Grainger Leads After Round 1 of Women's Mid-Amateur Championship

July 15, 2024

SKANEATELES, N.Y. -- Opening round play at the 94th NYS Women's Amateur and 15th Women's Mid-Amateur progressed per usual until a late afternoon storm rolled in to force suspension of play. 

Related: Results / Photos Preview / Championship Central

The Women's Amateur field, which was scheduled to complete 36 holes on Monday, was forced to stop mid-way through their second of two rounds. The planned 36 hole cut will be applied once the entire field fulfills their second round. Play is scheduled to resume at 7:00 am on Tuesday morning. 

Ina Kim-Schaad of Deepdale Golf Club jumped out to an early lead, firing an astounding 66 (-5) in her first round. The 2019 U.S.Mid-Amateur Champion made only one bogey and closed out the brilliant performance with three straight birdies. Kim-Schaad was at four under when the storm hit and will enter Day 2 with a seven stroke lead. 

Behind Kim-Schaad was Jordan Levitt of MGA eClub - NYS. Levitt turned in a 73 (+2) in her first round and had lost one more stroke in the first twelve holes of her second round. She'll begin play Tuesday in solo second at three-over par. 

Julia Zigrossi of Ridgemont Country Club was the final member of the marquee group that included both Kim-Schaad and Levitt. The 2021 NYS 18U Girls' Junior Amateur Champion started strong with an opening 72 (+1). Zigrossi struggled in her second round and found herself at eight-over for the tournament when the horn sounded to postpone play. Zigrossi will enter Tuesday tied with Olivia Deakins of Ardsley Country Club and Claire Yioulos, who each also came in at eight-over par.

Sofia Nogalo of Hollow Brook Golf Course concluded play in sixth at ten over. 

---

With only 18 holes scheduled for the Women's Mid-Amateur field on Day 1, players were able to complete their rounds without delay. The field will play 18 more holes on Tuesday for a tournament toal of 36.

Natalie Grainger of the Apawamis Club opened with a 74 (+3) to take a two stroke lead into Round 2 . The former professional Squash player, who once reached World No.1 status, overcame a back-to-back bogey start to turn in the low card in the Mid-Am field. 

"They had a couple of tough pin placements out there," said Grainger after her first round. "I found myself looking at the danger and deciding would I be happy with a two-putt and getting out of there or can I maybe attack with some shots here and there sink a few putts." 

Lauren Cupp of Yahnundasis Golf Club and Nikki Fowler of Stone Creek Golf Club each shot a 76 (+5) and sit two back of Grainger heading into play Tuesday. Cupp, who won the 2017 NYS Women's Mid-Amateur Championship, made back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17, but suffered a triple bogey on the Par-5 18th to surrender the 18-hole lead. 

Defending Mid-Amateur Champion Samantha Schuffnecker of Shaker Ridge Golf Course pieced together a solid first round of 77 (+6) to end play in third place. Schuffenecker, who clinched the title with a seven-over tournament at Corning Country Club last June, made three birdies in her first six holes on Monday.

Behind Schuffenecker was nine-time NYS champion Christy Schultz of Oak Hill Country Club, who carded a five-over 78. Schultz has four NYS Mid-Amateur titles under her belt, last winning at Soaring Eagles Golf Club in 2022. 

Two more highly decorated New York State golfers - Kim Kaul of East Aurora Country Club and Teresa Cleland of Bellevue Country Club - turned in opening rounds of 80 (+9) to sit six back of Grainger.