Tui Selvaratnam wins AWGA State Amateur Match Play

Nicole Tombs wins Senior Division State Amateur Match Play Championship

by Mary Ann Souter

The Arizona Women’s Golf Association held its annual State Amateur Match Play Championship at Gold Canyon Golf Resort on May 10-13. With a field of past champions and highly skilled players, the competition was tough and the matches were challenging. In the end, Tui Selvaratnam, won the final match against Kim Eaton, 5 & 4.

Selvaratnam, AWGA Player of the Year for nine consecutive years, also won the State Amateur Match Play Championship in 2005 and 2008 and was runner-up in 2006 and 2007.  “This is a great honor,” Tui said after the tournament. “I competed with accomplished players whose experience showed on the course.” Tui once again proved to be a capable golfer with focus and determination leading her to another major victory. So far in 2010, Tui has played in three events – the Phoenix City Championship in March, AWGA Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship in April and State Amateur Match Play Championship in May – and won all three.  She was also the medalist in the Match Play Championship with a gross score of 69, 2 under par.

Nicole Tombs, Senior Division Champion and member of Desert Highlands, won her final match with Kelly Hollister 1 up. At 66 years old, Nicole showed her stamina and skill as she competed against players in their early fifties, more than 10 years younger. Nicole won the State Amateur Match Play Championship Open Division in 1991 and has captured the AWGA Senior Stroke Play Championship three times.

Nicole’s daughter, LPGA Teaching Professional Tina Tombs, was at Gold Canyon watching her mother advance to the final match. “I was so happy Tina was there to encourage and support me,” said Nicole. “I was always the one on the sidelines rooting for her when she was on tour. This time she was in the walking gallery watching me!” And as a footnote, Nicole’s husband, Richard, who taught her to golf about 25 years ago, was her caddie! Golf is definitely in the genetic material of this family.

Congratulations to Tui Selvaratnam and Nicole Tombs on their AWGA State Amateur Match Play victories!