Aimee Neff Wins Illinois Women's Open
7/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
July 28, 2008
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's golf rising sophomore Aimee Neff continued her strong play this summer, winning the 14th Illinois Women's Open on Saturday at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, Ill. Neff took the title by six strokes with a three-round total of eight-under par 208.
Neff, a second team All-Big Ten selection in the spring, was third after an opening round even par 72, but took control of the tournament with a second round seven-under 65, which was the Illinois Women's Open and Mistwood course record. She held off the competition in the final round by shooting an one-under 71, to top former Illinois golfer and current professional Seul Ki Park by six shots.
"This is the biggest event I've ever won and it will give me a lot of confidence going into the Big Ten season," said Neff. "I never played a course like this, and I really like the way Mistwood was set up, it required a lot of thinking and strategy and I certainly learned a few things here this weekend."
In addition to Neff, many other Spartan golfers are having tremendous success this summer. This past week, rising junior Laura Kueny tied for the seventh at the Tournament of Champions held July 21-23 at Boyne Mountain's Alpine course in Boyne Mountain, Mich. Kueny was the top female finisher and also the top amateur in the field, after shooting a six-under par 210 (71-69-70). A week earlier, Kueny tied for first in the stroke play portion of the 78th Women's TRANS Amateur Championship at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, Texas with an even par 144 (68-76). As the No. 1 seed in the match play bracket, Kueny advanced to the round of 16 before losing to eventual runner-up Lindy LaBauve.
Earlier in July, rising senior Holly Niederkohr advanced to the round of 32 at the 106th North & South Women's Amateur Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 and No. 8. Niederkohr was the No. 55 seed entering the match play bracket after a qualifying round score of nine-over 154 (73-81). She went on to upset No. 10 seed Katie Miller in 19 holes in the first round.
