O'Leary back to defend Nemadji title

The Nemadji Women’s Golf Invitational begins today at Nemadji Golf Course, and stiff competition is expected among the top golfers.

The 11 women in the championship flight tee off on the east-west course with tee times beginning at 8:30 a.m. Norma O’Leary of Silver Bay is attempting to win her third straight title. She has won the event in 1995, 2000, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’07 and ’08.

Deb Showalter, who golfs at Enger Park Golf Course in Duluth, has finished second to O’Leary the past two years. Showalter won her first Nemadji Invitational in 1989 and also won in 1998, 2004 and ’06. O’Leary was second in 2006, one shot behind Showalter. Last year, Showalter finished just one stroke behind O’Leary.

A newcomer this year hoping to challenge the dominance of O’Leary and Showalter is Kelsie Passolt. For years, Passolt led the local high school golf scene with the Hayward Hurricanes. She was the top golfer in the Heart O’ North Conference in 2007 and now plays golf for Northern Illinois University, a Division 1 school.

Other playing in the championship flight are: Julie Hines, Amy Patenaude and Pat Kelly, Nemadji; Jeanne Hawkinson and Erin Pearson, Chisago Lakes; Laura Gregory, Enger Park; Sandy Braegelmann, PGA Golf Club; and Kelly Steen, Luck.

A shotgun start for the 18-hole stroke play event begins at 8:30 a.m. on the north-south course. Golfers 60 years old and younger will be classified in the regular division, while those over 60 years old have the option of playing in the senior division.

This year’s invitational is sponsored by Bud Light-Superior Beverages. Superior Beverages sponsored the event from 1990 to 1997 and again last year. Many local businesses sponsor holes and donate prizes to the raffle to be held after play concludes.

Raffle prizes including a diamond bracelet, wine basket, golf cart, golf packages and more. There will also be two betting holes with the pot split for winners. The betting holes are No. 5 North and No 10 South.

Lunch will be served in the clubhouse following completion of play with trophies, awards and prizes to follow.

2009 Nemadji Women’s Invitational

Wednesday, July 29

Nemadji Golf Course

Regular Division

Championship Flight — Norma O’Leary, Silver Bay; Debbie Showalter, Enger Park; Kelsie Passolt, Black Bear; Jeanne Hawkinson, Chisago Lakes; Julie Hines, Nemadji; Amy Patenaude, Nemadji; Erin Pearson, Chisago Lakes; Laura Gregory, Enger Park; Sandy Braegelmann, PGA Golf Club; Pat Kelly, Nemadji; Kelly Steen, Luck.

First Flight — Jan Maki, Eagle Ridge; Barb Olson, Enger Park; Vicky Schold, Nemadji; Peggy Hanson, Ridgeview; Ginger Smith, Nemadji; Ronda Johnson, Chisago Lakes; Justine Moses, Chisago Lakes; Christine Barschdorf, Nemadji; Julia Bachand, Nemadji; Maureen DeRosier, Enger Park; Karen Wangensteen, Chisago Lakes; Lynn Duncan, Ridgeview.

Second Flight — Jody Raymond, Jody, Ridgeview; Cyndee Johnson, Nemadji; Robin Lindvall, Luck; Judy Davern, Nemadji; Trish Anecki, Nemadji; Pam Klatt, Luck; Carol Grams, Ridgeview; Maureen Zupancich, Ridgeview.

Third Flight — Sandi Wade, Ridgeview; Pat De Briyn, Sun ‘N Lake; Judy McKee, Eagle Ridge; Haley, Vicky, Tag-A-Long; Jan Gellerstedt, Nemadji; Brenda Milinkovich, Nemadji; Nicole Smith, Nemadji; Karen Barschdorf, Nemadji.

Fourth Flight — Cathy Meysman, Nemadji; Moe Miller, Nemadji; Terrie Storlie, Spooner; Linda Boren, Nemadji; Lynn Gilberg, Lester Park; Nan Sauter, Nemadji; Stacy Ernest, Chisago Lakes; Trish Lilliberg, Enger Park; Michelle Rieder, Nemadji; Renna Rychlak, Nemadji; Luann Tedrick, Silver Bay; Joyce Kuehl, Silver Bay.

Fifth Flight — Sandra Thorsell, Enger Park; Rhonda Anderson, Nemadji; Linda Durst, Foster; Sue Larsen, Chisago Lakes; Judy Holden, Cloquet; Penny Graskey, Nemadji; Barb Hoag, Nemadji; Jeanne Eng, Ridgeview; Joan Haugland, Nemadji.

Sixth Flith — Diana Cuzzo, Ridgeview; Donna Larson, Emily Greens; Char Messerich, Chisago Lakes; Laura Bohrer, Chisago Lakes; Sandi Fogo, Lester Park; Teresa Peterson, Ridgeview; Linda Nichols, Spooner; Brenda Palmquist, Chisago Lakes; Gail Bancroft, Emily Greens.

Seventh Flight — Lynda Halstensen, Emily Greens; Kay Hagen, Emily Greens; Chris Jeske, Emily Greens; Jan Zahner, Emily Greens.

2009 Senior Flights

First Flight — Joan Richardson, Pokegama; Pi Peterson, Virginia; Linda Saaristo, Silver Bay; Carol Smith, Lester Park; Jane Hauser, Apostle Highlands; Cheryl Mortensen, Turtleback; Mary Meierotto, Nemadji.

Second Flight — Kathy Nelson, Nemadji; Karen Rausch, Cedar Creek; Jeri Watters, Chisago Lakes; Kathryn Buckwheat, Turtleback; Linda Gallatin, Chisago Lakes; Janet Knutson, Turtleback; Dorothy MLeKoday, Chisago Lakes; Lynda Culley, Nemadji.

Third Flight — Sheila Lysak, Centennial; Evie Seran, Apostle Highlands; Sandra Kailik, Centennial; Gail Erdman, Nemadji; Jane McKinley, Emily Greens; Carol Germann, Emily Greens; Charly Richters, Emily Greens.

Fourth Flight — Jan Gravelle, Chisago Lakes; Ruti Helmen, Emily Greens; Hope Vasseur, Chisago Lakes; Nancy Odden, Lester Park; Eileen Jensen, Emily Greens; Jo-Ann Downs, Spooner.

Fifth Flight — Judy Johnson, Centennial; Joyce Kerr, Centennial; Cynthia Loos, Centennial; Bev Saarimaki, Centennial; Elizabeth Shea, Centennial; Yvonne Sleeman, Centennial; Patti Turcotte, Centennial.

Sixth Flight — Michelle Gustafson, Emily Greens; Joan Elstad, Emily Greens; Jan Jurek, Emily Greens; Phylis Fitzgerald, Silver Bay.

Tags: sports, superior, golf, nemadji