By Scott McBreen
Special to the Highline Times

Local golfer, Mallory Kent playing out of Rainier Golf and Country Club, took the Washington State Women's Amateur golf championship Thursday at Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club by one shot over Jordan Ferreira and Chessey Thomas.

Mallory, who started the wet, final round with a two shot cushion, quickly watched it evaporate on Twin Lake's narrow home and tree-line layout. So narrow it could be said the homeowner's kids think the bunkers are sandboxes.

A clutch up and down on her ninth hole sparked a rally. A few holes later, on the tough 14th, she birdied while Thomas double-bogied for a three shot swing.

On the final tee, her 18th (the club's ninth) the large sloping green is snuggled into the hillside protected by water on the right and large bunkers left and right. The clubhouse rises above this stage for a commanding view of the finish. Kent chose a 4-iron lacing it straight

down the middle while her opponent found the water.

Nursing a one-shot lead at this point, she hit her nine-iron a little weak right leaving her some 60 feet to negotiate in two shots. Ferreira took a drop, nudged her ball up towards the green and holed her wedge shot to finish with a par. Mallory and her caddy, brother Patrick, had to find the right angle over a hogback ridge down to the hole. Where ever she was looking it must have been misjudged. Her first putt left her with 13 feet, breaking a good four feet. With sheer will she holed the putt for the one shot victory. Mallory's final round 76, in the three round tournament, bested an elite field of 40 of the state's best women golfers.

It was a bittersweet victory for Mallory who finished 2nd at her home club last year after incurring a penalty for slow play in her second round. With her brother and mental coach, Patrick, caddying both years, this victory felt avenging for both. "Patrick and I make a great team," Mallory quipped. "He reads the putts well and I knocked them in when needed," she added.

The Kent family resides in Tukwila where Mallory played and practiced at Foster Golf Links starting at age 11. Besides her brother Patrick, her coaches over the years include pro Ted Naff, Foster High coach Joe Langer (now at Glen Acres) and lately, master teacher Joe Thiel out of Olympia.

Mallory will attempt to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur next week at Suncadia, then head back to Washington State University to finish her senior year. She has one NCAA college trophy already and hopes to better that this upcoming season.

Burien, the Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church and area golf fans will watch her next few seasons with intense interest. The ladies pro tour awaits (LPGA).