Klein Meets Her Match in Loss to Friend

Golf can be a very humbling game, especially come tournament time. Throw in match-play format and it can be downright cruel.

Just ask Emilee Klein of Studio City.

Klein was on a roll before Thursday’s second round of the 92nd U.S. Women’s Amateur championship at Kemper Lakes Golf Club. She was the qualifying co-medalist, one of only two golfers to shoot under par, and had cruised to victory in the opening round of match play.

But that won’t even get you a box of tees at this tournament. Klein’s performances this week meant nothing; she was ousted, 4 and 2, by her friend and future teammate, Wendy Ward of San Antonio.

Ward birdied three of the first four holes and Klein ultimately could not recover. Ward is a sophomore at Arizona State and Klein will travel to Tempe, Ariz., Monday for freshman orientation.

“I played solid but Wendy just played great,” said Klein, who also fell in the second round last year, in her first Amateur. “She had five birdies (actually four) and I only had one. That’s what wins here.”

Still, Klein had her chances. She was only one hole down after making par on the first eight holes. But she two-putted for a bogey-five on No. 9, and Ward then sank a dramatic 30-foot birdie putt on No. 10 to put a stranglehold on the match.

“That kind of did me in,” Klein said. “Wendy made a great shot and the momentum shifted to her favor.”

The match ended at the 16th where Klein, having to win the hole, conceded after her fourth shot. “I was pumped up. I had to show a little seniority over the freshman,” joked Ward, who later was beaten in the third round, 3 and 2, by Ellen Port of St. Louis.

“There was some good golf being played by both of us out there. That hurt me in the next round. I was so mentally drained.”

Ward is looking forward to the arrival of her new teammate. The two have been friends since they met on the American Junior Golf Assn. tour three years ago.

“Emilee is a terrific player and one tough competitor,” she said. “She’s going to be a big asset to our team.”

That was also the sentiment of Arizona State Coach Linda Vollstedt, who had eight of her players in competition here.

“Emilee is very talented,” Vollstedt said. “She’s not a long hitter, but she’s extremely accurate. Her iron play and putting is excellent. She’s very seasoned for a young golfer, extremely poised on the golf course. We were lucky to get her.

“That was a great match. It was tough for me because I wanted both of them to do well and only one could win.”

It was not a total loss for Klein. She came away with a medal, which she displayed proudly--and some valuable experience.