Knapp Captures 95th NYS Women's Am, Grainger Reclaims Mid-Am Title

July 15, 2025

EAST SETAUKET, N.Y. — Final round play at the 95th NYS Women's Amateur and 16th Women's Mid-Amateur wrapped up on Tuesday at St. George's Golf and Country Club in Long Island.

Related: Championship Central / Scoring / PhotosPast Winners / Day 1 Recap 

Hayden Knapp, of Glens Falls Country Club, fought until the end with three birdies on the back nine to claim the Oak Hill Cup by one stroke at four-over for the championship. Knapp recently finished in the top 10 in the NYS Girls' 18U Junior Championship at McGregor Links in Wilton, N.Y., and finished runner-up in this year's NYSPHSAA Girls' Golf Championship. Coming into the final stretch, Knapp needed to make up strokes. With a birdie on 17, she was able to take the lead going into the final hole.

 

Kennedy Swedick, of NYSGA eClub - Capital Region, had a share of the lead down the stretch until her first shot on 17 ended up rolling down the front of the green, which she settled for bogey. The shot swing on hole 17 for both of the two ended up being the difference, as Knapp made par to secure the championship at only 15 years old.

Knapp after the round, "That last stretch of holes, I did not look at the leaderboard, I just tried to hit the shot in front of me and not worry about it, just not change anything from the round and the nine holes before."

"Not getting too aggressive when the situation does not allow for it.. My caddy was a big help. He kept me on track and my mindset of not being over concerned with my score and just hitting the shot that is in front of me."

Swedick finished runner-up to Knapp at five-over par for the championship. The rising sophomore at the University of Virginia won this event in 2022 at McGregor Links and was the only player to shoot under par on Tuesday with a round of 70 (one under). Aliya Liberatore, of Yahnundasis Golf Club, had a share of the lead going into the final round, was off to a hot start on Tuesday with two birdies on the front nine, and finished in solo third place at six-over par. The 2023 NYS Women's Amateur Champion, Lily Zhang, of Park Country Club, finished at 10 over for the two rounds. Wrapping up the top five in this year's NYSPHSAA Girls' Golf Championship, Nina Choe of Pelham Country Club posted a tournament total of 12 over par. Tied with her was the defending NYS Women's Amateur Champion, Ina Kim-Schaad.

Wrapping up the top 10, Daniella Elizabeth Sutor, of Met PGA Junior Golf Club, shared the seventh spot with Mackenzie Tyler, of The Rock Golf Club, finishing at 13 over par. Amanda Phillips, of MGA eClub- New York City, claimed solo ninth while Corinna Limbocker, of The Tuxedo Club, turned in 16 over for the championship.

Knapp is now exempt in this year's U.S. Women's Amateur Championship at Brandon Dunes Golf Resort, in Brandon, Oregon, from August 4-10. 

In the Mid-Amateur field, Natalie Grainger, of Apawamis Club, successfully defended her NYS Women's Mid-Amateur title, making her two-for-two in this championship. 

The 48-year-old and former number one squash player in the world, came into the final 18 holes on Tuesday seven strokes off the lead. She climbed the leaderboard, posting the best round of the tournament for the Mid-Amateur field with a final round of 74, three-over par. The final round consisted of three birdies after a first round of none and a 10-shot swing from the two rounds for Grainger. 

Grainger after the round, "I struck the ball very well today, I was comfortable rolling the putts, and I rolled a nice birdie on two, and it helped me get going. My speed on the putts was generally really good today."

Runner-up to Grainger was Lee Ann Lewis, of Southward Ho Country Club, at 22 over par for the tournament. Following her was Julie Murphy of Brookfield Country Club, at 24 over par and with a third-place finish. The round one leader, Beryl Wang, of MGA eClub- Hudson Valley, claimed fourth place, one shot behind Murphy. Wrapping up the top five was 2023 champion, Samantha Schuffenecker, of Shaker Ridge Country Club, at 26 over par.