DeVonne Mowry marches to Match Play title
DeVonne Mowry found a very playable Links at Whitmore Lake hosting the 2007 Match Play Championship and took advantage by playing very well over 3 days and claiming the prestigious Match Play title. Mowry outlasted Thom Bales in the Sunday afternoon final 2&1 to become the 4th ladies major champion on the Mulligan Tour. Bob Bruning won the consolation match 1-up taking Jason Rectenwald to the 18th hole to decide 3rd place. In the morning semi-finals, Mowry dispatched Bruning 4&3 while Bales was getting the better of Rectenwald 4&2.
Saturday’s 2nd round saw all 4 top seeds fall. Bruning took a quick 3 hole lead on Greg Kline and shot a gross 4-over par thru 15 holes never giving the defending champ a chance to get back in it. “Old Tom” Litzler was 7-down after 8 holes as the Mowry train kept on chuggin’. Mowry charged out of the gate with 2 birdies in the first 5 holes and a Litzler “come-back” ran out of holes 6&5.
Bales held a 1-hole lead at the turn Saturday, and then took the 12th, 13th, and 15th holes to finish Kelly Arnold 4&3. In Saturday’s closest match, Rectenwald sank a long putt on 18 to beat Rick Persichetti 1-up. An even match through 8 holes, Rectenwald won the 9th, 10th, and 11th to go 3-up. “Perch” fought back taking the 13th, 15th, and 17th with pars setting up the 18th hole finale.
The Friday opening round saw Mowry pull away from Dick Spiers 4&3 while Bruning defeated last year’s runner-up Dan Schwartz 3&2. Jason Rectenwald kept Erik Meland winless in Match Play competition (0-5) winning 3&2 and Bales defeated Tom Moran 2&1.
