News

ONTARIO, NY -- Competition began at Ontario Golf Club with strong winds and unseasonable cold conditions at the 71st NYS Women's Senior and 17th NYS Super Senior Amateur Championships. 

Related: Results / Photos / Preview / Championship Central

A 93-player field, comprising of 46 Seniors (50+) and 47 Super Seniors (65+) played 18 holes of individual stroke play at Ontario Golf Club, once known as the Brookwoods Country Club. 

Teresa Cleland of Bellevue Country Club opened with a six-over 78 to take command of the leaderboard in the Women's Senior. The seven-time NYS champion, who won the Women's Senior in 2009 and 2010 (when it was Brookwoods), got her day started with an even par front nine. Despite struggling some on the back nine, Cleland stayed consistent and kept her round double bogey free. Cleland holds a one stroke lead heading into the final round. She finished top 5 in both the 2023 tournament at The Whiteface Club and in 2022 at RaNic. 

"I was out there trying to play Ontario the golf course," said Cleland after her round. "My desire today was not to beat the other players, it was to play the best I can on Ontario and see what happens." 

Ingrid Narken of Thendara Golf Club put together a strong performance in Round 1, highlighted by two back nine birdies. The defending champion finished her day seven over, one behind Cleland. Three-time Women's Senior champion Kim Kaul of East Aurora Country Club also turned in a 79 to join Narken at seven over par. Mary Sicard of Queensbury Country Club fired a 80 (+8) to sit in fourth place, two shots off the top of the leaderboard. 

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

---

Barbara Harrison of Oswego Country Club turned in a 75 (+3) to secure the 18 hole lead in the Super Senior field. Harrison saved her best for last on the day, making a birdie on the 18th hole to take the solo lead into the final round. She made only four bogeys, despite the challenging conditions. Harrison has finished in the Top 5 in each of the last two Super Senior tournaments, including a runner-up performance in 2022. 

"I got off the tee, that was the biggest factor in my round," said Harrison in a post-round interivew. "I hit some really good drives today. It felt good to see the work I put into that club pay off."  

Defending champion Karen Feldman of Columbia Golf & Country Club carded a four over 76 and will enter the final 18 one behind Harrison. Feldman, who also finished T3 in the 2022 championship, made five birdies in the up-and-down performance. Despite two doubles on the day, her back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 brought her right back into the mix. 

Joy Florczak of Ravenwood Golf Club turned in a 78 (+6) to sit in solo third, while Kimberly Baker of Columbia Golf & Country Club finished at seven over. 

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