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Akins to square off against younger Nealy By TIM PYLE For the first time in four years, there is no senior women's division in the Southern Oregon Golf Tournament. But Carmen Akins ensured Sunday that the senior women will be represented on SOGT's Championship Monday at the Rogue Valley Country Club. Akins, last year's senior women's runner-up, scored a 1-up victory over Luneta ah Sam to advance to today's 36-hole women's championship against 18-year-old Johnna Nealy. The pair will square off beginning at 9:20 a.m. for the first 18 and at 2:30 p.m. for the final 18. "She's such a great player, young and everything, and I'm just thrilled to be here," said Akins of facing the younger Nealy. "We'll see what happens. I just have to go out and hope I can keep up with her a little bit." Nealy forged a 1-up victory on 1999 women's champion Reena Eklund to advance to the finals in her first SOGT. Headed to the University of Oregon's women's golf program this fall, Nealy is shooting to keep the women's title in her family today. Older sister Amanda earned the trophy last year and in 1992. Johnna Nealy said she's watched her sister play the SOGT "ever since I was little," picking up pearls of RVCC wisdom all the while. "She's taught me some good things," said Nealy, who was the Class 4A co-state champion as a senior at Grants Pass High School last spring. "She wanted to play me in the championship, but she lost earlier this week." The par-3 15th hole was where Nealy claimed the 1-up edge that proved to be decisive. "I was pretty confident," Nealy said. "It just takes persistence and perseverance in this hot weather. You've gotta keep confident and calm and keep your cool out there." The 18th hole was the difference in Akin's victory over ah Sam, last year's women's runner-up. Ah Sam's second shot found tree trouble, and Akins was able to take advantage to claim the 1-up win. Although the match stayed close most of the way, Akins did have to fight back from a three-hole deficit on the back nine. Akins said her mind set was "you better get busy and do something" when she fell three back. "I wanted the senior division where I don't have to play these girls that are 19 years old," said Akins, who lives in Eagle Point and works at Stone Ridge Golf Club. "My caddie was my savior. She kept saying, 'Come on, girl, you can do this. Dig it out.'" Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.