Golf: Gaudio opens up 4-shot lead at McHenry Women’s Invitational

McHENRY – Western Springs' Alyssa Gaudio missed last year’s McHenry Women’s Invitational for the first time in four years after two bulging disks in her back kept the Oakland University women’s golf coach out of action for three-plus months.

“I almost tried to come back just to see if I could,” Gaudio said of missing last year's event. “It was sad not being able to defend."

On Monday, the three-time MWI champion was back and one of 110 golfers to test the rolling fairways and greens at McHenry Country Club in the 44th annual version of the tournament that began in 1975.

Gaudio, who won in 2014, 2015 and 2016, fired the lowest first-round score with an even-par 72. She holds a 4-shot lead in the championship flight entering Tuesday’s second and last round.

Huntley’s Jackie Schwarz, a five-time champion, and Rockford’s Hui Chong Dofflemyer are tied for second after shooting 76s. Zion’s Deanne Stolarik, the 2004 champion, Carol Stream’s Sonia Burgess, and Vero Beach, Florida’s, Laura Carson are tied for fourth with 79s.

Gaudio said she was nervous but excited when she heard her name called by PGA professional Scott Beaugureau at the first tee box.

“It’s one of the few [tournaments] I get to play in every summer,” Gaudio said. “I wasn’t going to miss it. The women who run it are amazing. They truly love it and have a passion for it. The women playing are good-hearted people, and it’s still very challenging. You’ve got to hit shots here. Nothing is easy.”

Schwarz, who last won the tournament in 1989, said Monday’s round is the best she has played all year.

“I play just about every year here,” Schwarz said. “You may all be friends off the course, but it’s still very competitive. ... When you like something, you play better. I’ve played here so many times that I know all the breaks and where not to put it.”

Palos Heights' Martha O'Boyle leads the first flight with an 80, followed by Kelly McDonald of Beach Park, Peoria's Jane Seiler and Lynn Meyer with 83s.

Chicago’s Sandra Honaker leads the second flight with an 87, McHenry’s Deanna Carstens – one of the tournament tri-chairs – is second with an 88, and Long Grove’s Lisa Cornell (91) is third.

Bartlett’s Beth Gemmill carded an 87 and leads the third flight. McHenry’s Pat Muir (91) and Bartlett’s Kathy Braun (92) are second and third. Barrington’s Karrie Meiners (89) leads the fourth flight. Waukegan’s Kim Leech (99) is 10 back, and three are tied for third with 100s.

Chicago’s Gillian McLaughlin, who recorded a 101 and leads the fifth flight, has returned for 20-plus years. She had trouble entering the field in the early years because of the interest level, she said.

“As soon as you got the invite, you went to the post office and sent your money,” McLaughlin said. “The women here are wonderful, and it’s just a fun event. There really are very few women events for amateurs, but this has been a mainstay.

“It’s like old-home week. Lots of people move away, and lots come back. I really wouldn’t miss McHenry.”

Carol Cooney, one of the “Founding Mothers” of MWI, didn’t know the tournament would grow into such a popular event when she and five others came up with the idea while driving home from a tournament at Cog Hill in Lemont – more than 60 miles away.

“We always used to go to Cog Hill, which is quite a ways,” Cooney said. “We thought, ‘Why can’t we have something closer to home?’ Five or six of us in a car – that’s where it was born. We thought we’d start it and see what happens. Word got around, and it grew and grew and grew.”

Up to 150 entrants in a single year have played in the MWI since the tournament’s debut. Cooney, who was among volunteers checking scorecards as golfers exchanged handshakes and hugs as they came off the 18th green, said the ideal number of competitors is closer to 120, but “the more the merrier.”

Prizes, from sterling trophies to emblazoned golf bags, are awarded to winners in each flight. Each participant received a silver loveknot bracelet, and prizes also are given for lowest number of putts, longest drive, straightest drive and closest to the pin.

45th McHenry Women’s Golf Invitational

McHenry County Club, par 72

Championship Flight

1. Alyssa Gaudio 72
T2. Hui Chong Dofflemyer 76
T2. Jackie Schwarz 76
T4. Sonia Burgess 79
T4. Deanne Stolarik 79
T4. Laura Carlson 79
7. Meg Cavanaugh 82
T8. Char McLear 83
T8. Maureen Sheehan 83
T10. Alexa Amato 85
T10. Lucy Sievers 85
T12. Monica Coleman 86
T12. Maryanne Nugent 86
14. Chris Clark 87
15. Sue O'Connor 88
16. Kelly Muskat 90

First Flight

1. Martha O'Boyle 80
T2. Kelly McDonald 83
T2. Lynn Meyer 83
T2. Jane Seiler 83
5. Judy Greskovich 84
6. Erica Carlson 85
7. Donna Peterson 87
8. Debora Friedman 88
T9. Karen Ford 89
T9. Denise Radek 89
T9. Martha Rash 89
T9. Lou Tenarvitz 89
13. Peggy Williams 90
T14. Nancy Laser 91
T14. Linda McAlister 91
T14. Debbie Shields 91
T17. Mimi Denoma 92
T17. Janet Tuscher 92 
19. Lisa Tram 94
20. Kim Dickerson 97
21. Cassie Lawton 98

Second Flight 

1. Sandra Honaker 87
2. Deanna Carstens 88
3. Lisa Cornell 91
T4. Jane Bogot 93
T4. Patty Mullins 93
T6. Joe Ann Hurst 94
T6. Rhonda Johnson 94
T6. Colleen McArthur 94
T9. Pam Babington 95
T9. Sherry Kantola 95
11. Sue Swail 96
12. Christine Malmgren 97
T13. Gretchen Carlson 99
T13. Seiko Kawata  99
T15. Bridgette Bell 101
T15. Camille Gianatasio 101
T15. Pat Serpico  101
T18. Ellen Culliton 102
T18. Linda Maurer 102
T20. Dawn Fleming 104
T20. Susie Lurie 104

Third Flight

1. Beth Gemmill 87
2. Pat Muir 91
3. Kathy Braun 92
T4. Pat Polachek 93
T4. Karri Thiessen 93
6. Gail Rohlfing 94
T7. Pan Fritzsche 96
T7. Claudia Richards 96
T9. Debbie Diana 97
T9. Patti Lolmaugh 97
T9. Patti Stone 97
12. Vicki Lee 98 
13. Ilene Abrahams 99
14. Susa Apel 100
15. Debra Beck 102
T16. Terry Beers 103
T16. Judy Fredbeck 103

Fourth Flight 

1. Karrie Meiners 89
2. Kim Leech 99
T3. Laurie Bender 100
T3. Mickey Poulos 100
T3. Mary Wagley 100
6. Virgina Szott 101
T7. Gail Merchant 102
T7. Terry Voigt 102
T9. Carol Giannone 103
T9. Amy St. John 103
11. Cindy Schmidt 105
12. Janet Conway 106
T13. Carol Kidder 107
T13. Michelle Reesh 107
15. Jamie Seputis 110
16 Judy Lenzini 111 
17. Pat Flynn 113
18. Patti Penner 117
19. Amy Amberg 119

Fifth Flight 

1. Gillian McLaughlin 101
2.  Alice Davitt 102
3. Ann Marie Zasiebida 103
4. Liz Yacono 105
5. Cindy Doering 107
6. Sue Coveny 109
T7. Theresa Levy 110
T7. Donna Ryan 110
T9. Peggy Garber 111
T9. Cathy Lennon 111
11. Janice Eder 112 
12. Sue Overland 115
13. Vicki McDermott 118
14. Carol Rad 120
15. Nancy Haney 126