The final match of the CLG Women’s Match Play Championship, presented by Granite Garage Floors Kansas City, was completed Wednesday morning at Firekeeper Golf Course.
The match was played between Kate Tilma and Kiser Pannier. Tilma, an incoming Sophomore transfer to the Wichita State University Women’s Golf Team, earned medalist honors after shooting 73 in Monday’s Stroke Play Qualifying round. She went on to defeat Elizabeth Grant 5&4 during the round of 16, Brooke King 5&3 during the Quarter-Finals, and Allison Comer 6&5 in the Semi-Finals.
Pannier, a rising sophomore on the Missouri State Women’s Golf Team, shot 78 in Monday’s Stroke Play Qualifier, “I wanted to be seeded really high and ultimately lost focus of just going out and finding pars,” Pannier said, “Going into Match Play, I knew that my score doesn’t matter, and neither did my seeding.”
She proved herself right.
Pannier defeated Hannah Robinett 2&1 during the round of 16, Jaylee Castro 3&2 during the Quarter-Finals, and Liz Lyons 7&5 during the Semi-Finals, gaining her the momentum she needed going into the Final Match. “Knowing I could make birdies and eagles, I felt really confident going into the Final Match,” Pannier said.
The Final Match was very back-and-forth between Tilma and Pannier. Pannier would win a hole and Tilma would tie the match on the next, going into 18, the match was tied. Tilma made par and Pannier made birdie, winning her the match 1 up.
“This was one of the most mentally grueling matches I’ve ever played,” Pannier claimed, ” Kate is a very strong player with a great game, so I knew that today would be a grind. This win means a lot to me. I had a great Freshman year at Missouri State but towards the end of the Spring season, I fought mentally and physically with my golf game. I ultimately lost a lot of confidence and so knowing that I persevered these last couple of months just validates that I am a high-level player and that I have the skill and talent to win.”
