Illinois Women’s Amateur Championship: Brick advances to round of 32
By Tommy Stokke For Sun-Times Media June 12, 2012 10:30PM
Ursula Zenker, of Crete, tees off on No. 1 Tuesday during the Illinois Women's Amateur Championship at Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood. | Gary Middendorf~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: July 14, 2012 6:47AM
Sylvie Brick has golfed in a big tournament before — the state finals to be exact.
So it should come as no surprise that Brick wasn’t shaken after a rough start.
Brick overcame four bogeys and a double-bogey to begin her round to slide into the championship field of 32 with a qualifying round of 82 in the Illinois Women’s Golf Association Women’s Amateur Championship at Ravilsoe Country Club.
“I got off to a really slow start,” she said. “It wasn’t ideal, but I just kept my head down and started making pars. I know there’s always tomorrow.”
Brick, who finished seventh individually in state, led Marian Catholic to a sixth-place finish in Class AA.
“This is definitely a big deal, but you just try to have the same attitude about every tournament,” she said. “I really enjoy this golf course. It’s just an honor to be here surrounded by some really good players.
Despite her poor start, Brick isn’t discouraged heading into the field of 32.
“I don’t feel like my swing was that bad or that I was hitting the ball poorly. I just didn’t score really well. It could’ve been better, but it could’ve been worse.”
Brick advances to the championship flight set up in a match-play tournament. The round of 32 will be played Wednesday morning, followed by the round of 16 in the afternoon. The remaining eight tee off Thursday morning, with the final four to square off in the afternoon. The championship match tees off at 9:20 a.m. Friday.
Joining Brick in the championship round is Homewood-Flossmoor’s Michelle Mayer.
Mayer, who just finished her freshman season at the University of Illinois, shot a 74.
“It was a little frustrating,” she said of her round. “I had three three-putts on the front nine. I battled back on the back nine, but my first birdie wasn’t until 17. I was just saving them for tomorrow I guess.
“I wasn’t thrilled with my score, but it keeps me in contention. The most important thing today was qualifying.”
Mayer hopes to take advantage of her experience competing in college tournaments in the Big Ten.
“I’m normally used to longer courses, and if I putt better the rest of the tournament I think I’ll produce better scores,” she said.
Mayer’s sister, Rachel, missed the cut in a six-person playoff after an 84. Because of a hip injury, Rachel, a Loyola golfer, hadn’t been able to practice as much as she would’ve liked leading up to the tournament.
“It was tough to finish holes, especially with my short game,” she said.
