Nittoli Grabs Two-Shot Lead at 37th Women’s Senior Stroke Play
Kelley Nittoli of San Antonio opened the 37th Women’s Senior Stroke Play with a 5-over 77 on Monday at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club, taking a two-stroke lead over a pair of fellow San Antonio players after the first round.
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Leaders: Nittoli was one of just three players to break 80 on Monday, and her 77 on the demanding Blackjack Oak course gave her a cushion heading into Tuesday. Claudia Ramirez and Kathy Crumley, both of San Antonio, sit tied for second at 7-over 79, giving San Antonio players a sweep of the top three spots just up the road from home. Lantana’s D’Lynn McCoppin is alone in fourth at 10-over 82, while Anna Morales of Austin and Kristin Hawk of Heath are tied for fifth at 11-over 83. A crowded group of seven players, including Jennifer Hoyt, Mina Hardin, Julie Robichaux, Nancy Beck, Marna Raburn, Karen Veriato and Jennifer Lazar, are tied for seventh at 12-over 84, seven shots off the lead with 36 holes to play.
Player of the Year Race: The Women’s Senior Player of the Year title is on the line this week, with Ramirez and Hoyt battling for the honor. Ramirez leads Hoyt by 150 points and took the early edge Monday, opening with a 79 to sit two shots off the lead. Hoyt, of Horseshoe Bay, carded an 84 and trails Ramirez by five strokes entering the second round, setting up a pivotal Tuesday in the race.
Weather: Players were treated to mild fall conditions for Monday’s opening round. Temperatures climbed from the mid-60s around the 9 a.m. start to the upper 70s by mid-afternoon under a mix of sun and clouds, with light east winds of 5 to 10 mph. Conditions may turn less cooperative as the week goes on, with rain chances in the forecast for Tuesday and rising later in the week.
Course: Tucked into the rolling hills just northwest of San Antonio, Fair Oaks Ranch has been a cornerstone of Hill Country golf for nearly five decades. The club’s story begins with Ralph E. Fair Sr., the oilman and rancher whose family partnered with developer Don Smith to turn the sprawling ranchland into a residential community built around a private club. When the club opened in 1978, it made its home in Fair’s original 1930s ranch house. That river-rock landmark still anchors the property today, and the community that grew up around it became the city of Fair Oaks Ranch in 1988. The club’s 36 holes are split between two Gary Player designs, the Live Oak and the Blackjack Oak, which wind through native oaks and rugged terrain that rewards accuracy. The championship is being played on the Blackjack Oak, considered the more demanding of the two. The par-72 layout stretches nearly 7,000 yards from the back tees and features a stout collection of par 5s, highlighted by the 576-yard 15th.
Tournament Info: The Women’s Senior Stroke Play is in its 37th year on the TGA schedule. Jennifer Hoyt won the title last year at BraeBurn Country Club in Houston. The championship is a 54-hole stroke play competition with no cut, and 82 players teed off in Monday’s opening round. The 16 players with the lowest handicap indexes must play from the Championship Tees. All other players may select either the Championship Tees or the Flights Tees. Upon completion of Round 2, the Flights Division will be broken into flights based on 36-hole scores.
What’s Next: Round 2 will tee off at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 26 with a shotgun start.
About the TGA: The Texas Golf Association was established in 1906 with a mission to promote the playing and advancement of the royal and ancient game of golf in Texas. The association is one of the most respected in the country with an ongoing commitment to its members, contestants, volunteers, and all who strive to preserve the great traditions of the game.
For more information about the Women’s Senior Stroke Play, Click Here.