July 28, 2006

HURRICANE, W.Va. - Marshall University senior golfer Allyson Hatcher (Wheeling, W.Va.) won her second straight West Virginia Women's Amateur title on Thursday at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club with a one-stroke victory over former Ohio State golfer Brittany Adams. Incoming Marshall freshman Larie Lynch, the 2006 West Virginia Junior Amateur champion, finished fourth while senior Meredith Crislip placed sixth.

Hatcher, the Thundering Herd's No. 1 player last season, claimed the second of back-to-back championships with a 1-over 73 in Thursday's final round for a 54-hole total of 217 (73-71-73). The outcome came down to puts on the 18th green, with Hatcher two-putting for par while Adams (75-70-73) posted a bogey.

"Ally really worked hard for her title this year," Hatcher's college coach, Meredith Knight, said. "I am so proud to see how much she has grown as a player. She is getting mentally tougher with every tournament."

Hatcher, who won her first collegiate tournament last September as a junior, now receives an exemption to the Futures Tour's Betty Puskar Classic as the State Am winner. The event is scheduled for Aug. 11-13 in Morgantown at The Pines Country Club.

Lynch, a Marshall signee in December, shot a 227 (79-72-76) for the week while Crislip fired a 234 (80-77-77). Lynch claimed the last three West Virginia Junior Am titles.

"I'm very pleased with the performances and effort of Ally, Larie and Meredith," Knight said.