Pettersen fires 71 (-1), takes early lead at 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur

Sunnyside Golf and Country Club, located in Waterloo, is where the Iowa Women’s Amateur started, and is this year’s host that marks the 100th playing of the event.

North Liberty’s very own Bella Pettersen (above) took charge in the opening round as she was the only player in the field to shoot under par. Pettersen carded a 71 (-1) and credited the round to her putting.

“I work tremendously hard on my putting and I don’t think I’ve ever seen more putts drop in my life that is for sure,” Pettersen said. 

Pettersen had a total of four birdies on the day and hopes to continue to keep that momentum going into the next two rounds.

“I will continue to focus on what went well and what I need to work on,” Pettersen also added.

Not too far behind in second, University of Iowa women golfer Paula Miranda, who shot a respectable 74 (+2). There is a three way tie for third at 75 (+3) between Ana Nacos, Ainsley Wilson, and Annika Patton.

In the Open Division it is anybody’s tournament. Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson sits at the top of the leaderboard after carding a 78 (+6). Only one shot behind is Amy Weiland shooting a 79 (+7), and there is a two-way tie for third between Geri Huser and Rosalie Kubesheski at 80 (+8).

New to the field this year was an 18-hole Professional Division. The field may have been small but each one of them were glad to have participated in the 100th Women’s Amateur. Taking home the victory was Cedar Falls’ very own Hannah Bermel (right) carding an 81 (+9). Runner-up shooting 83 (+11) was Chelsea Soda, and two shots behind her was Morgan McMillan. Tess Goudy had a smile on her face the whole round and brought it home carding a 97 (+25), good for fourth place overall.

Click here for Round One results

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