News

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Last year’s New York State Women’s Amateur champion, Bailey Cocca will be playing in the Fuccillo Kia Classic of NY this weekend, a Symetra Tour stop at Capital Hills in Albany. 

The three-time state titleholder tees off on #1 on Friday at 9:31am alongside Anna Appert Lund of Sweden and Kristy McPherson of South Carolina.

Cocca, now an assistant pro at nearby Normanside CC in Delmar, received one of two sponsor exemptions for this year’s tournament. She last competed in the event after winning the New York State Girls’ Junior (second consecutive) title back in 2010.

The Latham native has matured a lot in the seven years since her last appearance. After graduating from Shaker High School in the spring of 2012, Cocca played at University at Albany and led the team as a freshman during the ECAC championships. She transferred to Coastal Carolina as a sophomore and by the end of her  senior year was ranked fifth on the Chanticleer career list with a 75.76 scoring average and made the Big South All-Championship Team.

Shortly after receiving her diploma, Cocca claimed the 2016 NYS Women’s Amateur Championship at Elmira Country Club in dramatic fashion. She entered the final round three shots behind the leader Marianna Monaco and tied with 2015 (defending) champ, Kyra Cox. The three players remained tight throughout the final round and after a one-hole sudden death playoff, Cocca became a state champion once again.

Also in the field this weekend is professional Nannette Hill, who won the NYS Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship three consecutive years from 2000-02.

Famous golf television personality Dottie Pepper, from Saratoga, won the event as an amateur in 1985 when it was called the Futures Tour. Pepper too has won three state amateur titles including wins at the 1981 Women’s Amateur as well as the 1981/83 Girl’s Junior Amateurs.

You can purchase tickets on-site at $10 per day or a three-day pass for $20. 

Symetra Tour Homepage

For full opening round pairings, click here.