The team of Madeleine Laux-McKenzi Hall birdied the first playoff hole to win the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier. The duo, who play for the UNLV women’s golf team, posted a five-under-par 67 and tied the team of Alaythia Hinds-Erica Villegas. The one-day tournament was held Aug. 30, 2023, at Las Vegas Golf Club. –by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider
Hinds and Villegas will be the first alternates while Eunice Han and Haram Lee are the second alternates in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Amateur Championship which will be held May 11-15, 2024, at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, TX.
Laux (a senior) and Hall (a junior) on the UNLV team had to play catchup as they were just one-under through the first eight holes before rallying.
Laux said the team came in with a goal: “We thought five-under would have a good chance and that was our goal,” she said.
But they quickly adjusted their gameplan.
“When we started, one team was already five-under through nine and so we thought it might get to eight-under,” Hall said. “But they ended up falling back and we made some good putts to get to five-under and it all worked out.”
But not before having to go to a playoff where Hall had a tap-in birdie that wound up being the winner.
“I had about 38 yards and hit it to about a foot,” she said. “They were both on the green and had birdie putts but they weren’t gimmies. I just wanted to hit it as close as I could and give myself a good look.”
One other hole that boosted their confidence was the par-5 15th.
“That was a great hole for us,” Laux said. “I actually stuck a five-wood to about 10 feet and made the putt.”
Hall also helped out on the hole despite an errant tee shot.
“I hit it into the trees but still managed to make birdie,” she said. “The birdie let her have a free run at the eagle and she made a great putt.”
Now it’s on to the fall season for the Lady Rebels.
“We’re really excited,” Laux said. “We have qualifying starting Friday (Sept. 1 for an upcoming UNLV event) so this will certainly help the confidence.”
As for the national four-ball tournament in 2024, Hall said it will all work out.
“The tournament date is right after regional and during finals,” Hall said. “But since we’ve qualified, we’ll figure it out.”
U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier, Southern Nevada
Laux-Hall, 67, medalist (won on first playoff hole)
Hinds-Villegas, 67, first alternate
Han-Lee, 68, second alternate
Preap-Yin, 68
Zheng-Du, 68
