Bavaird, Ross win women's titles

THOMPSONVILLE – Two familiar names proved themselves yet again in the state’s two prestigious women’s tournaments.

Connie Ross, a former LPGA player from St. Joseph, shot a final-round 74 to win the $40,000 Michigan Women’s Open presented by Century 21. Ross’s three-round total of two-over-par 218 on Crystal Mountain Resort’s Mountain Ridge course gave the 36-year-old a one-stroke win over runner-up Elaine Crosby of Jackson. Ross, who teaches golf at Point O’ Woods Golf and Country Club after retiring from the LPGA in 2003, claimed the top prize of $5,700. “What a way to come out of retirement,” said Ross, who made her Michigan Women’s Open debut. “It’s awesome. I am overwhelmed. I dug down to keep myself in it and just kept saying little prayers. I just trusted that if it was meant to be, it would happen.”

Meanwhile, Laura Bavaird, a Grosse Ile native who plays at Western Michigan University, defended her title in the GAM’s Michigan Women’s Amateur at Walnut Hills Country Club in East Lansing, former home of an LPGA event. Bavaird has been in the finals three times. She beat Mid-American Conference rival, Stephanie Fleet of Eastern Michigan University, in 19 holes July 11 for the 2008 title. She beat Shasta Averyhardt of Jackson State University in 19 holes last year. “Being in the final three times and winning back-to-back titles -- it’s pretty sweet,” said Bavaird.