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SKANEATELES, N.Y. – The 94th NYS Women’s Amateur and 15th Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships will take place at Skaneateles Country Club July 15-16, 2024. 

Related: Pairings / Live Scoring / Championship Central / Program / Photos / Past Winners / 2023 Recap

70 of New York State’s top amateur female players will tee it up at Skaneateles. The field will be split into two championship fields - Amateur (all-ages) and Mid-Amateur (25+). 

The Amateur field will play 54 holes across the two days of competition, while those in the Mid-Amateur bracket will play 18 holes on both Monday and Tuesday for a 36-hole total. The Amateur bracket will feature a 36-hole cut after the end of play on Monday, with the top 30 and ties moving on to the final 18 holes on Tuesday. There will not be a cut applied to the Mid-Amateur field, and each player will complete 36 holes.

Click Here To Watch the NYS Women's Amateur Course Preview Video

CHAMPIONSHIP QUICK FACTS

Dates: July 15-16, 2024

Host Site: Skaneateles Country Club, Skaneateles, N.Y.

Defending Champions: Lily Zhang, Park CC (Amateur), and Samantha Schuffenecker (Mid-Amateur)

Format: 
Amateur - 54 holes of individual stroke play, played over two days*
*Field will be cut to top 30 and ties after 36 holes. 

Mid-Amateur - 36 holes of individual stroke play, played over two days*
*No cut. 

Eligibility: The championship is open to female amateur golfers who are recognized as active NYSGA members. To compete as a mid-amateur, golfers must be 25 years of age as of July 15, 2024. Golfers must keep an active, up-to-date USGA handicap issued through their NYSGA member club (no limit).

2024 U.S. Women's Amateur Exemption: The winner of the 2024 NYS Women's Amateur Championship will earn an exemption to compete in the 2024 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, played August 5-11 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Prize For Low Junior (18U):
A separate division/award will be given to the low junior (18U) golfer. This division will be played concurrently with the 94th NYS Women's Amateur, which is a 54 hole stroke play competition. This division is a Junior Golf Scoreboard ranked event. 

PAR & YARDAGES

Amateur
6,054 - par 71 (76.3/142) 

Mid-Amateur
5,411 - par 71 (72.4/130) 

94th NYS Women's Amateur

Hole	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
YARDAGE	182	461	355	320	483	390	429	155	369
PAR	3	5	4	4	5	4	4	3	4

 

 

IN: 3,144 yards / OUT: 2,897 yards
TOTAL: 6,041 yards, 36-35-71

15th NYS Women's Mid-Amateur

 

 

IN: 2,782 yards / OUT: 2,595 yards
TOTAL: 5,377 yards, 36-35-71

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

94th NYS Women’s Amateur - Stroke Play, 54 holes
Sunday, July 14: Practice Rounds
Monday, July 15: Rounds 1 & 2 (36 holes) - Cut after to low 30 and ties
Tuesday, July 16: Round 3 (18 holes)

15th NYS Women’s Mid-Amateur - Stroke Play, 36 holes
Sunday, July 14: Practice Rounds
Monday, July 15: Round 1 (18 holes)
Tuesday, July 16: Round 3 (18 holes)
Ties: In the event of a tie for either Championship, a sudden-death playoff will be held immediately following play. 

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THE FIELD

The 94th Women’s Amateur Championship field contains the following past champions: 

Lily Zhang, 16, of Park Country Club will look to defend the Women’s Amateur title she captured at Corning CC last June. Zhang, who became the second youngest winner in championship history, went 77-75-72 (+8) to take her first NYS championship by six strokes. The Williamsville native is coming off Top 20 finishes at the 2023 AJGA Junior Championship and The Porter Cup. 

The 15th Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship field contains the following past champions:

Samantha Schuffenecker, 34, of Country Club of Troy enters play at Skaneateles as the reigning Mid-Amateur Champion. Schuffenecker turned in the only even par round of the tournament in the final round to pull four clear of the field. She also claimed the inaugural Capital Region Women's Amateur earlier this season at McGregor Links. The Troy native played four years of collegiate hockey at Connecticut College (where she was team captain) as well as varsity golf at UAlbany, where she tied for seventh at the 2014 MAAC Championship.  

Christy Schultz, 44, of Oak Hill Country Club is a nine-time NYS Champion, which includes four NYS Women’s Mid-Amateurs  (‘09, ‘10, ‘21, ‘22) and three Women’s Amateurs (‘04, ‘07, ‘08). At McGregor Links in 2022, Schultz fired a one-over tournament to claim the Mid-Amateur field by nine strokes. She began her decorated NYS amateur career with back-to-back Girls’ Junior Amateur Championships in 1996 and 1997. 

Teresa Cleland, 65, of Bellevue Country Club has seven NYS titles under her belt, including three Women’s Mid Amatuer Championships (‘11, ‘12, ‘13). Cleland finished runner-up in last year’s Mid-Am at Corning CC and T3 in 2022. Cleland took home back-to-back Women’s Senior Ams and Women’s Senior Four-Ball titles in 2009-10 and 2018-19 respectively. Cleland was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 and has represented the Empire State at multiple USGA Women’s Amateur events over the years. 

Lauren Cupp, 39, of Yahnundasis Golf Club won the 2017 Women’s Mid-Amateur at Schuyler Meadows Club as well as the 2019 Women’s Four-Ball Championship alongside Pennie Carlo. Cupp is the head golf coach at her alma mater, Hamilton College, and is in charge of both the men’s and women’s teams. Cupp set a world record at the 2021 New York Speedgolf Open Championship after shooting one-under 72 in 50 minutes and 48 seconds. Cupp is a three-time runner-up at the Women’s Mid-Amateur, including in 2018, 2021 and 2022. She finished fifth in last year’s tournament at Corning CC. 

Other NYSGA Champions in the Women’s Amateur Field:

Jordan Levitt, 17, of MGA eClub - NYC won the 2023 NYS 18U Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship at the Lake Placid Club. She was the 36 hole leader at this year’s Junior Amateur at the Links at Hiawatha Landing and finished in second at even par. Earlier this year, Levitt won the Metropolitan PGA Junior, which qualified her for the PGA Junior Girls’ Championship at Congressional. The Notre Dame commit also won the Orlando Junior Open this past winter and the Florida Junior Tour Ocala Open last fall. 

Julia Zigrossi, 18, of Ridgemont Country Club claimed the 2021 NYS 18U Girls’ Junior Amateur at Seven Oaks Golf Club. Zigrossi turned in a three over tournament, finishing three clear of defending Women’s Amateur champion Lily Zhang. Zigrossi also teamed up with Emily Gresham to capture the 2023 Women’s Four-Ball Championship at Sodus Bay Heights GC and Victoria Leach in 2022 at Stafford CC. Zigrossi finished T3 in last year’s Women’s Amateur Championship at Corning CC. 

Annika Michel, 20, of NYSGA eClub - Western NY took home the 2024 Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship with partner Rheanna DeCrow at Leatherstocking GC this past June. The teammates at Ithaca College combined to shoot three over par, 147, to win by three strokes. The Western New York player won the Buffalo District Golf Association Individual Championship in 2023. Michel was an All-Liberty League Honorable Mention in 2024. 

Rheanna DeCrow, 21, of RaNic Golf Club collaborated with Annika Michel to win the 2024 Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Leatherstocking GC. DeCrow, who plays on the Ithaca College Women’s Golf Team, was named First Team All-Liberty League in 2023. 

Victoria Leach, 19, of Transit Valley Golf Club was the 2022 Women’s Amateur Four-Ball champion, alongside fieldmate Julia Zigrossi. Leach, who plays her college golf at Stetson University, made the cut and finished T19 at last year’s Women’s Amateur Championship. 

Other NYSGA Champions in the Women’s Mid-Am Field: 

Kim Kaul, 66, of East Aurora Country Club is a six-time NYS champion and a 2012 inductee of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Most recently, Kaul won the 2024 Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball with Janice Lavigne at Leatherstocking GC. The title at Leatherstocking was Kaul’s second senior four-ball victory (‘22) and added to her impressive resume that also includes three Women’s Senior Amateur Championships (‘08, ‘15, ‘18) and a Senior Mixed Team (‘22). Kaul has been right in the mix in the past three Women’s Mid Amateurs, including a T6 finish at last year’s tournament at Corning CC. 

Julie Murphy, 43, of Brookfield Country Club won the 2017 NYS Amateur Mixed Team Championship with her husband, Michael, in a playoff at Skaneateles Country Club. Murphy also finished as the runner-up in the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship that same season at Schuyler Meadows Club. Murphy took home the Buffalo District Golf Association Individual Women’s Championship in 2020 and is a five-time BDGA player of the year 

Carina Watkins, 63, of Drumlins Golf Club has three NYS senior titles to her name, including the 2011 Women’s Senior Amateur Championship at Clifton Springs CC. The Central New Yorker also took back-to-back Women’s Senior Four-Ball titles in 2018 and 2019. 

Sandra Jackson, 65, of the Whippoorwill Club won the 2023 Women’s Senior Four-Ball, alongside Ingrid Narken at Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club. 

Pennie Carlo, 58, of Kanon Valley Country Club combined with Lauren Cupp captured the 2019 Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championships at Ravenwood GC. Carlo has also represented the Empire State at three U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.

Other Players to Watch in the Women’s Amateur Field: 

Delaney Abel, 13, of Corning Country Club was the youngest player to compete in last year’s tournament, where she made the cut and finished in 24th. Abel won the Section IV title as a 7th grader in 2023 and was recognized as girls’ co-golfer of the year by the Southern Tier Report All-Star Team. Recently, Abel had a strong showing at the 18U Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship, finishing T5 in a field with golfers up to five years her senior. 

Pendleton Bogache, 27, of Deepdale Golf Club qualified for the 2023 Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Stonewall. She nearly qualified for the matchplay bracket, falling short in an 8 for 3 playoff. Bogache played college golf at Georgetown University where she made three top three finishes in her senior season. 

Sophia Cellura, 18, of Oak Hill Country Club recently won the 2024 Onondaga Jr. Invitational Championship and back-to-back women’s club championships at the legendary Oak Hill in 2022 and 2023. She was named the All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year in 2023 and is committed to play college golf at Holy Cross in the fall. 

Nicole Criscone, 18, of Eagle Crest Golf Club finished top 10 in both the 2022 Women’s Amateur at McGregor Links and the 2021 tournament at Teugega Country Club. Criscone was a four-time First Team selection by the Times Union during her high school years and was a key member of the state champion Albany Academy team. The native of Clifton Park just finished her first collegiate season at UAlbany. 

Rosalie Dinunzio, 19, of Transit Valley Country Club is a two-time Buffalo District Champion (2020, 2021) and won the 2022 NYS Section VI High School Championship. Earlier this spring, Dinunzio took home the Hurricane Junior Golf Association’s Major Championship at Bunker Hill in Ohio. She just finished her freshman season at Indiana State, where the Clarence Center native made four starts this past season. She finished 17th at last year’s Women’s Amateur. 

Ina Kim-Schaad, 40, of Deepdale Country Club won the 2019 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Forest Highlands Golf Club and also finished ninth at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Her win at Forest Highlands qualified her for the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Champions Golf Club. Back in 2000, Kim-Schaad finished as the runner-up in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. In the Empire State, Kim-Schaad is the reigning Long Island Women’s Amateur Champion and is a three time winner of the Met Women’s Amateur Championship. 

Hayden Knapp, 14, of Glen Falls Country Club recently finished T5 in the 12-13 age group at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National. As an eighth grader playing for South Glens Falls, she finished T4 at this year’s NYSPHSAA Girls’ Golf Championship. The Gansevoort native won the 2023 NENY PGA Junior Championship at Colonie GC. Knapp finished T13 in last year’s Women’s Amateur Championship and recently finished ninth at this year’s 18U Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship. 

Ava La Belle, 20, of SGATOUR.COM, was one shot off the lead after the first round of last NYS Women’s Amateur Championship at Corning CC and ended up T7. La Belle plays Division I Golf at Florida Southern, where she competed in all eleven events as a Freshman and had four Top-20 finishes. 

Isabella Salerno, 17, of Westchester Country Club is coming off a top-10 finish at this year’s 18U Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship at the Links at Hiawatha. Salerno also finished T7 in last year’s Women’s Amateur Championship and T8 at McGregor Links in 2022. 

Dannah Smith, 18, of Orchard Creek Golf Club won the Schenectady Classic earlier this June, with a one-over 73. The Monmouth University commit is two for two on cuts made at the Women’s Amateur and had her best finish (19th) at last year’s tournament. She finished in third place at this year’s NYSPHSAA State Championships at the Edison Club. 

Daniella Elizabeth Sutor, 16, of MET PGA Junior Golf Club, finished T6 in last year’s Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship at the Lake Placid Club. Sutor, who is Czech, plays in several European events. She won three events in a row this spring, including the APS Junior Tour (Slovakia), Youth Region Tour (Czech Republic) and the Ill Winter Cup (Hungary). 

Kasey Vaughan, 24, of Skaneateles Country Club currently serves as the Tournaments Coordinator at the host venue and will look to bring her local knowledge to this year’s Women’s Amateur Championship. 

Other Players to Watch in the Women’s Mid-Amateur Field: 

Carolyn Mancini, 62, of Binghamton Country Club finished runner-up to Samantha Schuffenecker in last year’s Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Mancini has twice been the runner-up at the NYS Women’s Senior Amateur and successfully qualified for the 2022 U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur at Anchorage Golf in Alaska. 

MerriLyn Gibbs, 46, of LPGA Amateur Golf Association - NYC was recently the runner-up at the Women’s Four-Ball Amateur alongside Lorraine Vultaggio. Gibbs finished T8 in last year’s Women’s Amateur Championship at Corning CC. Gibbs presently serves as the Head Women’s Golf Coach at the California University of Pennsylvania. 

Abigail Rehfuss, 34, of NYSGA eClub - Capital Region is currently an Assistant Coach for the Syracuse University Women’s Lacrosse team, having previously served in similar roles at Siena College and Loyola University Maryland. She previously played in the 2022 NYS Women’s Amateur Championship but did not finish.

PAST NYSGA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT HOST CLUB

1977 NYS Men’s Senior Amateur, Won by John Simonaitis of DeWitt
2009 NYS Boys’ Junior Amateur, Won by Yaroslav Merkulov of Penfield
2009 NYS Boys' 14U Junior Amateur, Won by Gavin Hall of Pittsford
2009 NYS Girls' Junior Amateur, Won by Bailey Cocca of Latham
2013 NYS Boys’ Junior Amateur, Won by Connor Raeman of Canandaigua
2013 NYS Boys' Junior Amateur, Won by Will Thomson of Pittsford
2013 NYS Girls' Junior Amateur, Won by Alexis Hios of Rye
2015 NYS Amateur Mixed Team,  Won by Traci Petrillo, Midvale CC & Stu Harris, Locust Hill CC
2015 NYS Senior Mixed Team, Wendy Burton & Steve Wall, Cortland CC
2016 NYS Amateur Mixed Team, Won by Sara Eichelberger, Brook-Lea CC & Andy Conway, Ravenwood GC
2016 NYS Senior Mixed Team, Pam Meehan & Daniel Meehan, Yahnundasis GC
2017 NYS Amateur Mixed Team, Won by Julie Murphy & Michael Murphy, Brookfield CC
2017 NYS Senior Mixed Team, Lisa Webb & Kevin Webb, Mendon GC
2018 NYS Amateur Mixed Team, Madison Braman, Shaker Ridge & Nicholas Braman, Colonie GC
2018 NYS Senior Mixed Team, Traci Petrillo, Penfield CC & Stuart Harris, Oak Hill CC

SKANEATELES COUNTRY CLUB

Founded in 1915, Skaneateles Country Club is nestled on the shores of beautiful Skaneateles Lake, in the heart of Central New York's renowned Finger Lakes. With its crystal clear water, striking views and wonderful small town charm, Skaneateles, has long been a favorite vacation and getaway spot for everyone from U.S. Presidents to your family. Many positive changes have taken place since the day when eight men of foresight came together to create Skaneateles Country Club. Today it is a thriving, vibrant club with a diverse membership. Its lakeside setting, beautiful facilities and friendly members and employees create a truly winning combination.

Over the years, the club has conducted several U.S. Open and New York State qualifiers, hosted two New York State Junior Championships, as well as hosting the first American-European PGA Junior Ryder Cup matches.

They've also had the privilege of hosting great golfers and special guests over the years, such as Gene Sarazen, Otto Graham, Johnny Unitas, Sergio Garcia, Francesco and Eduardo Molinari, Wayne Levi, Joey Sindelar, not to mention President Bill Clinton, all of whom graced the beautiful facility.