Cheryl Fox shows off her hardware won in capturing her second straight Senior title at Tennessee Women's Open
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
Cheryl Fox learned a valuable lesson on Friday while in the throes of competing in the Senior Division of the Tennessee Women’s Open Championship that will serve as a teaching moment for the veteran golfer going forward.
During Thursday’s opening round when she shot 2-under at Stonehenge Golf Club at Fairfield Glade, Fox treated herself to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at the turn for a boost of nutrition. That led to a closing nine of 3-under including three straight birdies on holes 15-17.
Fox decided to repeat that regimen prior to Friday’s final round, stopping by the local Weigel’s to secure her mid-round snack that was equal parts sustenance and superstition. Unfortunately, the PB&J didn’t make it to the golf course with her, leaving her not only hungry but without her good luck delicacy.
Thankfully, Fox had built a large enough lead to withstand consecutive double bogeys to open her closing nine. She finished the round at 7-over 79 to post a two-day total of 5-over 149 to become the first back-to-back champion in the tournament’s 10-year history.
“Yesterday I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at the turn, and it led to some of my best golf I’ve played lately,” Fox said. “I decided to go by this morning and buy another sandwich and not take any chances, but I left it behind. I won’t let that happen again.”
After winning last year by 10 shots, the native of Tiffin, Ohio who spends winters in Fort Pierce, Fla. cruised to a winning margin of 14 strokes this year despite her moment of forgetfulness.
Fox serves as director of golf at Fostoria Country Club in Ohio as well as an assistant professional at Gator Trace Golf and Country Club in Florida. She first competed in the Tennessee Women’s Open in 2006 while playing in the Open Division, where she finished tied for second by one stroke after bogeying her final hole.
She has compiled an impressive resume’ since joining the senior ranks that includes Senior State Open titles in both Florida and Ohio in addition to seven straight appearances in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. She has qualified to play in the 2025 event to be held at San Diego Country Club in late August – made even more special given the fact Fox was born in San Diego – and she hopes to improve on her best finish from 2019 where she tied for 16th.
Fox, 59, did not start her golf career until after college at which point she played on the Futures Tour from 1999 until 2002. She has played in the Senior LPGA Championship and recently qualified to compete in the LPGA Legends Championship held in Utah in May, where she finished tied for 46th in the event won by Christie Kerr.
“I’ve had the luxury to have good employees in Ohio that take over while I’m gone so that I can still play in all of these tournaments,” Fox said. “I always enjoy coming to Tennessee to compete, and I am able to stay with some friends in Fairfield Glade who were members at my Ohio course. It makes for a fun week and it’s always made better when I can win.”
Helen Holland of Nashville was low amateur with her runner-up finish of 19-over 163, while Margie Muzik of Naperville, Ill. and 2023 Tennessee Women’s Senior Open champion Jeannette Kohlhaas of North Charleston, S.C. tied for 3rd at 20-over 164.
Amateur Karin Rader-Carson placed 5th at 23-over 167, one shot better than Tiffany Anselment of Charlotte, N.C. who finished 6th at 24-over 168. A trio of amateurs tied for 7th at 25-over 169 that included Erica Chappell of Nashville, Jean Kraft of Fairfield Glade and Loudon’s Susan Miller.
Welch Maintains Lead in Open Division
After entering Friday’s second round holding a five-shot advantage, Jessica Welch of Thomasville, Ga. was able to extend her lead to six in the 27th Tennessee Women’s Open Championship heading into Saturday’s finale.
Welch was unable to repeat the magic displayed with her opening round of 65 that tied the all-time best round in tournament history, but her 1-over 73 left her at 6-under 138 entering the final day. She assembled a combination of four bogeys and three birdies on her day, good enough to increase her lead by one over her closest competitors.
Tennessee Women’s Amateur champion Isabella Johnson of Murfreesboro put together her second straight round of 72 to move into second place at even par 144, tied with 2020 champion Michaela Morard of Huntsville, Ala. who carded a 74 on Friday.
Jackson’s Tori Robinson stands alone in 4th at 1-over 145 following her round of 1-under 71 that equaled the best score of the day.
Susie Cavanagh of Warwick, R.I. and Haley Minor are tied for 5th at 2-over 146. Four golfers are knotted in 7th place at 3-over 147 that includes amateurs Karlie Campbell of Ethridge, Lexus Julian of Cookeville, Molly Hardwick of Nashville along with professional Anna Lesher of Ashland, Ohio.
The Open Division reduced its field to the low 40 scores plus ties entering Saturday’s final round.
For complete results, go to Tennessee Women's Open.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com