The 97th Maryland State Women’s Amateur Championship was held at Worthington Manor Golf Club in Urbana, Maryland on July 16-19, 2018. The weather was spectacular, and the course was in beautiful condition for the thirty-seven participants who came from various areas of the state to play in the Championship.
The four-day tournament started with a stroke play qualifying round on Monday, July 16th. From the qualifying round, the Championship and four additional flights were established to play the next three days. The qualifying round also produced a Medalist winner – Delaney Shah won the Medalist trophy with an impressive score of 73, one over par. Over the next three days and four rounds of tournament play, Delaney rallied to also win the Women’s Amateur Championship. This was a record achievement – both Medalist and Championship wins in the same tournament! Congratulations, Delaney.
Tournament highlights:
Championship Flight – Delaney Shah vs. Sophie Simon
The final match of the Championship flight featured Delaney Shah, formerly of Argyle Country Club and currently a student at University of Louisville and Sophie Simon of Woodmont Country Club. Sophie shot 75 in the qualifying round and was one of the medalists in 2017. Delaney started the front nine in the lead. By the back nine, Sophie narrowed the gap and the match became extremely close. In the end, Delaney held her lead and won 3 & 2.
First Flight – Micaa Thomas vs. Emma Chen
Micaa Thomas, a rising college senior at SCAD Atlanta, who began playing MSGA-WD events as a junior has played in several Amateur Championships. Emma Chen, a rising freshman in high school played her first Women’s Amateur. From the start, this was a very close match. After 9 holes, Emma was one up. On the back 9, Emma bumped her lead to up 2 until Micaa got the match to 1 down on #16. But on hole #17, Emma made a par putt to end the match. Emma won 2 & 1.
Second Flight – Alyssa Cong vs. Arisa Kimura
The Second flight match was between 2nd-seeded Alyssa Cong of Worthington Manor and 5th-seeded Arisa Kimura of Bretton Woods. Alyssa, playing on her home course got off to a quick start by taking the first hole. Arisa birdied hole #2 to bring the match back to all square. Holes #3 through #8 were halved. Alyssa then proceeded to par every hole through #14, winning the match 5 & 4.
Third Flight – Lora Fioretti vs. Deborah Klein
The Third flight match was between Lora Fioretti of Hunt Valley Golf Club and Deborah Klein of Norbeck Country Club. Lora started strong taking the lead up with a birdie on the second hole. While the players tied the next four holes, Lora was 4 up after 9 holes. Lora won the next two holes with another birdie on 11. Deborah fought back winning hole 12 but the match concluded on hole 13 with Lora winning the match 6 & 5.
Fourth Flight – Cilatlipaz Butler vs. Hosang Yi
Cilatlipaz Butler of Patuxent Greens Golf Club and a rising sophomore at Delaware State University and Hosang Yi of Northwest Golf Club played an exciting match. Hosang was 3 down with 3 to go and made a big comeback to win in 19 holes!
Winners and Finalists
Championship Winner – Delaney Shah
Championship Runner-Up – Sophie Simon
Championship Semi-Finalists – Kelly Calkin and Clare Connolly
First Flight Winner – Emma Chen
First Flight Runner-Up – Micaa Thomas
Second Flight Winner – Alyssa Cong
Second Flight Runner-Up – Arisa Kimura
Third Flight Winner – Lora Fioretti
Third Flight Runner-Up – Deborah Klein
Fourth Flight Winner – Hosang Yi
Fourth Flight Runner-Up – Cilatlipaz Butler
Thank you to everyone who participated, and congratulations to all. A special thank you to the staff at Worthington Manor for their support and service.
The 98th Maryland State Women’s Amateur Championship will be held at Norbeck Country Club on July 22-25 2019.
-Reported by Meilani Tom
