State Am women golfers in for a test

LEHI — Many feel the longer hitters will have an advantage when more than 80 players tee it up today at Thanksgiving Point Golf Club in the 103rd Utah State Women's Amateur.

However, Thanksgiving Point is more than just a long track — even though playing at more than 5,800 yards it will be the longest test ever in tournament history. Still, there might not be a course in Utah with greens more difficult to putt, or more difficult to chip to.

"It's going to be fair, but a good test of golf," said Mark Whetzel, Thanksgiving Point director of golf.

Ball-striking, as always, will be critical in the 54-hole medal-play event, but a stellar short game and patience around Thanksgiving Point's tricky greens could prove to be the determining factor. Certainly, this might be a tournament in which the one who can best take her medicine and move on to the next shot will prevail.

"This is a tournament that should decide who the best player is, and this golf course is going to do that in a natural way," said Sue Nyhus, champion in 1985 and 1999.

Historically, college golfers win the Women's State Am. That could prove to be the case again this year with about 10 collegiate players in the field — including BYU's Amanda Keith and Jenteal Jackson, and soon-to-be Cougar Emily Copiers, who is reportedly going to transfer from Weber State to BYU. Copiers recently won the Utah Cup at Thanksgiving Point with a 3-under 69, so she has to be considered one of the favorites.

Missing from the field, however, is two-time defending champion Daphne Vines Parker, who now lives in Kentucky and plays for the University of Louisville. Her sister, 18-year-old Kelsey Vines, who finished third last year, also won't play after recently moving to Texas with her family. Vines will return to Utah in September to begin her freshman year at BYU and will try to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur this week.

Camille Gardner, a senior-to-be at BYU who challenged for the title last year, also won't play.

This might be the year that a veteran — like former champions Nyhus, Lachell Poffenberger and Tenille Slack — use their experience to outlast the younger competitors.

"We always think there's another one in us," said Poffenberger, who won in 1989, 1991 and 1998.

Echo Thatcher, a former Utah Valley University player, has also been playing strong of late.

But there's a host of young stars who might just have the nerves to handle the pressure of Thanksgiving Point's tough layout. Junior Sirene Blair already proved she can beat the best by winning the Winter Champs in March. Amanda Snyder, Annika Afoa and 10-year-old sensation Naomi Soifua are also young stars to keep an eye on this week.

"You are going to be surprised at some of the new names that just might pop up to the top," Nyhus said.

The tournament, which has five flights, concludes with 18 holes on Tuesday and 18 holes on Wednesday.

e-mail: jimr@desnews.com