ELKHORN, Neb. — Omaha Women's Golf seniors Katie Ruge and Emily Karmazin gave each other a big hug after Ruge walked off her final green during Tuesday's round at Indian Creek Golf Club.
Playing in their last regular-season tournament, the pair of Omaha seniors had plenty to celebrate as they finished first and second individually at this year's Stampede at the Creek.
"It was just an awesome moment just because we're so close," Ruge said. "It's just the cherry on top of everything."
Ruge shot a 1-over 73 Tuesday as she won the event by three strokes. Karmazin, who started the day in 12th place, moved up the leaderboard by shooting the best round of the day, a 3-under 69.
Ruge and Karmazin helped Omaha place second in the team standings, four strokes behind winner Drake. Omaha started eight shots back, and the Mavericks briefly tied Drake late in the round. Karmazin led Omaha's charge as the Mavericks shot a 298, the best team score Tuesday.
"My ball-striking was a lot better today," said Karmazin, who carded a pair of 77s during Monday's opening rounds of the tournament. "I told myself, 'OK, settle in, go have some fun and see what happens.'"
Karmazin made only one birdie in 36 holes Monday, but she recorded four birdies Tuesday. Her only bogey came on her first hole of the day.
It was a run of birdies that sealed the individual title for Ruge.
Ruge started Tuesday tied for the lead after carding rounds of 69 and 78 on a windy Monday. She was runner-up at last spring's Stampede at the Creek.
Starting her round on the par-3 fifth hole, Ruge was 3-over through her first 12 holes.
But then Ruge birdied the par-3 17th, the par-4 18th and the par-5 first to create separation atop the leaderboard. The key to her round was the 17th, when she converted a six-foot birdie putt after an excellent tee shot.
"Seventeen was a good birdie because it was a tough pin (placement)," Ruge said. "I took an aggressive line and made the putt."
She then converted an up-and-down opportunity from 60 yards out on No. 18, and she stayed aggressive to birdie the par-5 first.
"I knew if I could just play my game and stay steady, maybe I'd give myself a chance," Ruge said.
"Being one of my last events, I had the goal of going out and having fun. ... I didn't look at the leaderboard, I just did what I could."
Two other Mavericks placed in the top 25, as Ellynne Honnens was 19th and Macarena Garcia Terron was 24th.
Ruge said this result provides confidence for the Summit League Championship, which begins April 26 in Mesa, Arizona.
