Utah Women’s State Amateur Sees Shocking Upsets and Elite Quarterfinal Matchups

Day One Shocks: Defenseless Champions Fall

The defending champion, Arden Louchheim, was sent home after a 2‑up loss to Adley Nelson, a former Weber State golfer now bound for Utah Valley. The medalist from last year, Braylyn Bayer, a rising junior at Weber State, could not stop Ava Schroeder of BYU, who won 2 and 1. Louchheim’s abrupt exit is partly explained by her new broadcasting duties for the Ogden Raptors, leaving less time for tournament prep.

The early exits set the tone for a tournament where few were left untouched. Pre‑tournament favorites such as six‑time champion Kelsey Chugg and 2020 titleholder Grace Summerhays survived, setting up a high‑profile quarterfinal clash on Wednesday morning. Their meeting at 7:30 a.m. promises a rematch of past glory in the Elite Eight.

Key Winners and Storylines from Tuesday

New Mexico State’s Rylee Salome, the No. 4 seed, advanced by dispatching Faith Vui 5 & 4 and then Adley Nelson 1 up, earning a spot opposite BYU’s Whitney Banz. Banz, a BYU senior and former West High star who captured last year’s Wasatch Mountain title after a church mission, knocked off teammate Berlin Long 6 & 4 and Utah Tech’s Gabrielle Roznicki 5 & 4. Salome and Banz will meet at 7:40 a.m., a match slated to be a battle of steady play versus aggressive putting.

Rosie Oettli, a Salt Lake City product who played college golf at Southern Virginia, emerged as a surprise qualifier after beating Taylor Weingarten 2 & 1 and defending No. 2 seed Sunbin Seo’s teammate Aadyn Long 1 up. Ashley Lam, a Westminster golfer from Skyline High, continued her run with a 2‑up win over Jane Olson and a 5 & 4 triumph over Natalie McLane, setting up a 7:50 a.m. quarterfinal against Oettli. Rachel Lillywhite of Weber State, a Timpview High alum who returned from a mission, upset Nya Palmer 4 & 3 after a 3 & 2 win over Brynley Bischoff, while Utah Tech’s Samantha Phelan from Henderson, Nevada, eliminated Taylyn Wilson 6 & 4 and Sydney Richards 5 & 4 to set up a late 8:00 a.m. clash with Lillywhite.

Wednesday’s Elite Eight Lineup

• 7:30 a.m. – Grace Summerhays vs. Kelsey Chugg (two past champions)
• 7:40 a.m. – Rylee Salome vs. Whitney Banz (high‑school champion vs. BYU senior)
• 7:50 a.m. – Rosie Oettli vs. Ashley Lam (local talent vs. Skyline product)
• 8:00 a.m. – Rachel Lillywhite vs. Samantha Phelan (Weber State vs. Utah Tech)

The quarterfinals will be followed by semifinals Wednesday afternoon and a 36‑hole championship scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Thursday. Fans can expect the finalists to be the two who survive the high‑pressure early rounds, with the top seeds now scattered across the bracket.

These matches underscore the tournament’s reputation for unpredictable outcomes. The Utah Women’s State Amateur, now in its 120th year, continues to showcase emerging talent from high schools, colleges, and professional pipelines across the Intermountain West. As the field narrows, every shot and every chance for long‑run birdie will carry heightened importance.