Simpson Advances to State Amateur Final

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July 13, 2006

Charlottesville, VA – Virginia junior golfer Kristen Simpson (Norfolk) will meet Carol Green of Tazewell in the final match for the Virginia State Golf Association’s Women’s Amateur Championship Friday. The 18-hole match-play final will start at 9:10 a.m. at Farmington Country Club.

Simpson won a pair of matches Thursday to make it to the finals. She posted a 4 and 3 win against Manakin-Sabot’s Stephanie Hicks in the quarters, and bested 18-year-old Sarah Havey (Forest) by the same count in the afternoon.

Against Hicks, Simpson won Nos. 9 and 10 with pars to gain a 3-up advantage. Despite seeing her lead reduced to 2-up after No. 11, Simpson had the answer, claiming Nos. 12 and 14 with pars to advance. A win against Hicks, the three-time defending VSGA Women’s Stroke Play champion, admittedly gave Simpson momentum heading into her second match.

“That was a huge confidence boost because Stephanie is such a great player,” Simpson said. “It showed me that I can compete with any of these players. It was awesome.”

In her afternoon encounter against Harvey, Simpson holed an 8-footer for birdie at the par-5 seventh to go 2 up and won No. 8 to take a 3-up lead at the turn and never looked back, moving her lead to 4 up with a par at No. 11. With the inherent uncertainties that are a part of match play, Simpson has played steadily throughout the week and has not trailed in any of her matches.

“It’s all about controlling the nerves,” said Simpson, who plays at Cedar Point Country Club in Suffolk. “I think everyone is nervous – you can’t not be. But you just have to use it in the right way to help you. I think I did a great job of that today, so that was exciting.”

Note: Some information provide by the Virginia State Golf Association.