Shannon Yocum’s birdie putt on the third playoff hole finally did it, as the recent Cal grad and aspiring touring pro clinched a second straight Santa Barbara Women’s Open on Thursday at Sandpiper Golf Course.
Yocum outlasted first-day leader Kendra Vallone and younger sister Stephanie Yocum after all three carded 145 strokes through 36 holes.
Both Yocums turned in 1-over par rounds at Glen Annie on Wednesday and at Sandpiper on Thursday to find themselves pitted against each other with the title on the line.
“It was great playing with my sister. We’ve never been in this position before and I think I would have been a lot more nervous if I didn’t have her next to me,” shared Shannon Yocum, who will start playing professionally in August leading up to LPGA Q-School later in the year.
Stephanie Yocum, who plays collegiately for Cal Poly, and Vallone finally succumbed to Shannon on the third playoff hole – No. 12 at Sandpiper – an uphill 252-yard par 4. Vallone almost forced a fourth playoff hole but a 20 ft. birdie putt from the fringe came up two inches short.
“It’s a great mental test, I love playoffs,” admitted Shannon, who set up her victory with a strong drive and chip onto the 11th green.
“My short game was awesome. My chipping was stellar both days,” Shannon said, thankful because her putting was giving her periodic fits over the two days. “I was working on my swing last week and it came around.”
The playoff started on the 10th hole with each player posting a bogey. Stephanie almost won the tournament on Sandpiper’s signature 11th hole, a downhill par-3 that has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Gaviota Coast. A 15 ft. birdie putt nearly rolled in to give her the win. A tap-in par still forced Vallone and Shannon to knock down difficult putts to keep the playoff going.
A distinct change to this year’s women’s open was a venue change that had players teeing off at Glen Annie on Day 1 instead of Santa Barbara Golf Club. Tournament Director Irelle Beatie cited construction on the course at Santa Barbara Golf Club as the reason for the change, one that the players seemed to embrace.
“I loved Glen Annie,” noted Shannon, having never played there before a practice round earlier in the week.
SBCC’s Asaka Sim was the top local finisher in the Championship Flight in 10th place. Sim’s 160 topped other local competitors Sue Wilcox (168) and Fumie Sato (170).
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT RESULTS
1. Shannon Yocum 72, 73 – 145 (Won 3 hole playoff)
2. Kendra Vallone 70, 75 – 145
3. Stephanie Yocum 72, 73 – 145
4. Jenni Jenq 74, 75 – 149
5. Lindsey Shean 76, 79 – 155
6. Brittany Smith 76, 80 – 156
7. Rebecca Song 79, 78 – 157
8. Jacquie Misho 78, 80 – 158
9. Stevy Loy 79, 80 – 159
10. Asaka Sim 77, 83 – 160
11. Katherine James 82, 81 – 163
11. Donna Harris 84, 79 – 163
13. Sue Wilcox 85, 83 – 168
14. Kelly Morris 85, 84 – 169
15. Fumie Sato 86, 84 – 170
16. Ashley Redmond 82, 89 – 171
17. Ran Oh 85, 94 – 179
