PREVIEW: 96th NYS Women's Amateur & 17th NYS Women's Mid-Amateur

July 16, 2026

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. – The 96th NYS Women’s Amateur and 17th Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships will be held at Pinehaven Country Club from July 20-21.

Sixty-four of the state’s top amateur female players will square off at Pinehaven. The field is split into two championships, Amateur (all ages) and Mid-Amateur (ages 25+). The Amateur field contains 51 players, the Mid-Amateur contains 13.

The Amateur field will play 54 holes across the two days of competition. 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 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.

CHAMPIONSHIP QUICK FACTS

Dates: July 20-21, 2026

Host Site: Pinehaven Country Club, Guilderland, NY.

Defending Champions:

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 to finish at four-over for the championship. Her birdie on the par-3 17th gave her the lead over Kennedy Swedick and eventually the NYS Women’s Amateur Championship.

Natalie Grainger successfully defended her NYS Women's Mid-Amateur title, making her two-for-two in this championship. She came into the final 18 holes on Tuesday seven strokes off the lead. Grangier climbed the leaderboard, posting the best round of the tournament for the Mid-Amateur field with a final round of 74, three-over par.

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 13, 2025. Golfers must keep an active, up-to-date USGA handicap issued through their NYSGA member club, with a maximum handicap of 12.0 (Amateurs) and 16.0 (Mid-Amateurs).

2026 U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR EXEMPTION

The winner of the 2026 NYS Women's Amateur Championship will earn an exemption to compete in the 2026 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, played August 4-9 at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tennessee.

PRIZE FOR LOW JUNIOR (18U)

A separate award will be given to the low junior (18U) golfer. This division will be played concurrently with the 96th NYS Women's Amateur. This division is a Junior Golf Scoreboard-ranked event.

PAR & YARDAGES

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

96th NYS Women’s Amateur and 17th NYS Women’s Mid-Amateur:

Sunday, July 19:

12:00pm. Registration and practice facility open
1:30 - 4:00pm. Practice Rounds

Monday, July 20: Rounds 1 & 2:

6:30am. Practice facility/Registration open
7:30 - 9:54am. Round 1 from tee #1 (Ams)
10:03 - 10:39am. Round 1 from tee #1 (Mid-Ams)
12:00 - 4:00pm. Player lunch
1:00 - 3:24pm. Round 2 from tee #1 (Ams)

Tuesday, July 21: Round 3 (18 holes):

6:30am. Practice facility open
7:30 - 8:10am. Round 2 from tee #1 (Mid-Ams)
8:20 - 10:30am. Round 3 from tee #1 (Ams)
12:00 - 4:00pm. Player lunch
1:00pm. Awards ceremony (Mid-Ams)
3:30pm. Awards ceremony (Ams)

Ties: In the event of a tie for either Championship, a sudden-death playoff will be held immediately following play.

THE FIELD

The 96th Women’s Amateur Championship field contains the following past champions:

Hayden Knapp, 16, of Glens Falls Country Club, is the defending champion of the Women’s Amateur. A final round of even par gave her the win at St. George’s G&CC. A member of Team New York, she also won the 2026 NYSPHSAA Girls Golf Championships. Knapp is ranked 291st in the Rolex AJGA Rankings. In 2025 and 2024, she was named the Times Union Albany Girls Golfer of the Year.

Lily Zhang, 18, of Park Country Club, took home the Women' s Amateur title in 2023 at Corning CC. Zhang, the second youngest winner in championship history, went 77-75-72 (+8) to take her first NYS championship by six strokes. The Williamsville native placed 4th in last year's NYS Women’s Amateur Championship.

The 17th Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship field contains the following past champions:

Natalie Grainger, 49, of Apawamis Club, is the two-time defending champion of the Women's Mid-Amateur. Her five-stroke victory in 2024 was her first NYS title and she followed it up with an eight-stroke win in 2025. Grainger is a former professional squash player who once reached World No.1 status.

Samantha Schuffenecker, 36, of Shaker Ridge CC won the 2023 Women’s Mid-Am by four shots, as she turned in the only even-par round of the tournament in the final round. She also claimed the inaugural Capital Region Women's Amateur at McGregor Links in 2024. The Troy native played four years of collegiate hockey at Connecticut College as well as varsity golf at UAlbany, where she tied for seventh at the 2014 MAAC Championship.

Lauren Cupp, 41, of Yahnundasis Golf Club won the 2017 Women’s Mid-Am at Schuyler Meadows Club. Cupp was also part of the winning duo of the 2019 NYS Women’s Four-Ball Championship and finished in second earlier this year. She has claimed the CNY PGA’s AIM Championship six times after a victory in 2025. Cupp is the women’s golf head coach at Hamilton College, and a world-ranked speed golfer.

Other NYSGA Champions in the Women’s Amateur Field:

Nina Choe, 17, of Pelham Country Club, won the 2026 Girls’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship earlier this month at Calvary Club. Her victory by five strokes marked her first NYS title. Choe is ranked 50th in the Rolex AJGA Rankings. She won the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girls' Golf Championships, shooting -6 for the tournament to win by 7 strokes. Choe is a member of Team New York and is committed to golf at UC Davis. She finished T5 in last year’s championship.

Natalie Wasik, 14, of Lockport Town & CC, is a two-time defending champion of the Girls’ 14U State Championship. In May she won the All Catholic State Championship while breaking the low-score record for the tournament. Last summer, she also won the US Kids Canadian Invitational. Wasik is a member of Team New York.

Amelie Phung, 18, of Youth on Course - MGA, captured the 2025 Girls’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship. She bested her younger sister, Alexandra, in a playoff after 54 holes at McGregor Links CC. Phung won the Women's North Atlantic Amateur earlier this month and finished runner-up in the Women's Porter Cup in 2024. This is her first time in the Women’s Amateur.

Sophia Li, 18, of MGA eClub - NYC, has won the Girls’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship twice (2022, 2024) and is a past Drive, Chip and Putt champion (2019). The Dartmouth College sophomore was named All-Ivy Honorable Mentions after four top 10 finishes in eight starts. She owns an undefeated high school golf record at Hunter College HS and boasts four Public Schools Athletic League championships. Li finished 15th in last year’s event.

Julia Zigrossi, 20, of Ridgemont Country Club claimed the 2021 NYS 18U Girls’ Junior Amateur at Seven Oaks GC. 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 20th last year, solo 4th in 2024 and T3 in the 2023 Women’s Amateur Championship at Corning CC. She plays collegiate golf at Western Kentucky University.

Nicole Criscone, 20, of Eagle Crest Golf Club, partnered with Jared Trudeau to win the 2025 NYS Amateur Mixed Team Championship at Seven Oaks GC. Criscone is a member of the University of Albany women’s golf team.

Jane Fanning, 19, of NYSGA eClub - Capital Region, won the 2026 NYS Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship last month at Leatherstocking Golf Course with Dannah Smith. Fanning recently wrapped up her freshman year golfing at Kenyon College.

Dannah Smith, 20, of Orchard Creek Golf Club, won the 2026 NYS Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship last month at Leatherstocking Golf Course with Jane Fanning. Smith also won the 2026 Nancy Kroll Women's Championship this June. The Schenectady native golfs at Monmouth, where she is a rising junior.

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

Kim Kaul, 68, of East Aurora Country Club, won the 2025, 2024, and 2022 NYS Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball with Janice Lavigne. She is a seven-time NYS champion having also won the NYS Senior Women’s Amateur three times (2008, 2015, 2021). Her most recent Senior Am title came at Pinehaven. Kaul qualified for the 63rd U.S. Senior Women's Am last year.

Janice Lavigne, 70, of Ravenwood Golf Club, won the 2025, 2024 and 2022 NYS Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championships with Kim Kaul. She was the 2007 NYS Women’s Senior Amateur Champion at the Whiteface Club.

MerriLyn Gibbs, 48, of LPGA Amateur Association - NYC, was inducted into the California University of Pennsylvania Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025. She coached their women’s golf team from 2005-16. Gibbs won the 25th MGA/WMGA Women’s Public Links Championship at Sterling Farms Golf Course in 2023, as well as the 2025 NYS Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship.

Patricia Mayne, 64, of Western Turnpike Golf Club, claimed the 2021 Women's Senior Amateur Four-Ball title with Karen Feldman at Lakeshore Yacht and Country Club.

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

Sadie Goodman, 16, of Anglebrook Golf Club, recently finished second in the NYS Girls’ 18U Junior Amateur as she led after round one. She shares the women’s record for lowest score in a competitive round at Calvary Club. She is ranked 396th in the Rolex AJGA rankings and is verbally committed to golf at High Point University. Goodman finished T11 in last year’s championship.

Yasmina Oralkhan, 16, of MGA eClub - New York City, is coming off a win at the MET PGA Junior Tour Eisenhower White tournament in May. Oralkhan also had six MET PGA Junior Tour wins in nine starts along with two AJGA tournament wins in 2025. She is the 189th ranked player in the Rolex AJGA Rankings and is a member of Team New York. She finished T16 in last year’s event.

Aliya Liberatore, 19, of Yahunundasis Golf Club, finished two shots behind the lead, in third place, in last year’s event. Liberatore plays collegiate golf at University of South Florida. Earlier this month, she got second place at the Women's North Atlantic Amateur. She is ranked 1409th by the WAGR.

Olivia Deakins, 21, Ardsley Country Club, captured the 23rd Women’s Met Amateur Championship at Sunningdale Country Club last year. She recently finished her collegiate golf career at Minnesota. She is ranked 2035th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Deakins finished 18th in last summer’s championship.

Ava La Belle, 22, of SGATOUR.com, golfs at Florida Southern, where she earned All-SSC Third Team honors. She helped her squad reach the NCAA South Regional and had the best stroke-average on the team. La Belle has finished top 15 in the Women’s Am twice but did not compete last year.

Brooke Graebe, 29, of Meadow Brook Club, played in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. Graebe played collegiately at TCU and was named Big 12 Women's Golfer of the Month during her freshman year. Graebe was also named 2013 Girls Golfer of the Year by the OC Register.

Delaney Abel, 15, of Corning Country Club, recently won the 2026 Rochester District Junior Girls’ title. She also tied for third place in the 2026 NYSPHSAA Girls' Golf Championships earlier this season. Additionally, she was T1 at the NYS Federation golf championship in 2025. She finished 8th at the New York State Girls 18U Junior Championship a couple weeks prior. She is also a member of Team New York. Abel finished in 21st at last year’s Women’s Amateur.

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

Beryl Wang, 28, of MGA eClub - Hudson Valley, was a team captain for Yale Women’s Golf. Wang earned a second alternate spot in qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship last September. She finished fourth in last year’s State Women’s Mid-Am.

Catherine Kim, 29, of MGA eClub - New York City, qualified for the 39th U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur through stroke play qualifying conducted by NJ Golf. Kim shot three-over in qualifying and avoided a playoff by one stroke.

Mimi McAndrew, 43, of Piping Rock Club, qualified for the 39th U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship earlier this month. McAndrew won the Long Island Women’s Amateur in 2024 clearing the field by two-shots at Bethpage Red. That year, she also played in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Brae Burn Country Club, in stroke play she made the cut and her tournament ended in the Round of 32.

Youngest in the field

13 – Taerin Lee

14 – Reagan Paolini

14 – Natalie Wasik

14 – Nina Dahl

Team New York Members in the Field

Delaney Abel, Nina Choe, Hayden Knapp, Yasmina Oralkhan, Rachel O’Rourke, Daniella Elizabeth Sutor, Natalie Wasik, Hailey Yap, Lily Zhang

2002 WOMEN’S AMATEUR AT PINEHAVEN

13-year-old Megan Grehan, from Westchester CC, captured the Women's Amateur at Pinehaven. In doing so, she became the youngest Women's Am titleist, taking the record from Dottie Pepper, a record that still stands. The Rye native also prevented Danielle Downey from winning a fourth consecutive title. Grehan was so dominant that she never stepped past the 15th green in matchplay format.

OTHER PAST NYSGA CHAMPIONSHIPS HOSTED AT PINEHAVEN

2021 - Women’s Senior Amateur Championship, won by Kim Kaul

2021 - Women’s Super Senior Amateur Championship, won by Mary Jo Kelly

2008 - Men’s Amateur Championship, won by Jeff Wolniewicz

2002 - Women’s Amateur Championship, won by Megan Grehan

1998 - Men’s Amateur Championship, won by Brian Smith

1991 - Women’s Senior Amateur Championship, won by Frances Stearns

PINEHAVEN COUNTRY CLUB

The 96th NYS Women’s Amateur heads to Pinehaven CC, long-standing host of the Epson Tour’s Twin Bridges Championship.

Founded in 1960, the course’s demanding layout is carved through the historic pine bush area of Albany County. Recent renovations led by Rick Jacobson have enhanced the course, which is routed over sandy soil. Pinehaven is balanced with par 3's and par 5's of varying lengths and par 4's that require strategic lines of play.

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