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COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- The sixth New York State Women's Amateur and Senior Amateur Four-Ball is officially underway. 38 sides took to Leatherstocking Golf Course on Monday for the first round of competition.

With a one over 73 on Monday, Rheanna DeCrow (RaNic GC) and Annika Michel (NYSGA eClub - Western NY) hold a one stroke lead in the amateur field. 

In the senior category, Kim Kaul (East Aurora CC) and Janice Lavigne (Durand Eastman GC) turned in an even par 72 to lead by one. 

Related: Scoring / Photos / Preview

DeCrow and Michel, both members of the Ithaca College Womens' golf team, played steady golf throughout the day, making the occasional circle or square on the scorecard. Sitting at even or one under throughout the majority of round one, a closing bogey dropped the pair to 73, one clear of the field. 

"There are holes out there that play well for my shot shape that don't play well for hers and vice versa" said DeCrow, "Overall, we balance eachother out very well." 

"We weren't as on as we would have liked to be," said Michel after the round, "There's a lot of room to go for it a little more tomorrow." 

Paired up with DeCrow and Michel, MerriLyn Gibbs (LPGA Amateur Golf Association - NYC) and Lorraine Vultaggio (LPGA Amateur Golf Association - Long Island) got around at two-over 74 on Monday. They will begin final round play one back of the 18-hole leaders. Debra DiMaggio (Ballston Spa & CC) and Michelle Krasodomski (Edison Club) sit in third place, two behind DeCrow and Michel, after opening with a 75 (+3). 

Kaul / Lavigne's 72 proved to be the day's lowest score across both fields. The 2022 champions set the tone early with an opening birdie, before making nine straight pars on the back nine to finish at even. 

"If we did get in trouble, we made some nice saves," said Kaul in a post-round interview, "If we were out of position, we were just able to get the ball back in play and have a look for birdie." 

"Putting will be a big key tomorrow," said Lavigne, "Our putting was a little off today, so we can improve in that regard tomorrow." 

Three sides - Teresa Cleland (Bellevue CC) / Carina Watkins (Drumlins GC), Karen Feldman (Columbia G&CC) / Mary Jo Kelly (Wolferts Roost CC) and Heidi Harkins  / Susan Kahler (Ballston Spa & CC) - came in at one over par (73) and will begin play one behind the leaders on Tuesday. Deborah Enders (Foxfire GC) / Nikki Fowler (Stone Creek GC) as well as Mary Diefendorf (Canajoharie G&CC) / Debora Langevin (Cobleskill G&CC) are currently tied at four over, and will look to overcome a four stroke deficit on Tuesday. 

The final round will kick off Tuesday morning with a shotgun start scheduled for 9:30 am.