27th Maryland Women’s Open Champion Josee Doyon
Results | Photos | Champion Interview
Pikesville, Md. – The final round of the 27th Maryland Women’s Open presented by Toyota began on Wednesday, October 7, at 8:00 a.m. at The Suburban Club. After round one, Ami Gianchandani of Watchung N.J., and Josee Doyon of Boynton Beach, Fla., were tied for the lead after posting rounds of even-par. Only three shots separated the remaining top-ten competitors.
Gianchandani kept her momentum from the first round, playing clean golf throughout most of her front nine. She added an eagle on the 5th, but she faltered with a bogey on the 9th as she made the turn. Her final nine holes included four bogeys against two birdies, ultimately finishing third with a tournament total of one-over-par-145.
Amy DeKock of Palm Desert, Calif., moved up four spots on the leaderboard after posting a three-over-par 75 in her opening round. DeKock started off shaky, posting two bogeys through her first four holes. She quickly steadied herself and carded birdies on the 5th, 7th, and 9th to make the turn at one-under.
Dekock stumbled on the 13th with a bogey, but quickly regained her footing, firing off four birdies through her last five holes. Her strong finish put her in a tie for the overall lead with a score of one-under-par 143.
After leading in the first round, Doyon carded two bogeys and a double bogey against three birdies on the front nine to make the turn at one-over. Her final nine told a different story, as she played the remainder of her round bogey-free and added birdies on the 15th and 18th, with the latter sending her to a playoff after matching DeKock at one-under-par 143.
DeKock and Doyon set out for hole 18 to begin the playoff that stood between them and the trophy. Both players found the green in two, but each missed their birdie putts. However, Doyon set herself up with a tap-in par, which was enough to secure the win in the 27th Maryland Women’s Open presented by Toyota.
Marking her first victory in over two years, Doyon reflected on how it feels to finish on top again, “It feels really good. It’s been quite a struggle this last year, so it feels nice to finally have my game back and know again that I can win.”
Bani Banwait of North Bethesda, Md., earned the Low Amateur honor after carding two eagles in her final round and finishing with a tournament total of seven-over-par 151.
27th Maryland Women’s Open Senior Champion Mary Leahy
In the Senior division of the 27th Maryland Women’s Open, Mary Leahy of North Potomac, Md., dominated the leaderboard and won the division by four strokes.
Leahy posted a ten-over-par 82 in round one, but a strong performance in round two allowed her to finish with a tournament total of 13-over-par 157. Her comeback also earned her Low Senior Amateur honors.
After her win, Leahy reflected on how she was able to recover during round two, “Yesterday was a little challenge, but it was a challenge for everyone. Today, the putter behaved, and I made a lot of putts, especially on the front and a few on the back.” Leahy added, “We just had a solid round of golf, so I was pretty happy.”
The Maryland State Golf Association would like to thank the membership and staff at The Suburban Club for their hospitality in hosting this MSGA championship. The MSGA would also like to thank our corporate partner, Toyota, for sponsoring the 27th Maryland Women’s Open.
MSGA Mission
To serve, grow, and advance the game of golf in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
