Home cooking for Holstein

Bryce Alderton

One of the most intimidating shots a golfer faces when playing Big

Canyon Country Club comes on the par-5 18th hole, an approach shot

Sally Holstein knows all too well.

A lake fronts the 18th green and if you’re not careful, Holstein,

a member at the club since 1983, said a double bogey or more quickly

becomes reality.

Holstein, however, didn’t have to endure that painful reality,

clearing the pond all four days of the Big Canyon women’s club

championship in April, which she won for the second straight year.

Holstein, winner of three Big Canyon women’s club titles, shot 323

over four days of stroke play -- including a 77 in the final round --

to edge Olivia Slutzky, who carded a 76, by two strokes.

With the win, Holstein qualified for this year’s Tea Cup Classic,

scheduled for August 12 at Big Canyon.

The Tea Cup is an 18-hole, stroke-play championship that pits the

four ladies club champions -- or another player if the winner can’t

attend -- from the four private courses in Newport-Mesa against one

another.

Holstein, Debbie Albright (Newport Beach CC), Akemi Khaiat (Mesa

Verde CC) and Marianne Towersey (Santa Ana CC) all qualified and are

invited to this year’s championship.

Holstein qualified by keeping her nerves in check during the final

round.

Holstein led Slutzky by two strokes heading into the 18th after

surrendering two shots with a double bogey on the 17th.

With about 25 spectators watching, Holstein’s third shot from 138

yards away landed softly on the front of the green and she two-putted

for par.

“It was barely on the green, but I was just happy to get it over

the water,” said Holstein, who played with Slutzky, Martha Redfern

and Jeana Kawamura in the championship flight. “You can take a high

score on 18 and lose the tournament. I just prayed the ball would get

over the water.”

Holstein took a three-shot lead into the final round and didn’t

relinquish the lead the final 18 holes, maintaining her composure.

“It’s a very stressful tournament. The other ladies have lower

handicaps and hit it farther than I do, so I have to rely on chipping

and putting. They were both working. I just tried to keep my head

down and don’t think about too much. If you start thinking in

advance, you are gone.”

It also helped to have sister, Sue DeMille, caddying for her.

“It kept us both calm,” said DeMille, who has caddied for Holstein

several times, including last year’s Tea Cup.

Holstein has kept busy on the course this year as well.

The Big Canyon ladies have gone 3-1-1 thus far in team play

against Mission Viejo, California, Pacific and El Niguel.

Holstein said she has played with Slutzky, Redfern and Colette

Taormina in the match-play tournament that features eight teams of

two golfers who all play 10 matches.

Holstein will team up again with sister Sue DeMille to defend

their title later this month in the “Balboa,” Big Canyon’s two-day

ladies invitational.

DeMille, who caddied for Holstein in the club championship, will

also caddie for her in the Tea Cup.

“I know the course well, but so does [Towersey], [Albright] and

[Khaiat],” Holstein said when asked about playing in the Tea Cup for

the first time on her home course. “I’m just happy to proud to be in

the same company as those ladies. They play golf so well. I am

looking forward to [the Tea Cup].”