Tess Blair Has a Triumphant Victory at The Utah Women’s State Amateur Championship
Tess Blair held the belief that embracing a fearless approach to golf would secure her victory in the 117th Utah Women’s State Amateur Championship. She proved herself right with her swing on the 17th hole on Friday.
In a pivotal moment, Tess Blair’s exceptional iron shot added to her collection of brilliant plays, securing a 2-and-1 triumph over Grace Summerhays in the 18-hole final match. The prestigious Jeremy Ranch Golf & Country Club, hosting the Women’s State Am for the first time, witnessed Tess Blair clinch her second title and mark the third championship trophy within a decade.
The Blairs, consisting of Sirene and Tess, have a collective total of three state amateur wins. Robert Blair, who served as Tess’s caddy, shared his admiration for his daughters’ remarkable achievement. He reflected on the journey of teaching them golf from ages eight and 12, cherishing these exceptional moments.
Tess Blair will attempt to defend her title at the upcoming Siegfried & Jensen Utah Women’s Open, set to commence in Provo. Subsequently, she will embark on her graduate studies at Iowa State while extending her college golf career into a fifth year. She will stay loyal to Sacramento State for her fifth and final year of college golf.
Tess’ first win in the Utah State Amateur Championship came when she was only 17. Since then, Tess had lost in the semifinals three times before she reclaimed her title in 2023. The return to the winner’s circle after many well-fought losses made this win extremely special for Tess.
Blair established a 3-hole advantage through eight holes and, while she didn’t claim additional holes, she maintained her lead throughout. Even though she lost the par-4 hole 12, where Summerhays executed a remarkable approach shot, Blair’s sharp play and consistency prevented Summerhays from mounting a full-fledged comeback. Blair’s precision with her approach shots was a testament to her strength in iron play, as many of her shots landed within 10 feet of the pin.
The tone for the final match was set early on the first hole, where Summerhays encountered a mishap with a hole location sheet, resulting in a missed par putt and a loss of the hole. From that point, Tess Blair maintained her advantage, demonstrating unwavering determination to retain her lead. Blair’s fearless approach persisted, culminating in a crucial 6-iron shot on hole 17 that left her with an 8-foot putt for a clinching par.
Reflecting on her growth since her earlier victory in 2018, Tess Blair acknowledged her transformation. This when will help her move on from the “little 17-year-old” who triumphed at Bonneville Golf Course.
As for the future, the 118th Women’s State Am will take place at TalonsCove Golf Club. While Tess Blair remains uncertain about her whereabouts a year from now, she is determined to leave her mark if this indeed marks her final appearance.
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