The 23rd Maryland State Women’s Open Championship was held October 17th and 18th at Chevy Chase Club in Chevy Chase, Maryland. 80 professionals and amateurs from across the nation competed in the competition for the championship trophy. This is the first year the championship was open to amateurs outside the state of Maryland. The amateurs were also in competition for the coveted Campbell Cup, which was donated in 2014 to the MSGA Women’s Committee by Bob Morris from Congressional CC, to honor the Low Amateur Champion. The professional purse was $10,000, with a first-place prize of $2,000. In addition to the players competing for the championship trophy, senior players (50+) competed in a separate division for prizes.
It was a sunny, crisp fall day when the tournament began on Monday, with temperatures in the upper 60’s – low 70’s. Despite the near perfect conditions, the fast greens made for a challenging round. Jean Reynolds (p), an LPGA touring professional from Georgia, shot one-under par to lead after day one. Following the leader, Ashley Grier (p), 2006 and 2014 champion, and Jessica Spicer (a) from Cypress Point CC in VA, were able to finish the round at two-over par, leaving Spicer (a) in the lead for the Campbell Cup.
In the Senior Division, Joy Bonhurst (p), an LPGA/PGA teaching professional from MD, and Monique Thorez (p), PGA teaching professional from NY, finished their first round with a 75. Right behind them was CJ Reeves (p), LPGA teaching professional from NY, who shot a 76. There was a three way tie after round one for the low senior amateur; Joan Gardner (a), Mary Cabriele (a), and Katie Cox (a) all shot a 79.
Round 1 Highlight: Diane Willkens (a) in the Senior Division made an eagle on the fifth hole, par 5.
The Senior Division players were the first to arrive at the scoring table on Tuesday. Even with the strong winds and low temperatures, Joan Gardner (a) managed to finish strong in second place of the Senior Division, and captured the Low Senior Amateur title with a 155. CJ Reeves (p), currently in second, wasn’t going to let the weather get in her way of the title. She persevered and came out first in the Senior Division with a score of 150.
With a three stroke lead going into the second round, Jean Reynolds (p) needed to keep her momentum going through the tough conditions. She did exactly that, and came out with the win with an overall score of 142. Tied for runner-up, the battle between Jessica Spicer (a) and Ashley Grier (p) of Yinglings Golf Center in Hagerstown, MD continued on to the second day. Jessica Spicer and her twin sister, Sarah Spicer, were the 2022 VSGA Women’s Four Ball Champions in the Open Division. J Spicer and Grier both shot a 72/73, resulting in a tie break by a match of cards. Grier came out on top in the tie-break with a 34 on the back nine, and Spicer with a 37. Spicer earned her first Low Amateur title in the Maryland Women’s Open winning the Campbell Cup, and Grier continued her streak of top finishes in the Maryland Women’s Open.
Round 2 Highlight: Ashley Grier fought until the very end with two consecutive birdies on par 4 holes #16 and #17, saving her runner-up position.
Jean Reynolds’ total score of 142, the lowest of the event, won her the Open Championship title. Reynolds was awarded the $2,000 cash prize, as well as an MSGA flag signed by all of the players. Her name will also be engraved on the permanent Women’s Open trophy. This was Reynolds’ first Maryland State Women’s Open win.
Overall, the tournament and the course succeeded in identifying worthy champions. The players were delighted to play at the Chevy Chase Club, which previously hosted the Maryland Women’s Open in 2007. Many thanks to head golf professional Adam Hemeon and his entire staff for making the 23rd Women’s Open a great success.
Stay tuned for information on the 2023 Women’s Open Championship.
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