Laura Shanahan

Tenacious Laura Shanahan, 42, of Beford, N.H., defeated Mina Hardin, 41, of Ft. Worth, Texas, 4 and 3, to win the 2001 United States Women's Mid-Amateur Championship at the 6,191-yard, par 72 Fox Run Golf Club in Eureka, Mo.

Playing the scheduled 18-hole match in a steady drizzle, Shanahan became the first New Hampshire golfer to win a national women's amateur championship conducted by the United Sates Golf Association.

"I'm absolutely amazed that I actually accomplished it," said Shanahan. "Especially in the conditions today. The rain made the greens tough and I didn't know if they'd hold or if the ball would run through them."

In the final matchm after winning the first hole with a par 4, Shanahan never trailed. She went 2 up at the 3rd hole when Hardin made a double-bogey. Then Shanahan double-bogeyed the 6th and dropped to 1 up.

Both players agreed that the turning point of the match was the par-5 9th. After Shanahan made a bogey 6, Hardin missed a three-foot par putt that would have evened the match.

"I thought for sure that she was going to win the hole," said Shanahan. "I had to make her make that putt to test her nerves and finish out the hole."

Shanahan captured the 11th, 13th and 14th holes with pars to jump to a 4-up lead with four holes to play. When both players parred the 15th, the match was over.

Shanahan, an artist, began competing relatively late at the age of 34. Seven years ago she made list of goals, one of which was winning a USGA championship.

"It's very satisfying to accomplish what I set out to do seven years ago," she said.

But Hardin, a former professional who regained her amateur status in 1989, was undaunted by her loss.

"I'm on cloud nine right now, I'm so happy," she said. "She was very steady. She didn't miss many fairways and greens."

Also advancing to the semifinals were Sherry Herman, of Marlboro, N.J., and Anna Schultz, of Richardson, Texas, the runner-up in 2000.