the Bronze Division first flight where they shot 77-78-155. The team of Lemon-Steiner and Lemon-Steiner claimed the Bronze Division second flight, where they shot a two-day total 179.
