Even with hitting her favorite club, the hybrid, off the tees, Mowat’s distance gave her the chance to hit short irons into most of the greens and go for the par fives in two. “I just got that club,” she explained, “and I love it.” Her finesse with the hybrid allowed Mowat a second round without a three putt and with only two bogeys. The hybrid also set her up for an eagle on the par-5 third hole. “This is the kind of course you can shot in the 60s on. I love this kind of course.”

Originally from Canada, Mowat is the Ball State University women’s golf coach. In her third year as coach Mowat has been busy recruiting golfers and hasn’t had much time for her own game. A natural athlete who has played most every sport, Mowat learned to skate and play hockey almost before she learned to walk. She completed a half iron-man competition two weeks before her 2006 title. Though she rarely competes in golf Mowat felt she should defend her Mid Amateur title.

Referring to a double and a triple from her 74 from round one on Monday, Mowat discussed her play for the second round as “avoiding big numbers on the course.” Even though she was a “little uncertain” off the tee with the driver the hybrid kept her in good position.

Coming up the 18th fairway with her closest competitor three shots back, Mowat briefly considered going for the par five in two, but dismissed the risky shot over the trees, opting for the safe 7-iron lay-up into the fairway. She placed her approach to within five feet and promptly made the putt for birdie.

Coach Mowat played golf collegiately for Iowa before transferring to University of Louisville. She spent the next three years as assistant women’s golf coach at Ole Miss before coming to Ball State. It’s probably a pretty good bet she will be back next year for a Mid-Am three-peat.

Second place in the Championship flight was won by 2006 IWGA Player of the Year, Nancy Fitzgerald of Carmel. Fitzgerald carded a 76-75—151 for the tournament. She began strong in the second round as a challenger to Mowat’s lead when she eagled the first hole out of the gate. But after a rain delay, and through a steady downpour on the second nine, Fitzgerald explained she “just got mentally tired out there. It’s hard to focus with the stop and start.” Fitzgerald will next appear in the Indiana PGA Women’s Open on July 2-3 at the Legends of Indiana.

Tied for third were Jodi Clark of Fort Wayne and Nina Whalen of Indianapolis at 7-over.

Flight Winners

Championship Flight

Katherine Mowat 74-71—145

Nancy Fitzgerald 76-75—151

Nina Whalen 77-76—153

First Flight

Julie Charmichael 80-76—156

Frances Walker 83-76—159

Nancy Trimarco 81-83—164

Second Flight

Kimberly Dixon 87-82—169

Rae Higdon 89-82—171

Carol Johnston 87-88—175

Third Flight

Carey Roth 92-84—176

Debbie Bizal 94-85—179

Junko Tsurumi 90-90—180

Fourth Flight

Kathy Hanes 100-94—194

Aren Howell 101-94—195

Loma Doerstler 100-95--195