TECUMSEH – The Private Team outscored the Public Team in each of the three rounds and formats to win the 29th Women’s Atlas Trophy Matches at Tecumseh Golf Club.
A 6½-5½ advantage in singles wrapped up the 15-9 win Sunday in the Ryder Cup-style competition between teams of top golfers representing private golf clubs and those who play out of public venues.
The Private Team took the Atlas Trophy back after falling to the Public Team a year ago and now leads the all-time series 15-11 with three ties.
The Women’s Atlas Trophy matches, named for the late Edward Atlas, a noted golf leader in Michigan, were first played in 1989 and have become a competition between GAM members who are members of a private club, and GAM members who do not belong to a private club. The matches are unique in that teams are made up of golfers of all ages, including seniors and juniors.
Shannon Kennedy of Beverly Hills, who is headed to Michigan State University, and Lilia Henkel of Grand Rapids, who is headed to the University of Delaware, were singles winners and part of winning duos in four-ball and foursomes to lead the Private Team in scoring.
Also winning in singles Sunday for the Private team were Kate Brody of Grand Blanc, Oliva Stoll of Haslett, Kimberly Dinh of Midland and Terry Delcamp of Grand Blanc.
The Public Team winners in singles included Katie Chipman of Plymouth, Ariel Chang of Macomb Township, sisters Grace and Bridget Boczar of Canton and Susan Campbell of Kalamazoo.
The Private team started the competition Saturday morning with a 4½-1½ advantage in foursomes, and then in the afternoon scored a 4-2 advantage in four-ball matches for an 8½-3½ lead starting Sunday’s singles matches round.
“It was a phenomenal display of golf,” said Private Team non-playing captain Jean Murray. “A lot of birdies, and wonderful shots and I’m so happy we won.”
Tecumseh Golf Club, which hosted the 1999 Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship, hosted the Atlas Trophy Matches for the first time.
Winning Private Team; front row kneeling, from left, Veronica Haque, Kimberly Dinh, Darci Stocker, Terry Delcamp; back row, from, left, Captain Jean Murray, Sophie Stevens, Kay Zubkus, Kate Brody, Olivia Stoll, Shannon Kennedy, Joan Garety, Danielle Staskowski and Lilia Henkel.
