KETTERING, Ohio – Buoyed by Alice Chen’s record-tying round, New Jersey vaulted into a tie for the lead with Florida at 5-over-par 297 following Wednesday’s second round of the 2013 USGA Women’s State Team Championship, being conducted on the par-73, 6,153-yard South Course at NCR Country Club.
| PLAYERS TO SHOOT 67 IN WOMEN'S STATE TEAM |
| Alice Chen: 2013, NCR Country Club (South Course) Brenda Corrie Kuehn: 1997, Kierland Golf Club Kathy Hartwiger: 2009, Sycamore Hills Golf Club Rachel Dai: 2011, The Landings Club (Palmetto Course) |
Florida posted a 2-over 75 from four-time U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Meghan Stasi, 35, of Oakland Park, and a 76 from 22-year-old Ericka Schneider, of Bradenton. Tara Joy-Connelly, 40, of Palm Beach Gardens, returned a non-scoring 81.
First-round leader Arizona sits five strokes back in third at 10-over 302, followed by Virginia at 12-over 304 and Maryland at 13-over 305. Two-time defending champion Georgia is tied for sixth with Colorado at 15-over 307.
Due to the potential for inclement weather on Thursday and the desire to give as many teams as possible a chance to complete 54 holes, a 36-hole cut has been implemented. The cut came at 30-over-par 322, with 27 of the 52 teams scheduled to complete the final 18 holes.
The United States Golf Association conducts the USGA Women’s State Team Championship on a biennial basis. It is open to teams of three players from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Eighteen holes of stroke play are scheduled over three days, with the two lowest scores of the three individuals counting as the team’s score for the round. The team with the lowest aggregate score through 54 holes, ending Sept. 19, is the champion.
Chen carded six birdies and an eagle, along with two bogeys, en route to her 6-under 67. She joins Brenda Corrie Kuehn (1997), Kathy Hartwiger (2009) and Rachel Dai (2011) with the lowest 18-hole score in championship history. Chen’s two-day total of 7-under 139 also ties the low mark set by Marla Jemsek-Weeks in 1997.
"It was tracking really nice and it just dropped," said Chen of her 50-foot eagle putt at the par-5 16th (her seventh hole). "I was kind of shocked."
Consecutive bogeys at Nos. 17 and 18 threatened to derail Chen’s momentum. But back-to-back birdies at the first and second holes, including a tap-in at the par-3 second, put her back on track.
"I just hit good approach shots in," said Chen, who will attend Furman University in the fall of 2014. "It was just hit the fairway, hit the green and then try and make the putt."
Wednesday’s round was yet another highlight in Chen’s 2013 resume, most of which has taken place in her home state. She won the New Jersey high school individual championship and earned player of the year honors. Chen then won the New Jersey State Golf Association’s Women’s Amateur and Junior Girls’ Championships, and tacked on a victory at the American Junior Golf Association’s Lessing’s AJGA Classic, also conducted in the Garden State.
Stasi, who started at No. 10, stepped to the sixth tee at three under with four holes to play. But then it all went horribly awry. Stasi’s tee shot at the par-5 sixth flew left, leading to a double bogey. She carded bogey at the par-4 seventh, and after needing two attempts to clear a fairway bunker at the par-4 ninth, Stasi missed a 5-foot bogey putt to drop five shots in four holes and finish at 2 over par for the round.
"It's unfortunate, but just a bad few holes," said Stasi, who last week won Florida’s inaugural Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship by one stroke over Joy-Connelly.
Schneider, who completed her eligibility at the University of Mississippi in May, carded her second consecutive 3-over 76. After double-bogeying the 18th hole (her ninth) and making the turn at 4 over par, Schneider knew that she needed to regain her composure.
"I just decided not to give any emotion to the bad shots and just focus one shot at a time," said Schneider, who reached the second round of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links, where she fell to eventual champion Lauren Diaz-Yi. "It was all about keeping the right attitude and keep plugging away at it."
What Schneider termed as goofy golf shots helped spur her inward-nine revival. Her birdie at the par-3 second hole came courtesy of a 25-foot putt that started up a steep embankment and ran back down to the hole.
"It's kind of like playing boomerang," said Schneider, who carded three birdies and a double bogey on her inward nine. "You just hit it the right speed and pray a little bit."
Maryland’s Bryana Nguyen recorded the day’s only other subpar round. The 17-year-old’s card included six birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey for a 1-under 72.
Christina Lance is an assistant communications manager at the USGA. Email her at clance@usga.org.
Results
KETTERING, Ohio – Results from Wednesday’s second round at the 2013 USGA Women’s State Team Championship, being conducted at the 6,153-yard, par-73 NCR Country Club:
Florida - 146-151—297; Meghan Stasi, Oakland Park - 73-75—148; Ericka Schneider, Bradenton - 76-76—152; Tara Joy-Connelly, Palm Beach Gardens - 73-81—154
New Jersey - 151-146—297; Alice Chen, Princeton - 72-67—139; Cindy Ha, Demarest - 79-81—160; Tara Fleming, Jersey City - 85-79—164
Arizona - 144-158—302; Hannah O'Sullivan, Paradise Valley - 71-73—144; Stephanie Kim, Tempe - 73-85—158; Kylee Duede, Glendale - 82-87—169
Virginia - 152-152—304; Abby Portyrata, North Chesterfield - 72-75—147; Lauren Greenlief, Oakton - 80-77—157; Lyndsey Hunnell, Troutville - 85-84—169
Maryland - 150-155—305; Bryana Nguyen, Columbia - 71-72—143; Andrea Kraus, Baltimore - 79-85—164; Lisa Schlesinger, Laytonsville - 87-83—170
Georgia - 154-153—307; Laura Coble, Augusta - 75-76—151; Brenda Pictor, Marietta - 83-77—160; Mercedes Huarte, Suwanee - 79-83—162
Colorado - 155-152—307; Hannah Wood, Centennial - 78-77—155; Melissa Martin, Grand Junction - 81-75—156; Jennifer Kupcho, Westminster - 77-80—157
Indiana - 148-160—308; Tobi Herron, Columbus - 75-77—152; Nina Whalen, Indianapolis - 73-83—156; Michelle Smith, Fort Wayne - 86-91—177
New Mexico - 147-162—309; Dominique Galloway, Rio Rancho - 74-81—155; Shania Berger, Socorro - 79-81—160; Darian Zachek, Deming - 73-93—166
Tennessee - 152-158—310; Blakesly Warren, Chattanooga - 73-78—151; Courtney Chandler, Franklin - 79-80—159; Corinna Rees, Nashville - 82-81—163
Texas - 156-154—310; Mina Hardin, Fort Worth - 75-77—152; Megan Thothong, Dallas - 82-77—159; Taylor Slagle, Southlake - 81-79—160
Minnesota - 154-156—310; Olivia Herrick, Roseville - 78-77—155; Celia Kuenster, Mendota Heights - 76-80—156; Sarah Burnham, Maple Grove - 79-79—158
Wisconsin - 158-153—311; Gabrielle Curtis, Eau Claire - 80-75—155; Jessie Gerry, Merrimac - 78-78—156; Maggie Leef, Brookfield - 83-83—166
Hawaii - 158-155—313; Rose Huang, Honolulu - 75-77—152; Aneka Seumanutafa, Kapolei - 83-78—161; Aiko Leong, Honolulu - 89-80—169
Kentucky - 158-157—315; Lucy Nunn, Lexington - 71-76—147; Ellen Kehoe, Campbellsville - 87-81—168; Krissy Martin, Louisville - 95-87—182
North Carolina - 158-158—316; Amber Marsh-Elliott, Greensboro - 76-73—149; Debbie Adams, Asheville - 82-85—167; Angela Stewart, Greenville - 88-89—177
Oklahoma - 158-158—316; Amber Hensley, Broken Arrow - 74-79—153; Jade Staggs, Oklahoma City - 84-79—163; Kelly Fuchik, Tulsa - 91-83—174
Ohio - 160-157—317; Allison Schultz, Cincinnati - 78-79—157; Shirley Vaughn, Akron - 82-78—160; Suzi Spotleson, Canton - 86-80—166
Michigan - 158-159—317; Shannon Warner, Livonia - 78-79—157; Jacqueline Setas, East Lansing - 80-80—160; Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, Haslett - 83-82—165
California - 158-161—319; Lynne Cowan, Rocklin - 74-84—158; Robyn Puckett, Irvine - 84-77—161; Karen Garcia, Cool - 84-87—171
Pennsylvania - 156-163—319; Brynn Walker, St. Davids - 76-81—157; Kelli Pry, Coatesville - 85-82—167; Amy Kennedy, York - 80-88—168
Louisiana - 160-159—319; Kay Daniel, Covington - 79-81—160; Sarah Davison, Choudrant - 81-82—163; Julia Johnson, Baton Rouge - 86-78—164
South Carolina - 161-159—320; Dawn Woodard, Greer - 81-75—156; Lea Venable, Simpsonville - 80-84—164; Terrie Allemang, Hilton Head - 85-87—172
Idaho - 162-158—320; Gabrielle Barker, Caldwell - 81-74—155; Kareen Markle, Meridian - 81-84—165; Shawna Ianson, Boise - 89-91—180
Oregon - 158-163—321; Kate Hildahl, Portland - 79-79—158; Rosie Cook, Bend - 79-84—163; Brie Stone, Veneta - 83-84—167
Illinois - 159-162—321; Nora Lucas, Chicago - 78-80—158; Alyssa Gaudio, Western Springs - 81-82—163; Laura Carson, Lake Forest - 82-84—166
Missouri - 158-164—322; Catherine Dolan, Ballwin - 78-78—156; Alisha Matthews, St. Louis - 80-86—166; Stephany Powell, Springfield - 86-89—175
Failed to Qualify
Massachusetts - 167-159—326; Rita Bedard, Medway - 83-80—163; Pam Kuong, Wellesley Hills - 84-82—166; Lisa Anderson, Middleton - 89-79—168
Utah - 164-162—326; Kelsey Chugg, Salt Lake City - 81-76—157; Annette Gaiotti, Holladay - 83-86—169; Marie Bambo, Salt Lake City - 87-105—192
New York - 168-159—327; Ellen Oswald, New City - 82-76—158; Denise Martorana, Sag Harbor - 86-83—169
Kansas - 161-166—327; Rachel Halloran, Leawood - 81-80—161; Meghan Houtsma, Syracuse - 80-94—174; Martha Linscott, Mission Hills - 89-86—175
Mississippi - 165-163—328; Meagan Roberts, Ocean Springs - 79-81—160; Kathleen Gallagher, Greenwood - 86-82—168; Cissye Gallagher, Greenwood - 87-84—171
West Virginia - 167-161—328; Sydney Snodgrass, Harrisville - 84-79—163; Nicolle Flood-Sawczyszyn, Morgantown - 83-82—165; Caroline Ramsey, Bridgeport - 92-89—181
South Dakota - 161-170—331; Morgan Fitts, Brookings - 77-88—165; Karla Cotton, Sioux Falls - 84-82—166; Kristin Sabers, Mitchell - 93-88—181
Washington - 168-163—331; Leslie Folsom, Seattle - 84-78—162; Shawn Farmer, Bellevue - 87-85—172; Denise Kieffer, University Place - 84-92—176
Alabama - 168-170—338; Linda Jeffery, Millbrook - 83-85—168; Lea Green, McCalla - 85-87—172; Susan West, Tuscaloosa - 90-85—175
Nevada - 169-171—340; Lori Elliott, Reno - 83-84—167; Lisa Stanley, Reno - 86-89—175; Diane Booth, Las Vegas - 97-87—184
Iowa - 167-174—341; Jenny Graeser, Cedar Falls - 83-86—169; Julie Bush, Cedar Rapids - 84-88—172; Carroll Dethrow, Nevada - 99-88—187
Arkansas - 172-169—341; Julie Oxendine, Russellville - 81-82—163; Carrie Hall, Bismarck - 91-92—183; Leslie Schwarz, Rogers - 100-87—187
Puerto Rico - 171-171—342; Paola Diaz-Portela, San Juan - 84-84—168; Kristina Ortiz, Guaynabo - 87-87—174; Yudika Ann Rodriguez Borras, Salinas - 88-93—181
Montana - 171-174—345; Amber Lundskog, Bozeman - 87-84—171; Natalie Beard, Great Falls - 84-90—174; Sue Peterson, Glendive - 92-91—183
New Hampshire - 174-172—346; Lauren Thibodeau, Hampstead - 84-86—170; Tara Watt, Manchester - 92-86—178; Paige Gauthier, Claremont - 90-100—190
Connecticut - 173-173—346; Jennifer Holland, Branford - 85-87—172; Debbie Johnson, Stamford - 88-86—174; Lisa Fern-Boros, Shelton - 89-91—180
Nebraska - 163-183—346; Susan Marchese, Omaha - 85-88—173; Stephanie Kolbas, Lincoln - 78-96—174; Jane Pohlman, Omaha - 96-95—191
Maine - 174-179—353; Emily Bouchard, Saco - 84-88—172; Laurie Hyndman, Cumberland Foreside - 90-91—181; Monica Austin, Yarmouth - 95-98—193
Rhode Island - 184-177—361; Marisa White, Wakefield - 91-88—179; Kibbe Reilly, Providence - 95-89—184; Jacqueline Booth, Middletown - 93-94—187
District of Columbia - 186-176—362; Alexa Calomiris, Washington - 93-86—179; Janice Calomiris, Washington - 93-93—186; Deb Pearson, Washington - 98-90—188
Wyoming - 182-183—365; Sarah Bowman, Parkman - 83-83—166; Mary Smith, Sheridan - 99-100—199; Falinda Hall, Cody - 110-101—211
Delaware - 191-174—365; Sandy Scitti, Selbyville - 96-87—183; Angie Whitley Coleman, New Castle - 96-87—183; Karen Sergison, Ocean View - 95-95—190
Vermont - 199-195—394; Shelly Yusko, Quechee - 94-94—188; Nancy Gorham-Lasante, East Burke - 105-101—206
Alaska - 205-203—408; Deb Mitchell, Anchorage - 96-101—197; Jane Shaw, Anchorage - 110-102—212; Susan Gatewood, Anchorage - 109-110—219
North Dakota - 207-203—410; Becky Serri, Bismarck - 100-94—194; Mary Adams, Grand Forks - 107-109—216; Debra Bartosh, Bismarck - 145-130—275
KETTERING, Ohio – Groupings and starting times for Thursday’s final round at the 2013 USGA Women’s State Team Championship, being conducted at the 6,153-yard, par-73 NCR Country Club (All times EDT):
10th tee
7:30 a.m. – Krissy Martin, Louisville, Ky.; Maggie Leef, Brookfield, Wis.; Aiko Leong, Honolulu, Hawaii
7:39 a.m. – Ellen Kehoe, Campbellsville, Ky.; Jessie Gerry, Merrimac, Wis.; Aneka Seumanutafa, Kapolei, Hawaii
7:48 a.m. – Lucy Nunn, Lexington, Ky.; Gabrielle Curtis, Eau Claire, Wis.; Rose Huang, Honolulu, Hawaii
7:57 a.m. – Kelly Fuchik, Tulsa, Okla.; Suzi Spotleson, Canton, Ohio; Angela Stewart, Greenville, N.C.
8:06 a.m. – Jade Staggs, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Shirley Vaughn, Akron, Ohio; Debbie Adams, Asheville, N.C.
8:15 a.m. – Amber Hensley, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Allison Schultz, Cincinnati, Ohio; Amber Marsh-Elliott, Greensboro, N.C.
8:24 a.m. – Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, Haslett, Mich.; Amy Kennedy, York, Pa.; Karen Garcia, Cool, Calif.
8:33 a.m. – Jacqueline Setas, East Lansing, Mich.; Kelli Pry, Coatesville, Pa.; Robyn Puckett, Irvine, Calif.
8:42 a.m. – Shannon Warner, Livonia, Mich.; Brynn Walker, St. Davids, Pa.; Lynne Cowan, Rocklin, Calif.
8:51 a.m. – Shawna Ianson, Boise, Idaho; Terrie Allemang, Hilton Head, S.C.; Julia Johnson, Baton Rouge, La.
9 a.m. – Kareen Markle, Meridian, Idaho; Lea Venable, Simpsonville, S.C.; Sarah Davison, Choudrant, La.
9:09 a.m. – Gabrielle Barker, Caldwell, Idaho; Dawn Woodard, Greer, S.C.; Kay Daniel, Covington, La.
9:18 a.m. – Stephany Powell, Springfield, Mo.; Laura Carson, Lake Forest, Ill.; Brie Stone, Veneta, Ore.
9:27 a.m. – Alisha Matthews, St. Louis, Mo.; Alyssa Gaudio, Western Springs, Ill.; Rosie Cook, Bend, Ore.
9:36 a.m. – Catherine Dolan, Ballwin, Mo.; Nora Lucas, Chicago, Ill.; Kate Hildahl, Portland, Ore.
First tee
7:45 a.m. – Sarah Burnham, Maple Grove, Minn.; Taylor Slagle, Southlake, Texas; Corinna Rees, Nashville, Tenn.
7:54 a.m. – Celia Kuenster, Mendota Heights, Minn.; Megan Thothong, Dallas, Texas; Courtney Chandler, Franklin, Tenn.
8:03 a.m. – Olivia Herrick, Roseville, Minn.; Mina Hardin, Fort Worth, Texas; Blakesly Warren, Chattanooga, Tenn.
8:12 a.m. – Jennifer Kupcho, Westminster, Colo.; Michelle Smith, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Darian Zachek, Deming, N.M.
8:21 a.m. – Melissa Martin, Grand Junction, Colo.; Nina Whalen, Indianapolis, Ind.; Shania Berger, Socorro, N.M.
8:30 a.m. – Hannah Wood, Centennial, Colo.; Tobi Herron, Columbus, Ind.; Dominique Galloway, Rio Rancho, N.M.
8:39 a.m. – Mercedes Huarte, Suwanee, Ga.; Lyndsey Hunnell, Troutville, Va.; Lisa Schlesinger, Laytonsville, Md.
8:48 a.m. – Brenda Pictor, Marietta, Ga.; Lauren Greenlief, Oakton, Va.; Andrea Kraus, Baltimore, Md.
8:57 a.m. – Laura Coble, Augusta, Ga.; Abby Portyrata, North Chesterfield, Va.; Bryana Nguyen, Columbia, Md.
9:06 a.m. – Kylee Duede, Glendale, Ariz.; Tara Fleming, Jersey City, N.J.; Tara Joy-Connelly, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
9:15 a.m. – Stephanie Kim, Tempe, Ariz.; Cindy Ha, Demarest, N.J.; Ericka Schneider, Bradenton, Fla.
9:24 a.m. – Hannah O'Sullivan, Paradise Valley, Ariz.; Alice Chen, Princeton, N.J.; Meghan Stasi, Oakland Park, Fla.