Women’s City title up for grabs

While the two women who’ve captured the past six Yakima Women’s City Golf Championships can be expected to stage another dual this week, the return of another savvy player and the influx of some young talent could create a crowded leaderboard.

Three-time defending champion and four-time winner Nancy Eglin heads a solid field of 51 golfers who will vie for the 2010 title today, Tuesday and Thursday at three local courses.

Should Eglin be victorious again, she will join Dorothy Carratt, Hazel Leland and Pam Hubbard as the only players to win this event four straight times.

That probably happen easily, however.

Eglin’s primary challenge figures to be Pat Martin, an eight-time winner and runner-up to Eglin the past three years.

And there are plenty of other contenders who could break up what has been a two-woman show of late.

Heading that group of challengers are Chris Scacco, who held the lead on the back nine of last summer’s final round, and two recent high school standouts — Christine Cook, who played at Eisenhower, and Liz Tikriti from West Valley.

That depth could make for a competitive event when play begins today at Apple Tree. The second round will be at SunTides on Tuesday, with the final round at the Yakima Country Club on Thursday.

Play begins at 8 a.m. each day and the public is welcome to attend.

WOMEN’S CITY FIELD

First Flight: Nancy Eglin, Christine Cook, Liz Tikriti, Pat Martin, Chris Scacco, Betty Gilmore, Robin Cole, Jenna Boyle, Cindi Stewart, Terri Schaake, Paula Williams, Pat Wehr, Pene James.

Second Flight: Janet Hall, Shelly Yarbrough, Nancy Slinkard, Pat Sugden, Barbara Fortier, Karen Cooper, Dorothy Brink, Claudette Haubner, Louise Snyder, Judy Callarman, Judy Rozelle, Judy Pozarich, Olive Ruff.

Third Flight: Sue Morganthaler, Christy Fordyce, Judy Cussons, Kris Sterns, Lynda Matthews, Carolyn Bowman, Nancy Graf, Judy Jones, Kim Wangler, Linda Lenseigne, Carolyn Henyan, Carol Finney, Melissa Keeter.

Fourth Flight: Torrie Melton, Pat Mosley, Sandi Morris, Judy Stone, Carol Judy, Helen Tweedy, Judy Warninger, Helen Wendt, Bev Morgan, Vi Bond, Evva Lange, Carol Hammermeister.