Carmel's Nancy Fitzgerald captured her fifth title of the Indiana Women's Golf Association Mid-Amateur Championship this past week at Rozella Ford.

Fitzgerald matched her first round of even-par 71 for a two-day total of 142 and an eight-shot victory over Kathy Moritz of Marion at 150.

Fitzgerald, an Indiana Golf Hall Of Fame member, got off to a shaky start in the morning.

"I was a little nervous and couldn't get the feel of the greens right away," she said.

She settled down and birdied No. 6. She continued her solid play with eight pars and a birdie on No. 17 for her even-par round.

Fitzgerald said she enjoyed the Rozella Ford layout.

"The par-4's are short," she said. "But in time you think you can take control, and then you come to a long par 3."

After the first day of play, the field was broken into six flights according to score. Those who were crowned flight winners were JoDee Dale of Andrews in the second flight; Nancy Schneider of Mooresville in the third flight; Lois Rundle of Carmel in the fourth flight; Peg VanDenburgh of Indianapolis in the fifth flight and Betty Jo McCutchen of Bloomington in the sixth flight.

Among local competitors, Warsaw's Chris LaLonde shot a 167 to finish 12th in the championship flight; Leesburg's Lois Fleckenstein shot a 165 to end up fourth in the first flight; Warsaw's Marilyn Homme had a 183 as runner-up in the fourth flight; Warsaw's Deborah Nicol was third in the fourth flight with a 187.

PGA Assistant Championship At Stonehenge

Kyle Marsh claimed his second consecutive Indiana PGA Assistant Championship title this week at Stonehenge Golf Club.

Marsh fought for last year's title in a three-hole playoff, but eased into first place this year with a two-shot victory after posting rounds of 71, 70 and 72 for an even-par 213.

Marsh, an assistant pro at Highland Golf & Country Club in Indianapolis, started the day with a two shot deficit to Woodstock Club's Jim Ousley.

Marsh started to take control by sinking a long birdie putt on No. 8 after Ousley's chip shot for birdie hit the flagstick, but stayed out of the hole.

"It was a bomb," Marsh said of his putt. "It was a good 40-50 feet."

He followed it up with another birdie on No. 9 and steady pars through 16. Ousley was struggling with his putter and made several 3-putt bogeys to take himself out of contention and eventually fall to fourth place with a six-over 77.

"I played really solid, especially on the back," Marsh said. "I hit the ball well when I needed to. I was glad to have a three or four shot lead on No. 17."

The lead he had built up helped Marsh to the title as nerves got to him on No. 17 and No. 18. He three-putted both greens but had enough of a cushion for the two shot win. Marsh, who is expecting a second child in February with his wife, was happy to take home the $3,000 prize.

Coffin Golf Course assistant professional MIke O'Toole and HIllcrest Country Club assistant pro Alan Schulte slid into a tie for second with rounds of 1-over 72 and an even-par 71 respectively for a 215 total.

Among local assistants, Randall C. Cesco of Rozella Ford finish in a tie for 26th place with a 234 total. Cesco shot rounds of 75, 78 and 81. Also, Justin Murphy of Tippecanoe Lake Country Club finished in a tie for 57th place at 244. Murphy shot rounds of 80, 82 and 82. [[In-content Ad]]