Sports

Wire-to-wire

• Fourteen-year-old Mariah Stackhouse started off the Georgia State Women’s Amateur Championship as the leader, maintained that lead on Day 2 and after defeating defending champ Laura Coble in a playoff in the final round, she ended where she began: No. 1.

Derek Barichello

ALBANY —When 14-year-old Mariah Stackhouse putted in for par on No. 18 to defeat five-time champion Laura Coble in a three-hole playoff to clinch the 79th annual Georgia State Women’s Amateur Championship at Stonebridge Golf & Country Club on Thursday, one thing became very clear to everyone who stood and watched: Something special just happened.

As Stackhouse received congratulations and posed for pictures after not only winning — but leading wire-to-wire — the accomplishment hit her: At just 14, she stood atop all female amateur golfers in Georgia.

“It’s my biggest win,” said Stackhouse, who won the Georgia Junior Open and was second in the Greater Atlanta Open earlier this year. “I mean, it’s the Georgia Women’s Amateur. It’s the biggest tournament in Georgia for women. I really can’t believe it, it’s an honor. It’s awesome.”

And the build-up was just as sensational.

After 18 holes, Stackhouse and Coble were tied as Americus’ Kathryn Fowler finished regulation in third place four strokes off the pace, while Georgia signee Tess Fordham — who started the day in second — finished seven behind, setting up a playoff between Stackhouse and Coble to settle the title.

Ignoring the “no spectators in carts” rule for the tournament, a convoy of about 20 golf carts followed the playoff, knowing — regardless of who came out on top — tournament history was going to be made.

While Stackhouse was vying to become what was believed to be the youngest to win in the tournament’s 79-year history, according to the Georgia Women’s Golf Association, Coble was trying to capture a record-tying sixth title.

However, it did not take long for the crowd to see which way the compass of history would point.

Coble’s first tee shot in the playoff bounced into a hazard, forcing her to take a drop and resulting in a penalty. Coble completed the hole with a triple bogey.

Stackhouse, meanwhile, came away with a smooth par — and a commanding lead.

“I let my hip and my leg get a little bit cold and I didn’t realize,” said the 44-year old Coble, who had knee surgery over the winter. “I stood up on that tee and I took a couple of swings and I didn’t realize. I hit one of those tee shots every round making the turn. I should’ve known better.”

Stackhouse, who is undefeated in playoff holes according to her father and caddie Ken Stackhouse, remained calm and parred the next two holes to remain perfect.

“It did take a lot of pressure off me,” Mariah Stackhouse said. “Actually, I knew if I could par the next two ... I’d win it.”

But before Stackhouse won the playoff, she had to make a comeback.

Donning a final-round blazing red shirt and Nike belt buckle — the same as her golf hero Tiger Woods— Stackhouse actually trailed by two strokes heading into the final two holes.

However, the teen phenom did what was necessary, paring Nos. 17 and 18, while Coble bogeyed both.

On No. 18, Coble — who held a one-stroke lead — had a chance to clinch it but hit her shot just short of the green into the sand trap, while Stackhouse’s ball rested comfortably on the green.

When Coble made the green, she missed a putt just right of the cup to save par and Stackhouse two-putted to force the playoff.

“I figured that was it (to win it) unless there was something going on with the group in front of us that I wasn’t aware of,” Coble said of her putt on No. 18 for par. “I had a great tee shot every day here and even the last time I played it. I just got unlucky (to hit it into the sand trap). It just didn’t come out like I thought it would this time.”

Interestingly enough, while Stackhouse was making her charge, she was unaware of the scores.

“When I finished my round, I didn’t know who won,” Stackhouse said. “There was a lot of suspense. I know I was close to (Laura). But (Thursday) I wasn’t playing too well and when I’m not playing too well, I’d like to not know where I’m at that way I’m able to focus better.”

But when Stackhouse heard she was going to be in a playoff, that's when her adrenaline rose and her competitive edge took over.

“I reminded her of her very strong playoff record,” Ken Stackhouse said. “She knew it. It comes from her match play (at the U.S. Junior Amateur). It’s just when she gets 1-on-1 against someone, it brings out the best in her. Now, after going through that process, she sincerely believes she can win it.”

As for Coble, who missed out on a chance to tie Janet Olp with six titles, she said she will just have to wait another year.

“I’m disappointed but not devastated,” Coble said. “It was a great week for me. It’s been a year of rebuilding. I’m still working on getting 100 percent but I'll be back."

But if Stackhouse returns as well, like she said she would, circle the date on your calendars next year's event at Idle Hour Country Club in Macon on June 23-25 could be even better.

"I wish more of the younger golfers would come out," Coble said. "It was a joy to play with Mariah. She's very talented. (She's) the future of golf."

More Sports>>