Womens Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania

South Hills Country Club played host to the 2016 WGAWP Championship commencing with the Bobby Cruickshank Memorial Tournament qualifying round.  Mackenzie Fouse of Sewickley Heights took medalist honors with a low gross score of 75.  The low 16 players, including defending champion Mia Kness (who waived her opportunity to win the Cruickshank trophy in exchange for the top seed), were placed in the Championship flight.  This year, remaining golfers were placed in flights by their handicap index and seeded within the flight by their qualifying scores to continue the match play portion of the event.

The Low Net winner from the Cruickshank Memorial was Rebecca Lee (South Hills) with a 68.  Vicki McDevitt (Youghiogheny) bested Vicky Thatcher (South Hills) for runner-up on a match of cards, both shooting net 73.

Despite hot and humid weather throughout the week, participants enjoyed perfect course conditions.  Special thanks to Nevillewood delegate Serena Gozion and her crew of volunteers, Tournament Director Christine Haythorn and Tournament Administrator Kim Kness for ensuring that the tournament ran smoothly and no detail was overlooked.    

By the end of the week, it was a case of "youth served" as Seton Hall junior Mackenzie Fouse celebrated her first WGAWP title toppling defending champion Mia Kness (and future Seton Hall teammate) by a score of 1-up.  Tied after 17 holes, Fouse dropped a tricky putt from above the 18th hole for a birdie to clinch the championship in dramatic fashion. 

Fouse's  path to the finals included a 4 and 3 win over Carol Onufro, a 19 hole defeat of Jane Wymer; and a 3 and 1 win over Danielle Proctor in the semi-finals.

Kness's march to the finals began with a forfeit win over Virginia Ley, a 5 and 4 decision over Hee Soo Kim and a come-from-behind 19-hole decision over Carol Semple Thompson.

Mary Pat Bielich (Nemacolin) came back from 2-down to defeat Sally Sheerer (Ligonier) and claim the Flight 1 title.

Serena Gozion (South Hills) never trailed in her match but needed all 18 holes to record a 2-up victory over fellow South Hills competitor Rebecca Lee in Flight 2.

All finalists were recognized and received their awards at a delicious champions' champagne luncheon during which Champion Mackenzie Fouse took the microphone to thank her family for their support, the WGAWP for a great tournament experience and Danielle Proctor (whom Fouse dispatched in the semi-finals) for introducing her to Western!  

Next year's championship will be conducted at Allegheny Country Club.