Defending champion Charlaine Hirst, of Pinehurst, struggled on the front nine Wednesday during the National LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Championship at Pinehurst No. 8, but three birdies on the back nine were enough to blow away the Challenge division field with a final round 77.

Hirst locked in back-to-back division wins beating out Joellyn Crooks (+22) (Fuquay Varina, N.C.) by 11 strokes.

“I’m very excited,” Hirst said to LPGA. “My front nine was crazy, I was like a different person I didn’t swing well this morning at all. Then, I finally found my footing again on the back nine. So, it was very exciting to have hung in there on the front nine and come back and play well.”

Hirst is a Teaching Professional at the Country Club of Whispering Pines and had her family and friends with her all week cheering her on to victory.

“It’s very special. We had a good time out there. I played well for three days, and I’m proud of myself for hanging in there. And to get the win at home is fantastic.”

 

Photo from Charlaine Hirst’s social media page.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email