EVANSVILLE — The setting doesn't matter. Winning is always difficult.
Ask Taylor Howerton if this weekend was easy. The North High graduate never felt comfortable on Sunday, not with two former Division I golfers in the same group looking for an opportunity. Not even a two-shot lead on the final hole felt safe.
The final round of the Evansville Women's City championship still proved one thing. The champion still has it.
Howerton posted a three-over 75 on Sunday at Oak Meadow to win her first City title by two shots over Allison Enchelmayer. She never trailed in the final round and led this tournament wire-to-wire. No competitor got within a single shot on the back nine.
"This is a great feeling," said Howerton. "I kept steady and told myself to stay cool. One shot at a time. I pulled it through."
The end result is no surprise. Howerton was a prep star for the Huskies including two trips to the state championship. She played two years at Indiana before transferring to Southern Indiana. Her senior season, she set a program record for scoring average.
There were stops professionally on mini tours before regaining her amateur status three years ago. Her father, Jeff, won the Men's City Tournament in 1982 and '83 and is the head professional at Sultan's Run in Jasper. Her mother, Lu Anne, was her coach at USI and won another Senior City title this weekend.
"I'm just glad I can add to the Howerton name," she said. "A great feeling to be here and couldn't be happier. The course was pure and the greens were rolling great. It was a little breezy at times which made shots longer."
Howerton took the lead with a 3-under 67 at Fendrich on Saturday but truly took control on the front nine at Oak Meadow. A spin-back wedge at the par-five second led to an early birdie. She added another at the par-three 13th. However, the lead never went higher than three with some miscues, notably a double bogey at 8, and a final charge from the field.
Enchelmayer, a former Evansville standout, had four bogeys in her opening 10 holes before trimming the deficit to two with a birdie at 14. There were chances to increase the pressure but a birdie attempt at 15 and par at 16 slipped by the edge.
"This was very comfortable being at Fendrich and Oak Meadow," she said. "It feels like my back yard after living here for over five years. I gave myself a lot of opportunities and didn't really give anything away. A couple moments where I wish to not make bogeys, but they come and go out here."
Howerton didn't close the door though with a three-putt par at 15 and a miss inside five feet at 16. The moment came on the final two holes including an impressive par at 18 after finding the bunker. Howerton rolled a 12-foot putt in after Enchelmayer (68-76) nearly chipped in for birdie.
Two-time City champion Kayla Osborne finished third at 150 (69-81) followed by 2018 champion Mallory Russell and Hailey Kirkland at 151. Destynie Sheridan (154), Baileigh Schneider (159), Meghan Craven (159), Kelly McGowan (164) and Abby Shires (167) rounded out the top 10.
"The last couple of putts I really focused and made sure to sink them," said Howerton. "I've been playing a little bit this summer, not as much as I'd hope as a working girl now. I've just started playing golf for fun. I'm excited to see what I can do next."
The other flight winners were Deeya Patel (First), Emma Seits (Second), Lu Anne Howerton (Senior) and Becky Howard (Super Senior).
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