Anna Swan Prepares for College Golf Career: Strategies for Success
Anna Swan, a recent graduate of North East, has quickly made a name for herself in the golf world.
Known for her PIAA team and individual golf gold medals, her achievements have now landed her a scholarship at Oral Roberts University. There, she will join her older sister, Lydia, as a student and teammate.
Swan added another impressive title to her name by defending the Erie District Women’s Golf Association major with a strong 36-hole score of 1-under par 143. Her final round of 2-under 70 helped her win by eight strokes over notable competitors.
At just 18 years old, Swan’s success has already made her a role model for younger players like Cora Hirz, who admires her achievements and aspires to follow in her footsteps.
Urban Earns USGA Berth
Steph Urban overcame a major challenge, determined to recover from a three-stroke deficit against Anna Swan in the final round on Sunday. If she had succeeded, she would have claimed the Amateur title for a record fourth time since 2013.
Though she fell short, Urban found reassurance that her golf season wasn’t over yet.
Competing on her home course, Lawrence Park, just four days after securing a spot in the upcoming USGA Senior Women’s Amateur, Urban felt a mix of relief and excitement. The event is open to players aged 50 and older.
This marks the second consecutive year Urban, now 52, has earned a berth in this prestigious tournament. The tournament is scheduled for September 21-26 at Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle.
Urban’s remarkable performance at Ligonier Country Club in Westmoreland County earned her this opportunity. She recorded an impressive round of 75 during the qualifier.
The Senior Women’s Amateur begins with a 36-hole qualifier, where the top 64 finishers advance to a match play bracket.
Last year, Urban faced disappointment, missing the cut at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, with rounds of 86 and 94. Reflecting on that experience, Urban stressed the importance of mental focus in golf.
“Last year, I thought, ‘Oh, I can make the top 64,'” Urban shared. “But you can’t think that way, even if your practice rounds are good. You have to take one shot at a time and not get ahead of yourself.”
In the Erie District Women’s Golf Association Amateur Tournament at Lawrence Park Golf Club, Urban tied for third place. Here are the final results:
| Player | Round 1 | Round 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Swan | 73 | 70 | 143 |
| Karlie Chaffee | 79 | 72 | 151 |
| Steph Urban | 76 | 75 | 151 |
| Sarah White | 76 | 75 | 151 |
| Cora Hirz | 82 | 77 | 159 |
| Katie Caryl | 80 | 84 | 164 |
| Moira Erhartic | 82 | 84 | 166 |
| Jillian Gambino | 84 | 82 | 166 |
| Emily Donahue | 88 | 81 | 169 |
| Kathy Lynch | 83 | 87 | 170 |
| Lena Fuss | 85 | 87 | 172 |
| Alexis Marsh | 91 | 83 | 174 |
| Gail Heubel | 92 | 87 | 179 |
| Michelle Robertson | 91 | 93 | 184 |
| Morgan Eastman | 86 | 99 | 185 |
| Terry DeSanto | 101 | 91 | 192 |
| Taylor Urban | 94 | 99 | 193 |
| Kathy Hobson | 95 | 100 | 195 |
| Christine Willey | 102 | 95 | 197 |
| Jen Shorts | 102 | 102 | 204 |
| Arianna Llera | 104 | 116 | 220 |
Note: Lena Fuss was the net division champion with scores of 65-67-132.
Steph Urban’s dedication to the game and her ability to learn from past experiences underscore her resilience. As she heads to Seattle, her focus will be on each shot, aiming to surpass last year’s performance and make it into the top 64.
The journey from a tough Sunday at the Amateur to the greens of the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur showcases her tenacity and passion for the sport. For Steph Urban, the season continues with new challenges and opportunities on the horizon.