DUNCAN — Taylor Kim fell one stroke shy of securing the first repeat B.C. Women’s Amateur golf championship since Kira Meixner managed the feat in 2007-08, coming oh-so-close to the achievement on another sizzling hot day at Duncan Meadows Golf and Country Club on Friday afternoon.
Yet, there was hardly a hint of disappointment in her voice as the 20-year-old Kent State University senior knew she was about to hand off the prestigious Flumerfelt Cup to her younger sister Michelle, 17, who will be attending the University of Idaho in September.
For much of the day, Taylor stared down the course record of 5-under 67, which is held by Paula Creamer, the LPGA star who recorded that round at an American Junior Golf Association Future Links event in 2002.
Taylor was 7-under for the day after 12 holes before bogeys got her at the 13th, 15th and 17th holes to settle on a 4-under 68.
Her 286 total over the four rounds was just the one shot shy of Michelle’s 285 thanks to solid rounds of 72, 71, 70 and finally a 1-under 71 on Friday.
“I’m very happy. I started off with an eagle which really helped with my mental [game] and score, overall,” said Michelle, who was 2-under after nine holes and recorded pars on the entire back nine, except for a bogey on 14.
“It was a nice and easy day for me, but on the 16th hole I heard Taylor was tied with me [overall]. It was nerve-racking because I know how aggressive she can get. It ended up unfortunate for her because she finished up with a couple of bogeys.”
But both enjoyed the outcome, just the same.
“I had it, the first nine holes, 5-under,” Taylor said of her run that included birdies on holes 1, 3, 4, 7 and 9. She added two more on 10 and 12 before she stumbled. “That’s a really good score for the first nine. Then I made three bogeys coming in, which is a little disappointing. But I played great today, I’m really happy.”
More so for her little sister.
“I know how it feels to win this kind of an event, having won it last year. I know she worked really hard for this with my dad while I was at school,” Taylor said of Michelle. “I know how much effort she put in to win this and I’m so proud of her.”
That pride was felt both ways.
“It’s going to be very inspirational,” Michelle said of accepting the trophy from last year’s champ and elder sibling. “She’s always been my biggest role model, on and off the golf course. For me, it’s going to be really something to have both our names on that trophy.”
The Surrey pair finished 1-2 while Gloria Choi of Langley took third in a playoff over Alisha Lau of Richmond as they both finished at 290. Choi had a final-round 71 to Lau’s 73.
The Kim sisters and Choi will represent B.C. at the upcoming Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at Riverside Golf Club in Saskatoon.
Victoria’s Naomi Ko, of Royal Colwood, was fifth as her 1-under 71 left her at 296 (the top Islander), one ahead of Annie Lee of Surrey and two up on a group of five golfers tied for seventh at 298 which included 15-year-old Shirin Anjarwalla of Nanaimo Golf Club and veteran Christina Spence Proteau of Port Alberni.
“I’m happy with it,” Ko said of her 71, which could have been a 70 if not for bogey on 17. “My ball striking was better today and I was able to find more fairways.”
“I’m happy with the 73. I had it to 1-under after 13, but there were a couple of unfortunate shots towards the end,” said Anjarwalla, who had an impressive 70 on Thursday.
Anjarwalla and champion Michelle Kim will next be in the strong field at the B.C. Junior Girl’s championship which starts on Tuesday at Cordova Bay.
