To the Brink

Two Colorado residents had to go the distance — actually one a little bit beyond — but they both earned spots in the match play round of 32 at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur on Monday at Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis, Mo.

Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Janet Moore of Centennial, who needed a Monday morning playoff to make the match-play bracket, extended her stay later in the day by knocking off second-seeded Erin Bradford of Georgetown, Ky., 1 up.

And Marilyn Hardy, a part-time resident of Gunnison, needed 19 holes to defeat Kayla Barnes of Bellevue, Neb., in the round of 64.

Moore, seeded 63rd, never led against Bradford until making a birdie on the 18th hole for the victory. Moore, who was 2 down through seven holes, actually birdied each of the last two holes after being 1 down through 16.

After being 6 over par through seven holes, Moore played her final 11 in 1 over. The five-time CGA Women’s Stroke Play champion will face Canadian Julia Hodgson in Tuesday’s round of 32.

Similar to Moore, Hardy never led in her match until after the final hole — in her case, the 19th. That’s where the one-time national Women’s Mid-Am semifinalist birdied for the victory.

Hardy had been 2 down after 15, but went 2 under the rest of the way for the win. In the round of 32, Hardy will meet Lauren Greenlief of Ashburn, Va.

The winners of Tuesday morning’s matches will play in the round of 16 in the afternoon.

The Women’s Mid-Am is limited to players 25 and older.

Here are the round-by-round results for the Coloradans competing at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur:

Monday’s Match Play Round of 16
Marilyn Hardy, Gunnison, def. Kayla Barnes, Bellevue, Neb., 19 holes
Janet Moore, Centennial, def. Erin Bradford, Georgetown, Ky., 1 up

Advance to Match Play
27. Marilyn Hardy, Gunnison 79-75–154
59. Janet Moore, Centennial 82-77–159
Failed to Advance to Match Play
Staci Creech, Englewood 80-84–164

For complete results, CLICK HERE.