RENO (Aug. 11, 2026)–The teams of Christy Atencio-Christina Brandt (Gross) and Emily Byrne-Ruthie Maxwell (Net) won titles in the 2026 Nevada State Women’s Partners tournament. The two-day event was held Aug. 10-11, 2026, at the Lakes Course at Red Hawk Golf and Resort.–by Bill Bowman. Photo above: Brandt-Atencio.
Gross
Christy Atencio and Christina Brandt birdied six holes in a seven-hole stretch midway through the first round en route to a two-stroke win in the Gross Division.
It was Atencio’s second team win of 2026 while it was the first title of the year for Brandt.
“Monday it was so easy and today it was so not easy,” Brandt said. “Yesterday everything found the bottom of the cup and today everything found the lip.”
Brandt said duo battled through the second round.
“For some reason, we all know it’s tough to follow up a good round with another good round,” she said. “We came out with a four-stroke lead and didn’t want to play prevent defense today. We weren’t as aggressive today and did have a little rough patch (back-to-back bogeys on the eighth and ninth holes) but pride got us back on track on the back nine and we finished pretty well.”
In the end, Brandt said their attitude was a big factor in the win.
“Any more, as we get older, you realize it’s just exciting to get out on the golf course,” she said. “We enjoy each other’s company. We just concentrated on our games and didn’t worry about what everyone else was doing.”
Scratch
Atencio-Brandt, 64-71—135
Imamoto-Hempel, 70-72—142
Show-Ho, 72-72—144
Net
Emily Byrne and Ruthie Maxwell posted a net eagle and three natural birdies on the back nine and won the Net Division.
It was Byrne’s fifth win of 2026 as she has won three individual titles and two team crowns. Maxwell was part of the winning team in the 2026 Nevada State Women’s Quad event.
“In a partner event you want to go in with the intention of playing for birdies and pars,” Maxwell said. “If your partner makes a bad shot, you’ve got to make a good shot to help the team. We did that very well as a team.”
Maxwell said the duo had eyes on the Gross title but had to settle for the Net crown.
“We tried our best to keep up with Christy and Christina and win the Gross but we came up a little short,” she said. “But we played well and that’s all you can ask.”
Maxwell said she and Byrne’s games worked well together.
“Emily, being a younger player, hits it a little longer than I do,” she said. “And I’ve got a pretty good short game so those things helped us. We also both made good putts over the two days to keep the pressure on.”
Net
Byrne-Maxwell, 67-68—135
Bradley-Smith, 68-68—136
Hood-Driver, 66-70—136
