Elaine Montano, 50, of Augusta, GA, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2011. After a brief illness, she died at her family's home in Simsbury. Elaine was born March 31, 1961, in Hartford, the beloved daughter of Robert and Teresa (Champa) Montano of Simsbury. She graduated from Simsbury High School; attended Western New England College; was a graduate of Central Connecticut State University, where she received her Bachelors Degree in Business and Marketing. Elaine moved south, first to South Carolina then to Georgia, to pursue her love of golf. There she met her dear friend and mentor, Eileen Kask. She qualified for and played in the U. S. Women's Amateur Championship in Rhode Island. Being a talented, avid golfer, she went on to win the 1987 CSRA Women's Golf Association Championship, and was a multiple-time winner of the Georgia State Amateur Golf Championship. Her professional golf career started when she joined the "Futures Tour" in 1989.After competing on the professional tour for several years, she regained her amateur status and won many additional tournaments. In addition to her accomplished golf career, Elaine joined La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, quickly working her way to becoming Vice President of Marketing. She was also a member of the Rose Society of Augusta; was an avid gardener; and enjoyed cycling, bible study, crafting and knitting, making many beautiful hand-crafted gifts for those she loved.


Besides her parents, she is survived by her loyal and caring partner of 19 years, Martha Brown of Georgia; her brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Julie Montano of Albany, NY; and her aunts and uncles: Gloria Carabillo of Simsbury, John Champa of Cromwell, Dick and Vini Coe of California, Philip and Rosann DiMartino of Simsbury, along with several cousins, and many cherished and loving friends.