By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Kristen Smith entered the final round of the Northern Kentucky Women’s Amateur on Tuesday with a two-stroke lead, but bogeys on two of the first three holes shook the 20-year-old golfer’s confidence a little bit.
That’s when Smith was glad she asked her boyfriend, Tim Cooper, to caddy for her during the two-day tournament at Eagle Creek Country Club. He knew just what to say to get her back on track.
“I just told her to slow down and swing smooth and good things would happen,” Cooper said. “That’s all she had to do. Then her putts started dropping, too.”
Smith birdied two of the next three holes to offset her shaky start and went on to win her second Amateur title with a 36-hole total of 140 that was four strokes under par.
After shooting 5-under 67 in the first round, Smith carded a 1-over 73 in the final round to claim the Amateur’s traveling trophy. Nadine Innes was runner-up with a 70-74-144, followed by Jill Edgington with a 69-78-147.
“I shot six strokes higher (Tuesday) than the first day,” Smith said. “I just didn’t get off to the right start. I think I was a little nervous and the putts weren’t falling, but I made it work in the end.”
Smith, a senior on the Northern Kentucky University women’s golf team, won her first Amateur title in 2012 when the final round was match play. The format was changed to stroke play last year and she tied for third place. The Pendleton County resident topped this year’s field of 48 golfers by following a conservative strategy on the Eagle Creek course.
“I had the same game plan as (Monday),”she said. “I didn’t hit my driver very much, just to keep out of trouble. On the back nine, I just wanted to play it nice and smooth and hit fairways and greens so I didn’t try to force anything.”
Edgington, a sophomore on the Centre College women’s golf team, made an eagle putt on the first hole of the back nine to pull within two strokes of the leader. But Edgington fell out of contention when she carded a 7 on the par-3 No. 15 hole.
“When Jill took a 7 there that kind of eased the pressure a little bit,” Smith said. “I knew there was a little more of a cushion and that helped me stay relaxed on the last three (holes).”
Innes, an incoming freshman on Murray State University golf team, moved into second place with a par on No. 15 and birdie on No. 16, but she was still too far back to catch the leader.
“She played really well (Monday) and really consistent (Tuesday),” Innes said of Smith. “I’m just happy with how I played, regardless of the standings.”
After she finished the 18th hole of the final round, Smith gave her boyfriend caddy a big hug for helping her get through the tough times earlier in the day.
“I couldn’t be more proud of her,” Cooper said. “She handled it a lot better than I could, that’s for sure.”
2015 N. KY WOMEN’S AMATEUR
Top scores after 36 rounds of stoke play
Kristen Smith 67-73 — 140
Nadine Innes 70-74 — 144
Jill Edgington 69-78 — 147
Sharon Voelker 75-76 — 151
Libby Moses 76-77 — 153
Lisa Houchen 78-78 — 156
Courtney Tierney 77-80 — 157
Laura Schild 78-80 — 158
Deana Clarke 80-81 — 161
Hannah Scroggins 77-85 — 162
Lori Eberle 79-84 — 163
Becky Claypool 81-83 — 164