Sports

Golf: Gaudio sets tourney record en route to McHenry Women's Invitational title

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Alyssa Gaudio tees off on the second hole Tuesday during the 44th annual McHenry Women's Invitational at McHenry Country Club in McHenry. (Matthew Apgar)

By ALEX KANTECKI

McHENRY – Western Springs' Alyssa Gaudio felt the thrill of being in the last group of the day as she approached the 18th tee at McHenry Country Club with more than 30 golf carts lining both sides of the fairway.

"It just gives you a little more energy out there," Gaudio said of the crowd at Tuesday's 44th McHenry Women's Invitational. "When I hear them cheering, it just makes me want to hit better shots."

Gaudio gave spectators plenty to cheer about as the the Oakland University women's golf coach recorded a two-day tournament record, 3-under-par 141 to capture her fourth MWI title since 2014.

Gaudio held a four-shot lead entering the second round after shooting even-par on Monday. She was 3-under 69 in the second round and won the championship flight by 14 shots over the runner-up, Huntley's Jackie Schwarz, a five-time tournament winner.

"It was awesome playing with Jackie," Gaudio said. "She's a great competitor. She hits it so well. It's so fun competing against all of these great women. It's such a welcoming environment and so friendly and fun."

Gaudio had five birdies in her final round and was at 4-under until a bogey on the 16th. She missed a 5-foot birdie putt on the 17th, and left a 15-foot putt for birdie on the 18th about a foot short.

"I had a few more chances where I could have had one or two back, but I just couldn't do it."

Gaudio missed last year's tournament with a back injury, which ended a tournament-record three straight titles for Gaudio. Only Schwarz and Kerry Postillion, a six-time winner, have won more titles.

Schwarz, who last won the tournament in 1989, took second with a 76-79-155. She was pulling for Gaudio to break the single-round tournament record.

PGA professional Scott Beaugureau believes Postillion holds the record with a 67 or 68.

"Your hearts gets going," Schwarz said. "I was rooting for her. I wanted her to shoot better."

Zion's Deanne Stolarik (79-79-158) finished third, and Vero Beach, Florida’s Laura Carson (79-81-160) and Northbrook's Meg Cavanaugh (82-78-160) tied for fourth.

Palos Heights' Martha O'Boyle won the first flight title with an 80-84-164. McHenry's Erica Carlson (85-82-167) took second, and Bloomington's Donna Peterson (87-81-168) took third.

"It's a very challenging course, it's very competitive, and it's fun to play in," said O'Boyle, who had her best finish in eight years. "There are a lot of very good women golfers. I've met so many wonderful people here that I only get to see once a year."

Chicago’s Sandra Honaker finished with a 87-86-173 to win the second flight title. McHenry’s Deanna Carstens (88-89-177) was second and Long Grove’s Lisa Cornell (91-88-179) was third.

Schaumburg’s Gail Rohlfing won the third flight with a 94-91-185. McHenry’s Pat Muir (91-96-187) and Bartlett’s Pat Polachek (93-94-187) and Beth Gemmill (87-100-187) tied for second.

McHenry’s Laura Bender won the fourth flight by four shots with a 100-91-191. Wilmette’s Mickey Poulous (100-95-195) was second and Barrington’s Karrie Meiners (89-110-199) was third.

Chicago’s Gillian McLaughlin finished with a 101-98-199 to clinch the fifth flight by six shots. Itasca’s Ann Marie Zasiebida (103-102-205) was second, and Barrington’s Cindy Doering (107-102-209) was third.

MWI also recognized long-time volunteer and McHenry Country Club social member Marion Watson, who died in April. Watson, 90, was born in Chicago and a longtime resident of Ingleside. A photo with Watson’s signature smile in the banquet room reads, “In love memory of our ranger extraordinaire and lady bullseye, Marion Watson. We will miss your dedication to MWI, and your gracious smile.”

44th McHenry Women’s Golf Invitational

McHenry County Club, par 72

Championship Flight 

1. Alyssa Gaudio 72-69-141

2. Jackie Schwarz 76-79-155

3. Deanne Stolarik 79-79-158

T4. Laura Carson 79-81-160

T4. Meg Cavanaugh 82-78-160

6. Hui Chong Dofflemyer 76-85-161

7. Sonia Burgess 79-83-162

8. Maureen Sheehan 83-81-164

9. Lucy Sievers 85-80-165

10. Char McLear 83-83-166

11. Sue O’Connor 88-79-167

12. Alexa Amato 85-83-168

13. Chris Clark 87-83-170

14. Monica Coleman 86-86-172

15. Maryanne Nugent 86-88-174

16. Kelly Muskat 90-91-181

First Flight 

1. Martha O’Boyle 80-84-164

2. Erica Carlson 85-82-167

3. Donna Peterson 87-81-168

4. Kelly McDonald 83-88-171

5. Judy Greskovich 84-90-174

6. Martha Rash 89-87-176

7. Jane Seiler 83-92-175

T8. Kim Dickerson 97-92-179

T8. Peggy Williams 90-89-179

10. Debbie Shields 91-89-180

T11. Denise Radek 89-92-181

T11. Lou Tenarvitz 89-92-181

13. Linda McAlister 91-91-182

14. Karen Ford 89-94-183

15. Debora Friedman 88-96-184

T16. Mimi Denoma 92-95-187

T16. Lynn Meyer 83-95-187

T16. Lisa Tram 94-93-187

T16, Janet Tuscher 92 -95-187

Second Flight 

1. Sandra Honaker 87-88-179

2. Deanna Carstens 88-89-177

3. Lisa Cornell 91-88-179

4. Rhonda Johnson 94-90-184

5. Joe Ann Hurst 94-91-185

6. Christine Malmgren 97-90-187

T7. Jane Bogot 93-96-189

T7. Ellen Culliton 102-87-189

T7. Sherry Kantola 95-94-189

T7. Colleen McArthur 94-95-189

11. Camille Gianatasio 101-91-192

12, Sue Swail 96-97-193

13. Seiko Kawata 99-95-194

T14. Patty Mullins 93-104-197

T14. Pat Serpico 101-96-197

T16. Gretchen Carlson 99-99-198

T16. Dawn Fleming 104-94-198

18. Pam Babington 95-104-199

19. Bridgette Bell 101-99-200

20. Linda Maurer 102-103-205

21. Susie Lurie 104-111-215

Third Flight

1. Gail Rohlfing 94-91-185

T2. Beth Gemmill 87-100-187

T2. Pat Muir 91-96-187

T2. Pat Polachek 93-94-187

5. Karri Thiessen 93-95-188

6. Vicki Lee 98 -91-189

T7. Kathy Braun 92-99-191

T7. Pan Fritzsche 96-95-191

9. Debbie Diana 97-95-192

10. Patti Stone 97-98-195

11. Claudia Richards 96-100-196

12. Terry Beers 103-95-198

T13. Debra Beck 102-97-199

T13. Patti Lolmaugh 97-102-199

15. Susan Apel 100-100-200

16. Ilene Abrahams 99-102-201

17. Judy Fredbeck 103-100-203

Fourth Flight 

1. Laurie Bender 100-91-191

2. Mickey Poulos 100-95-195

3. Karrie Meiners 89-110-199

T4. Kim Leech 99-101-200

T4. Cindy Schmidt 105-95-200

6. Amy St. John 103-98-201

7. Virgina Szott 101-101-202

8. Terry Voigt 102-101-203

9. Mary Wagley 100-105-205

T10. Carol Giannone 103-103-206

T10. Janet Conway 106-100-206

12. Carol Kidder 107-100-207

T13. Gail Merchant 102-108-210

T13. Michelle Reesh 107-103-210

15. Pat Flynn 113-101-214

16. Amy Amberg 119-107-216

17. Jamie Seputis 110-112-222

18. Judy Lenzini 111 -112-223

19. Patti Penner 117-108-225

Fifth Flight 

1. Gillian McLaughlin 101-98-199

2. Ann Marie Zasiebida 103-102-205

3. Cindy Doering 107-102-209

4. Alice Davitt 102-110-212

5. Donna Ryan 110-113-213

6. Peggy Garber 111-104-215

7. Liz Yacono 105-111-216

8. Theresa Levy 110-111-221

9. Sue Overland 115-108-223

10. Nancy Haney 126-101-227

11. Janice Eder 112-116-228

12. Carol Rad 120-111-231

13. Vicki McDermott 118-116-234