Braga Claims 2021 Colorado PGA Women's Championship Title

from The SUMMIT - Colorado PGA Magazine - September 2021

2021 Colorado PGA Professional Champion: Micah Rudosky, PGA

Two-Time Champion Wins at Thorncreek Golf Course

The final round of the Colorado PGA Women’s Championship was nothing short of a nail-biter. Heading into the final 9-holes, it was a tight race between the two-time champion, Alexandra Braga, PGA Instructor at Denver Country Club (2016 & 2017), and past Champion, Tara Morris, PGA Assistant Professional at Country Club at Castle Pines (2018 & 2020) and the 2019 Champion, Sherry Andonian, PGA Instructor at Valley Country Club. Braga had a two-shot lead heading to her tenth hole after carding one-under at the turn, but ultimately was able to cruise home after 3 birdies in a row on 11 through 13. Firing a final round 69 led to Braga’s third Championship win in the last 6 years!

Reigning Champion, Tara Morris, PGA, kept up with Braga and Andonian, posting her own 69 for the day, and also being a new mother herself commented, “Today was hard. It was my son’s first day of daycare today, and I was sad to miss that. Thankfully, I was able to play with two other great women. My goal today was to just make some good swings.” She too admits that she doesn’t find herself having time to practice as much with her now 5-month-old son waiting for her back at home, but “being able to go and compete and see some birdies – that’s great for us new moms,” Morris commented.

Finishing third, Sherry Andonian, PGA, admits that she played “too aggressive. I knew I was within 2 at the turn, and I just started hitting not great shots.” Andonian posted rounds of 69-71 for the 36-hole stroke play championship.

We’d like to thank PGA Head Professional Ryan Bakken and course Superintendent, Doug Fisher at Thorncreek Golf Course, and their staff for hosting, as well as a big thank you to all the LPGA and PGA Professionals and Associates who came out to play this year! “Sherry came in on that back nine and was definitely putting pressure on me. Tara too – she came in hot on the back as well, which made things fun,” Braga stated when asked how the round wrapped up. While she’ll tell you that day one's round was certainly easier for her than day 2, she was able to learn from her mistakes. “I took a bogey on 11 on Monday, but today I was able to come back and make a birdie.” And that’s where the momentum started for Braga. Birdies followed her on 12 and 13. Braga is eager to take this win home to her twoyear-old daughter, Charlie. “She’s starting to putt, she’s starting to understand what I do, and it makes things like today mean more to me.” Being a new mom has definitely made a difference in her game, as she finds herself more eager to get home to baby Charlie, opposed to hitting golf balls after her last lesson these days. But after posting red numbers both days, you would never know she’s spending less time on the course. “We’re in a different place in our lives now, so it feels good to come out and play good golf,” Braga mentioned as she wrapped up her day.