The 20th anniversary of the CGA Niblick tournament was celebrated Thursday at Highland Meadows Golf Course. Designed specifically for female golfers with Handicap Indexes between 18.0 and 36.0, the Niblick is played in a two-ball stroke-play format, with each partner playing her own ball and the lower score counting as the team score on each hole.
This year’s field was divided into four flights, with gross and net winners recognized in each, along with an Overall Low Net champion. The event also featured Closest to the Hole competitions on Nos. 4 and 11.
Kim Buck and Neisha Sikora captured Overall Low Net honors with an impressive 7-under-par 64, finishing two strokes ahead of Sandra Schnitzer and Deanna Messerli. Buck and Sikora regularly play together at Fossil Trace Golf Club, but this marked their tournament debut after Buck’s original partner was unable to play.
Neither had played Highland Meadows before, but the pair said they enjoyed the course, were paired with great playing partners and made a point not to check the leaderboard until their round was complete — all of which they felt helped contribute to the win.
Cindy DeRenzo and Patti McKeighan captured the First Flight gross title with a score of 84 (+13), while Sue Reilly and Ellen Meany finished second at 85 (+14). In the net competition, Reilly and Meany just beat out Holli Dolye and Karen Davidson in a scorecard playoff, as both teams turned in a score of 70 (-1).
Dee Martinez and Lynette Schneller claimed the Second Flight gross title with a score of 85 (+14). In the net competition, Jeanette Paone and Susie Bucholz took top honors with a 68 (-3), while Martinez and Schneller finished second at 69 (-2).
Sandra Schnitzer and Deanna Messerli led the Third Flight with a gross score of 88 (+17), followed by Jennie Jones and Kathy Nold at 91 (+20). Jones and Nold also posted a net 69 (-2), taking first in the net competition following a scorecard playoff over Debora Kolb and Sally Carsten, who finished second with the same score.
Joanne Schroeder and Barbara Peneder captured the Fourth Flight gross title with a 94 (+23), while Karla Harding and Susan Gilbert finished second at 95 (+24). In the net competition, Marcia Hall and Susie Goldberg took first with an even-par 71, followed by Harding and Gilbert at 72 (+1).
Ronda Love earned Closest to the Hole honors on the 92-yard, par-3 fourth hole, while Beverly Carey took the prize on the 105-yard, par-3 11th, capping the day with a pair of standout shots.
CLICK HERE for the full leaderboard and to see more pictures from the tournament.