Bennett Claims Rockford Women's Golf Classic
Aug 10 | Women's Golf
Aug. 10, 2009
LOVES PARK, Ill. (SMU) - SMU golfer Alexis Bennett rallied late to capture her first Greater Rockford Women's Golf Classic title under rainy conditions on Friday, August 7, edging Brittany Atterbury 1-up in a 19-hole match at the Forest Hills Country Club.
Bennett did not lead in the championship final until the 17th hole. Atterbury started the day by winning the first three holes, and kept a solid lead until Bennett closed to within one on No. 13. After Atterbury missed her putt for par on No. 15, the two were tied. Bennett took the lead by one at No. 17, but Atterbury would sink a 45-foot putt on the 18th for a birdie to even things up again and force an extra hole. On the ensuing playoff hole, Atterbury's drive landed into a water hazard to the left of the fairway, opening the door for Bennett, who calmly hit out of a green-side bunker and then putted to within a foot of the cup. Atterbury then conceded the hole and the match.
"This is a great feeling," said Bennett. "It means a lot to me and my family and friends who supported me. I knew it was going to be a grind, and it was."
