Utah Women’s State Am Golf: 4-time champ Chugg advances to quarters of tough tournament
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- Kelsey Chugg lines up a shot during the Utah Women’s State Amateur Championship golf tournament Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022 in South Ogden.
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- Aimee Williams hits a chip shot during the Utah Women’s State Amateur Championship golf tournament Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022 in South Ogden.
SOUTH OGDEN — Four-time Utah Women’s State Amateur golf champion Kelsey Chugg remains in contention for her fifth title in the event after winning both her matches Tuesday at the Ogden Golf and Country Club.
Chugg, a former Weber State golfer, made quick work of both her opponents. Tuesday morning in the round of 32, she defeated Bonneville High alumnus Aubree Johnson 5 and 4. Chugg was 3 up after an even-par front nine.
In the afternoon during the round of 16, Chugg shot 2-under on the front nine and was 6 up against Kareen Larson, eventually winning that match 6 and 5.
Chugg will face current BYU golfer and 2019 state amateur champion Kerstin Fotu in Wednesday’s quarterfinal round.
Chugg is the only golfer with Weber County ties who advanced to the quarterfinals of the State Am, which has a loaded field of current and incoming Division-I golfers.
Two golfers with area ties did advance to the round of 16: Aimee Williams and Michelle Tierney.
Williams, a Weber County native, made a par putt on the 18th hole to defeat recent Idaho State golfer Tyler Erickson 1 up in the round of 32 in the morning. Williams went 1 up on the fourth hole, then the match was tied after the fifth hole. Neither golfer led by more than one.
Erickson led 1 up going into the 16th hole, which Williams won to tie the match going to the final two holes.
Williams, who estimated she’s lucky to play golf once per week at Wolf Creek in Eden, had a long birdie putt on the 18th that she got to within a few feet, where she made the par putt.
“It was really fun, I enjoyed myself and it makes me know that if I really practiced, I could — I can’t hit it quite as far, but I’m not that far behind,” Williams said.
In the afternoon, Williams lost 6 and 5 to Sacramento State golfer Tess Blair in the round of 16, who shot 2-under par on Monday in stroke play qualifying to win medalist honors. Blair, a South Jordan native and 2021 Big Sky Conference individual champion, won three of the first four holes and led 4 up after the front nine. Williams won the seventh hole to temporarily cut Blair’s lead to 2 up.
Once the round of 16 started, the overwhelming majority of remaining players were current or incoming Division-I golfers in their teens and 20s.
“It was fun, I just was a little bit bummed about my performance this afternoon, at least I’m here. I am 46, so,” Williams said. “I mean, Tess was playing great. She made a bunch of birdies, she was pretty consistent.”
Former Weber State golfer Michelle Tierney advanced to the round of 32 in spectacular, comeback fashion against her opponent, Ellie Hair. Tierney was 3 down with five holes to play and won four holes in a row to go 1 up into the 18th, where she and Hair both made 3s.
In the round of 16, Tierney matched incoming BYU freshman Berlin Long for 10 holes before Long eventually won 3 and 1.
Quarterfinals and semifinals are Wednesday at OGCC with the 18-hole final coming Thursday.
Quarterfinals
Tess Blair vs. Sarah Salvo, 7:30 a.m.
Sophie Simon vs. Adeline Anderson, 7:40 a.m.
Berlin Long vs. Apelila Galeai, 7:50 a.m.
Kesley Chugg vs. Kerstin Fotu, 8 a.m.
Semifinals (Wednesday afternoon)
Blair/Salvo winner vs. Simon/Anderson winner.
Chugg/Fotu winner vs. Long/Galeai winner.
Selected Round of 32 results
Kelsey Chugg def. Aubree Johnson, 5 and 4.
Aimee Williams def. Tyler Erickson, 1 up.
Michelle Tierney def. Ellie Hair, 1 up.
Grace Summerhays def. Libby Ward, 8 and 7.
Sophie Simon def. Roberta Scott, 7 and 6.
Adeline Anderson def. Isabel Gutierrez Paillaud, 1 up.
Kassidy Wallin def. Sarah Hameed, 2 and 1.
Selected Round of 16 results
Kesley Chugg def. Kareen Larson, 6 and 5.
Tess Blair def. Aimee Williams, 6 and 5.
Berlin Long def. Michelle Tierney, 3 and 1.
Connect with reporter Patrick Carr via email at pcarr@standard.net, Twitter @patrickcarr_ and Instagram @standardexaminersports.