Meghan Bolger Captures Sixth Straight Philadelphia Amateur Title

Story Written By Joe Logan
Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer
Posted: July 17, 2004

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - If the Meghan Bolger Era of local women's golf hadn't already officially begun, it did yesterday as the young South Jersey native won a record sixth straight Philadelphia Amateur title.

In an impressive display of power and composure, Bolger, 26, from Tavistock Country Club in Haddonfield, steamrolled her veteran opponent, Alexandra Frazier, from Gulph Mills Golf Club, 6 and 5, at Riverton Country Club in Cinnaminson.

"It's quite amazing," Bolger, head coach of women's golf at the University of Mississippi, said afterward, finally allowing herself a sigh and a smile after a long day.

Bolger, a onetime LPGA Tour hopeful who plays as much competitive golf as she can during the summer, had already set the record for consecutive wins in the amateur, formerly known as the Match Play Championship, last year. If her opponent yesterday knows anything about it, Bolger's streak could grow for years to come.

"Meghan plays like a professional," said a shell-shocked Frazier, 46, an accomplished player who was making her first trip to the final match. "There is nobody in the area that can play with her. As long as she keeps coming back, she will win this tournament."

With her Ole Miss hat pulled down tight over her brow, Bolger, who has the broad shoulders of a natural athlete and an airtight swing, routinely bombed her tee shots 275 yards or more. Even when she hit a 3-wood off the tee, Bolger was 40 yards beyond Frazier's driver.

During one stretch in the morning 18, from the ninth to the 15th holes, Bolger won seven straight holes as she rattled off three birdies and holed out from 105 yards out for eagle.

By the lunch break, having shot the equivalent of a 3-under-par 70 in the morning round, Bolger enjoyed a commanding 8-up lead over Frazier, who shot the equivalent of 78. The cushion grew to 10 up when Bolger started the afternoon round with par-par to Frazier's bogey-bogey.

But, just when Frazier had every reason to be demoralized, the tide turned. Suddenly, Frazier found her game, carding five pars and a birdie over the next seven holes, while Bolger took a ride on the dreaded bogey train.

On three holes, from just off the green in the rough, Bolger chunked relatively simple chip shots and came up short of the putting surface. She would go on to bogey five of the next seven holes and eight of the next 10, enabling Frazier to cut Bolger's lead to 5 up with six to play.

"I tried to get cute around the green," said Bolger, shaking her head.

Even that was not enough, however. When Bolger sank a three-footer to save par at the 31st hole, victory was hers. She and Frazier shared a hug and a smile.

"Coming into the match, my goal was to not lose by double digits," Frazier said later. "After the morning, I didn't think I would be able to do that. I'm thrilled to be here. There is no shame in losing to her."

For more on Bolger and the Philadelphia Amateur, visit the sports page at www.philly.com

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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