Zenor feels right at home and dominates Women's City Amateur tournament

CEDAR RAPIDS - Alex Zenor calmly stepped up to her golf ball and putted it in the hole for a par on the 18th hole at Ellis Golf Course. She was right at home.

The Northern Iowa junior is a regular at Ellis, and when she found out the Cedar Rapids Women's City Amateur's final round was going to be played there, she knew it was a good sign.

"It's kind of my home course, so it's always fun to end here and the course is in great shape," Zenor said.

Zenor won the women's amateur in dominating fashion on a hot Saturday, carding a two-underpar 70 in the final round for a 12-stroke victory over runner-up Julie Bush. She led by three strokes after a first-round 75 at Jones Golf Course.

Nothing was climactic about Zenor's win. There was no playoff, not even a challenger for the Cedar Rapids Kennedy alum. She just won the tournament, plain and simple.

She opened the front side with a birdie and concluded that nine with a chip-in for eagle, making her three-under for the day.

The only things that bothered Zenor throughout the round were the tee boxes. She normally plays the white tees at Ellis, but the red tees were in use for the tournament.

"It's just a lot different choosing your clubs off the tees," Zenor said. "You use a lot more wedges and you can't use a driver off the tees as much. It's not too bad; you at least get wedge practice."

Her closest competitor was Bush, her playing partner and former coach. The pupil clearly passed the teacher, Bush said.

"It's always fun to play with my former high school coach to go along with all the other ladies I know in the tournament," Zenor said.

Kim Fensterman made a nice run in the final round with a 77 to finish third, one stroke behind Bush. The highlight of her round was a tee shot on the 14th hole that settled just inches from the pin.

Nancy Olberding and Kim Kieckhaefer finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Zenor said she is now looking ahead to another season with the Panthers.

"It's a good confidence booster during the summer, winning this tournament," Zenor said. "I'm just looking forward to going back and having our team win a few tournaments in the fall."