Local golfers dominate MWGA State Am at Dancing Rabbit

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
June 16, 2004
CHOCTAW Women's golf in Meridian is obviously pretty stout.
Three of the eight quarterfinalists in the 71st annual Mississippi Women's Golf Association's State Amateur Championship at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club call Meridian home. In the trio are nine-time State Am champion Lou Hart, 2000 champion Pam Posey, and 2004 girls' junior State Am champion Leigh Phillips.
In this morning's quarterfinals, frequent area tournament partners Posey and Phillips go head-to-head, while Hart takes on 2002 champion Amanda Mathis of Picayune.
The other quarterfinals find Alexis Rather of Tupelo taking on Jane Gatlin and nine-time champion Cissye Gallagher of Greenwood playing Shannon Adams of Columbus.
Quarterfinal winners in the championship flight return for semifinal action this afternoon at approximately 3 p.m.
In Tuesday's play, Hart took a three-hole lead through the first seven holes and held on to defeat Marlyn Tyler 4 and 3.
Hart's last State Am title came in 1990.
Mathis, a freshman at Mississippi State, cruised to a 9 and 7 win over Sharon Anderson.
Phillips pulled away from Jan Lacy to take a 6 and 5 win.
Posey knocked off Teresa Dottley 3 and 2.
The day's shocker and only upset in the championship flight saw Adams, the No. 16 seed, oust defending champion Renee Chastain of Brandon on the first playoff hole. Adams won a four-player playoff on Monday to secure the final berth in the championship flight.
Rather, a freshman at LSU, routed Mary Beth Bolen 8 and 7.
Gatlin defeated Mississippi State women's golf coach and 1992 champion Christi Sanders on the second playoff hole.
Gallagher led by four holes shortly after the turn en route to a 4 and 2 victory over Sheila Haynes.
Gallagher had help from her husband, PGA Tour pro Jim Gallagher, in Tuesday's round.