We're proud of Salley!

Salley loses out to a college kid 50 years her junior, but we’re still proud!

From the Rockford paper:

"Using borrowed clubs and a new putter [her clubs were stolen out of her car], Hui Chong Dofflemyer held off 13-time Greater Rockford Women’s Golf Classic champion Salley Wessels 1-up Tuesday at Forest Hills Country Club to get her shot at Brittany Atterbury in Thursday’s semifinals.

“Salley took me all the way to 18, and it wasn’t easy. I had to sink a 30-foot putt for birdie to win it,” said Dofflemyer, who has never won the Women’s City tourney. “I was just happy to get through against Salley. And now it won’t get any easier.”

Atterbury, the Northern Iowa University junior who shot a course-record 68 on Monday, had a hole-in-one on No. 4 and lipped out an eagle putt at six while knocking off Erin Gorman 2-and-1 to move on. After reaching the quarterfinals of the State Women’s Amateur this spring, Atterbury is now looking to improve on her First Flight victory in this last year’s tourney.

“I have been close in this tournament before, but it’s just never clicked all the way,” the 20-year-old said. “I’m playing solid, and I just have to keep playing my game. Hui Chong is a tough player, though. She grinded it out over Salley today, and that’s saying a lot.” "

HT Murray, Lynne and my brother-in-law who all forwarded Salley's story.

Classmate makes us all proud

From Sept. 15 Rockford Star:

“Salley Wessels has won seven women’s Illinois Senior Amateur golf titles. No. 8 would be especially great for the defending champ because this year’s tournament is Tuesday through Thursday at Timber Pointe.

“You are so proud of the courses around here, it’s nice for other people to get to experience what you get to,” Wessels, a 13-time Rockford Women’s City champ, said. “It also helps you realize how lucky we are around here.” . . .

Wessels, 69, remains competitive against the over-50 crowd. She also qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur and will fly out immediately after Thursday’s final round. She will miss the first of two practice rounds at the U.S. senior to play in the Illinois Women’s Senior.

“I haven’t lost any distance yet,” Wessels said. “I still hit my 5-iron 160 yards. Of course, I still do some weight lifting, especially during the winter. I don’t want to think of it too much. It could be depressing.

“I don’t get into the age thing so much, but it makes me feel good that I can still play with them. It makes me realize how many new people come into the state senior when people reach the age limit. There isn’t any tournament I can play in any more where I’m the younger. If I’m going to play, I’ve got to be able to keep up.”

Murray T (class of 56) reported on the 22nd: Salley finished 5th out of 118 in the Women's Illinois Senior Amateur. She's now traveling to Tulsa, Ok to play in the USGA Women's Senior Amateur ( 9/20-9/25) which she qualified for in August.