News

ONTARIO, NY -- Each of the 71st NYS Women's Senior Amateur and 17th Super Senior Amateur fields saw wire-to-wire victories at Ontario Golf Club. 

Related: Championship Central / Final Results / Photos / Round 1 Recap

Teresa Cleland of Bellevue Country Club narrowly maintained her 18 hole lead and secured her third Women's Senior title and first in fourteen years. Despite dropping into a three-way tie for the lead, the 2009 and 2010 winner held on thanks to a one over back nine, which allowed her to edge past her competition in a nail-biting finish. Needing two putts from below a steep slope to win on 18, Cleland rose to the ocasion and buried a seven footer for the title. 

"I paced it off, I had over 75 feet, and it had that big hill in the way," said Cleland after her round. "I didn't want to it to end up above the pin, so ended up leaving it about seven feet short. I just thought to myself give it a shot." 

Cleland went 78-76 for the tournament to finish at ten over par. She adds this year's Women's Senior title to a nearly unmatched NYS resume that includes eight state championships. 

"It's unbelievable, you'll wonder if you'll ever be able to win one again," Cleland reflected. "You think you can, but it's hard. It feels that much more special to get it done after all this time." 

Kim Kaul of East Aurora Country Club, another three-time Women's Senior champion, turned in a four over final round and finished as the runner-up. Kaul and Cleland were neck-and-neck for much of the back nine, before three bogeys in Kaul's last five holes separated the two. Needing either a one putt from distance or a Cleland three putt on 18, Kaul fell just short of forcing a playoff. Her official line was 79-76 (+11).  

Ingrid Narkin of Thendara Golf Club carded a final-round 77 to finish in solo third. The defending champion concluded her tournament at 12-over par. Behind Narkin, three players tied in fourth at 19-over par. They included Tammy Blyth of Monroe Golf Club, Monica Hamilton of Kanon Valley Country Club and Janice Lavigne of Ravenwood Golf Club. 

Ontario Golf Club played at 5,369 yards and a Par of 72 for the Senior division. 

---

In the Super Senior field, Barbara Harrison of Oswego Country Club emerged victorious. Harrison ran away with her first NYS title thanks to a final round 72 - the only even par round of the tournament from either field. 

"It's a thrill. A dream come true," Harrison said in a post-round interview. "The love that I have for the game of golf, this just means so much to me." 

Harrison made three birdies and three bogeys in the impressive closing performance. She went 75-72 to finish at three over par, a staggering nine strokes clear of the field. 

"On 16, the short Par-4, I ended up in the bunker," said Harrison. "I got out and I made the putt and thought to myself I guess it's meant to be." 

Reigning champion Karen Feldman of Columbia Golf & Country Club finished as the runner-up with a 76-80 (+12) tournament. Joy Florczak of Ravenwood Golf Club turned in a 14-over tournament to finish in third place, while Kimberly Baker turned in rounds of 79 and 82 to conclude play in fourth at 17-over. 

Ontario Golf Club played at 5,016 yards and a Par of 72 for the Super Senior division. 

Age group winners were also recognized during this year's championships:

• 50-54: Christy Malo (Gross) / Michelle Ricciardi (Net)
• 55-59: Monica Hamilton (Gross) / Ella Kellog (Net)
• 60-64: Ingrid Narken (Gross) / Heidrun Bullmer (Net)
• 65-69: Joy Florczak (Gross) / Rudder Hulce (Net)
• 70-74: Maggie Kril (Gross) / Nancy Freeman (Net)
• 75+: Patricia Roadarmel (Gross) / Upar Siripratoom-Yeager (Net)