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Burkey and Smego Claim Title at 32nd Pacific Northwest Women’s Senior Team

Ginny Burkey of Fircrest, Wash. and Lisa Smego of Olympia, Wash. claimed the 32nd Pacific Northwest Women’s Senior Team Championship, held at Sunriver Resort. The duo cruised to a dominating 16-stroke victory in the event. The 54-hole championship was held on the resort’s Woodlands and Meadows courses, and was conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA).

Ginny Burkey (L) and Lisa Smego
Ginny Burkey (L) and Lisa Smego, winners of the 32nd Pacific Northwest Women’s Senior Team Championship

Burkey and Smego shot 70 in each round of the three-day championship, and were the only team to finish under par. Burkey and Smego were 2-under-par in Monday’s four-ball at the Woodlands Course, and 1-under-par in Tuesday’s Chapman and Wednesday’s four-ball at the Meadows Course.

Although the two players are regular contestants in this championship, this year was the first time they played together as a team.

“We have known each other since we were in college,” Smego said. “She went to Oregon and I went to Washington and we both graduated in the ’70s, so we have known each other for a long time, and it is a lot of fun to play together.”

The two paired together in 2013 to win the Washington State Women’s Best-Ball Championship, and finished second by one shot this year in that championship.

“Lisa is such a great partner,” Burkey said. “We have played in PNGA Cups together, and we know each other’s games pretty well. When we are competitors,
there is no one I would rather lose to by one shot – or beat by one shot – than Lisa.”.

This is the fifth time Burkey has won this championship, tying the record for most wins. She won four consecutive titles from 2008-2011 when partnered with Loree McKay of Portland. Burkey ties Pat Harrop-Schumacher of Sequim, Wash. for the most titles. This is the second title for Smego, having also won it in 2012 while paired with Karen Brannon of Redmond, Wash.

Defending champions Mary Sias of Portland and Jackie Nelson of Hillsboro, Ore. claimed second place this year, posting rounds of 77-72-77. Eloise Carson of Portland and Kathie Morris of Gresham, Ore. posted rounds of 66-61-66 to win the championship’s net division title.