Cox and Mullin Win N.Y.S. Women's Championships at Tuscarora Golf Club

July 16, 2015

MARCELLUS, N.Y. -- Kyra Cox, from Centennial Golf Club in Putnam County, matched par-72 in Thursday’s final round, finishing at 1-over 217 to win the 86th New York State Women’s Amateur Championship.

The 15-year-old Cox, a sophomore at John Jay High School in Cross River, won by two strokes over another 15-year-old, Lindsay May of Owasco Country Club in Auburn.  May, a two-time state scholastic champion, closed with the day’s only under-par round, a 1-under 71. May took runner-up honors.

Lauren Petty, from Timber Banks Golf Club in Baldwinsville, placed third with a final round 74 for a three-day total of 223.

Second-round leader Larissa Carter from Auburn, who set the women’s competitive course record at the 92-year-old club with a 67 on Wednesday, fell to fourth place at 224 after a final round 81.

Cox quickly moved several strokes clear of her fellow competitors, Carter, and Bailey Cocca of Shaker Ridge Country Club in Albany (51-71-79--225). She never inquired about what was going on up ahead with May.

“I just wanted to stick to my game plan, concentrate on my own shots and let the chips fall where they may,” Cox said.

May never was able to get closer than the final two-stroke margin.

Dani Mullin from the Long Island community of West Islip, fired the only par-72  round of the championship and cruised to victory in the 7th New York State Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, which was held concurrently at the same site from a shorter set of tees for players 25 years of age and up.

The 25-year-old Mullin, playing one of her first tournaments after battling a shoulder injury for three years, finished the Mid-Am with a 9-over 225. Mull won by nine strokes over Kim Kaul of Gowanda Country Club near Buffalo. Lauren Cupp of Rome Country Club, who began the final round just a  stroke behind Mullin, slipped back to third at 235 after a final round 81.

“The first hole was the key,” said Mullin of the hole where her lead expanded from one to three strokes. “I hit one in close and made birdie and Lauren took three putts to get in for bogey.”

Mullin, a 2012 graduate of Elon College (N.C.), is headed to Rancho Mirage, Calif., next for Stage One of LPGA qualifying school.

To view final results from the Women's Amateur, click here. To view final results from the Women's Mid-Amateur, click here.

To view photos from the Final Round of the Women's Amateur, click here. To view photos from the Final Round of the Women's Mid-Amateur, click here.

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-- Chuch Harty