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COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – As they eyed a title defense heading into Tuesday's final round, Kim Kaul and Janice Lavigne were one shot behind the remaining 2025 NYS Senior Women’s Four-Ball competitors. Not only did the team defend their championship, but the East Aurora CC and Durand Eastman GC duo posted the lowest overall score in championship history.With a final-round eight-under 64, the side turned in a seven-under 36-hole total to complete a runaway nine-stroke victory. This marks their third Senior Women’s Four-Ball title in four years, having also won at Stafford CC in 2022. 

In the Open Division, Merrilyn Gibbs (LPGA Amateur Golf Association) and Lorraine Vultaggio (NYC, LPGA Amateur Golf Association-Long Island) found themselves in the winner's circle a year after finishing runner-up in 2024. The pair shot 77-74 to win by 14 strokes.

Related: Scoring / Pairings / Photos / Rd 1 Recap 

Kaul/Lavigne shot one-over on Monday, and they were paired with the leaders going into the final round, Laura Couch (Mohawk Golf Club) and Mary Scatena (Pinehaven Country Club). Kaul/Lavigne had a hot start and made quick work of the lead with birdies on three of the first five holes to reach the top of the leaderboard. As they made the turn with a four-stroke lead, they continued to pour it on with four birdies on the back nine and an eagle from Lavigne on the 15th hole. The duo went 73-64, defeating the field by nine strokes. 

As long-time golf partners and now three-time Senior Women's Four-Ball champions, Kaul and Lavigne met through the Western Organization for Women’s Golf, which was combined in Rochester and Buffalo.

“We don’t have walls with each other, we can say things and know we won’t hurt each other’s feelings ... there’s a big trust factor and we have a lot of trust in each other.”

Lavigne noted the unhappy performance the day before with an over-par showing and what led to a dominant performance the day after.

“We bounced back really well; the same thing last year, so let’s just keep plugging it, never really bothered us in our heads to create distress.”

Gibbs/Vultaggio, formerly runner-ups in 2024, made the trip from downstate, coming back after last year's three-shot defeat. This year was different, as the pair had control the entire way in the Open Division. 

“Mission Accomplished," was the pair’s takeaway after placing runner-up the year before. It was also the second time they had ever played together at an event. The two met playing the MWGA Pub Links championship in 2022, where Gibbs won. 

“It’s a different way of mindset, I play more aggressively and go for shots I wouldn’t typically go for," Gibbs said.

The Senior Division's round one leaders, Couch/Scatena, took home solo second at two over. Susan Kahler/Heidi Harkins (Ballston Spa Country Club) held a solo share of third place after going 73-75 (+4). In solo fourth place was Ingrid Narken (Thendara golf course)/Louise-Anne Morin (McCann golf course) battling back after a five-over first round, posting a score of even par the second day, 77-72 (+5). Wrapping up the top 5 were the 2018-19 champions, Teresa Cleland (Bellevue CC) / Carina Watkins (Drumlins GC), posting a score of 6 over, 76-74.

The net winners were Katie Perkins (Penfield Country Club) and Daryl Perlo (Webster Golf Club), who finished with a net total of 2-over par.

The senior net winners were Cheryl Potter (Canajoharie G&CC) and Linda Kolnick (Wiltwyck Golf Club), scoring a net total of 10-under par.