Miller holds off Paulson, wins women's title

Shelly Miller had a relatively easy time capturing her first three Women's Club Championships at Headwaters Country Club.

Winning her fourth consecutive title was a lot harder.

Miller and Steph Paulson were the only two golfers battling for the women's title last Saturday and Sunday. Both golfers opened with 87s during Saturday's first 18 holes before Miller took control on the final nine holes Sunday to defend her title with a 93 and two-day total of 180. Paulson, who held a one-shot lead entering the final nine holes, finished with a 98 and two-day total of 185.

That finish was a sharp contrast to the previous three years. Miller won her first club title by carding a 180 in 2006 for a 10-shot victory over Donette Swanson in a four-player field. In 2007, Miller carded a 183 for a 14-shot victory over Kim Marjama in a three-player showdown. Last year, Miller shot a 177 and was handed the title when no other golfer entered the club championship.

Last weekend, Paulson made Miller earn the title.

During Saturday's first round, Miller used pars on No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 7 and No. 9 to open with a 40 on the front side. Paulson matched that score with a birdie on No. 4 and pars on No. 3, No. 6 and No. 8.

Both golfers matched scores on the back side as Miller carded pars on No. 10 and No. 17 for a 47 while Paulson had pars on No. 10 and No. 13 for her 47.

After a par on No. 1 and a bogey on No. 2 gave Miller a three-shot lead during Sunday's final round, Paulson used back-to-back pars on No. 4 and No. 5 to claim a one-shot advantage. Despite carding a 47 on the front side, Paulson held a one-stroke lead entering the final nine holes.

Miller took the lead for good by beginning the back side with three bogeys and a par. Miller led by three strokes before pars on the final two holes capped off a 45 and sealed the win. Paulson, who didn't par any holes on the back nine, shot a 51 to finish five strokes back.

Bev Hepokoski shot a 93 on Sunday to win her first Women's Senior Championship. Hepokoski also won the First Flight with a net 72. Lois Nordman won the Second Flight with a net 76.

FIRST FLIGHT

1, Bev Hepokoski (93-21) net 72. 2, Donette Swanson (98-23) net 75. 3, Anne Crabbe (101-22) net 79.

SECOND FLIGHT

1, Lois Nordman (107-31) net 76. 2 (tie), Janakaye Husby (109-27) and Jackie Stalpes (110-28) net 82.