Leach Takes Pride In Winning

U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur

Ocala, Fla. – Martha Stacy Leach, 47, of Hebron, Ky., defeated Laura Coble, 45, of Augusta, Ga., 3 and 2, in the final to win the 2009 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at the 6,173-yard, par-72 Golden Hills Golf and Turf Club.

An Interview With Champion Martha Leach

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Coble, Leach Fine Representatives Of Amateur Golf

Ocala, Fla. – Martha Leach lofted the Mildred Gardiner Prunaret Trophy, the sun glinting off the prize after it finally peeked through the obscuring clouds Thursday.

Leach, 47, of Hebron, Ky., wore the infectious smile that seems to define her. This is what amateur golf is about – smiles that resound from the heart, genuine sportsmanship and immeasurable respect for a game that has always been like some kind of old friend.  

First-Time Finalists: Coble To Meet Leach

In 18-Hole Tilt

Ocala, Fla. – Laura Coble, 45, of Augusta, Ga., and Martha Leach, 47, of Hebron, Ky., advanced to Thursday’s final of the 2009 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at the 6,173-yard, par-72 Golden Hills Golf and Turf Club.

Leach Overcomes More Than Just Derby Grimes

Ocala, Fla. – It must be in the genes. How else to explain Martha Leach’s run to the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur final? The sister of past U.S. Women’s Open champion Hollis Stacy capitalized on shots when she needed them most and wouldn’t relinquish a feeble hold on a lead against a seasoned Virginia Derby Grimes in Leach’s stirring 1-up semifinal round victory Wednesday.

Meet The Quarterfinalists

Laura Coble of Augusta, Ga., has played in the Women’s Mid-Amateur 12 times and advanced as far as the quarterfinals…in sales and marketing of promotional products…husband is Rusty Coble and they have a daughter, Katherine, 15.

Reigning Winner Higgins Bows Out Gracefully

To Another Champion

Ocala, Fla. – On an oppressively hot day, the only coolness emanating from anywhere was in Joan Higgins’ grip on her putter on the ninth hole. The reigning U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion brought the putter back smoothly, but the kinetic energy forward was too much and the 5-footer scooted left of the hole.

A Family Affair

Ocala, Fla. - A gentle breeze fanned Doris Allen, 81, of Greenville, S.C., as she sat in a rocking chair on the clubhouse porch, watching her granddaughter, Jennifer Lucas, stroke practice putts.

The Athlete, Retired

Ocala, Fla. - The athlete, long past the glory days, sits in the sun and watches the players trudge up to the 18th green. The card says 353 yards, but the hole has a long, uphill approach. She remembers so well, blessed and cursed with quick, clear memories humming fast as bees.

And The George Zaharias Award Goes To…

Ocala, Fla. - Consider for a moment that most patient of all spectators at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, the player’s husband.

A Path Altered By Tragedy

Ocala, Fla. – Roger Nedoba sauntered gingerly behind his daughter, a shadow of himself in full pursuit, both caricatures hanging on every shot as if it were yesteryear. If only he could dial back Father Time. If only….

A Championship For The Ages

Ocala, Fla. – The empirical data suggests that the graybeards, so to speak, have taken over the 24th U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. After all, of the 132 players in the field this week at Golden Hills Golf and Turf Club, 40 are under the age of 40. That amounts to 30 percent of the field. For a championship that is open to female players 25 or older, should that warrant concern?