Narken & Feldman Earn First Individual NYS Titles at 2023 Women's Senior

August 23, 2023

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – The 70th NYS Women’s Senior Amateur Championship saw an exciting final round of action as several former champions hovered around the top of the leaderboard to pressure the lead at Whiteface Club & Resort.

However, a new champion emerged, as Ingrid Narken of Thendara Golf Course captured her first individual state title. She carded a 73 on Wednesday to finish at 6-over 148 and win by two strokes.

Related: Final Results / Photos / Rd 1 Recap / Program / Preview / Past Winners

It’s been great to be a part of this group of women,” said Narken. “They love golf so much and are so supportive of one another. I meet new people, and I see them at each event. I am happy to be part of this family.”

Although this is her first time hoisting the Anne Coupe Memorial Cup, she’s had state-level success this season on the golf course. Recently, she captured the NYS Women’s Senior Amateur Four-Ball in July at Sodus Bay Heights Golf Course with teammate Sandra Jackson.

“This has been a good month; I have been playing some good golf. It was a shaky spring, so I am very happy I am peaking at the right moment,” Narken mentioned about the two state titles this season. 

Finishing as runner-up for a second straight year is Carolyn Mancini of Binghamton Country Club. She bettered her opening-round 76 with a 74 on the second day. This now marks three consecutive runner-up finishes for the Southern Tier player as she also tied for 2nd place at the 2023 NYS Women’s Mid-Amateur.

Tied for third was first-round leader and 2018 champion Tammy Blyth who shot the tournament-low score of 71 on the first day. The Monroe Golf Club member allowed more mistakes in the final round and finished at 12-over (154). At the same number was two-time champion Teresa Cleland, who followed up her first-round 81 with a 73 to close out.

Tied for fifth were three-time NYS Women’s Senior champions, Mary Sicard of Queensbury Country Club, and Kim Kaul of East Aurora Country Club. They both finished at 158.

The course was set up at 5,301 yards and played to a par of 71.

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In the 16th NYS Women’s Super Senior Amateur, Karen Feldman charged up the leaderboard in the final round with a 76 to win by a stroke.

During Thursday’s shotgun format, she teed off No. 10 at Whiteface, while the leaders all teed off No. 1 together. 

Those leaders were 2022 Senior Am champion Susan Kahler of Ballston Spa, 2021 and 2022 defending champion Mary Jo Kelly of Wolferts Roost, 2022 runner-up Barbara Harrison of Oswego Country Club, and 2021 runner-up Deborah Enders of eClub – CNY.

Feldman’s group finished early, and she sat and waited to see the leaders come in and where her score would fall on the leaderboard. 

“I had a good day, but I just figured that in that group, there were such good players, that I wasn’t going to make up four shots,” said Feldman. “So I am not sure it has sunk in.”

This year’s runner-up, Susan Kahler, who decided not to defend her Senior title from 2022, missed a birdie putt on 18 and the championship title was Feldman’s. Kahler finished at 17-over 159. 

Feldman, who plays at Columbia Golf & Country Club, had carded a birdie-free 82 on the first day but then played pressure-free golf on Wednesday to catch the leaders after starting the morning four strokes behind defending champion, Kelly.

“It’s an honor to be a state champion. A few years ago, we won the four-ball state championship, and it still sticks with me. So, I know that I will feel special about this forever.”

Kelly, who was tied with Enders at the top position after 78s in round one, finished in third place at 18-over 160.

Harrison finished in fourth with a two-round total of 161.

Shelley Kron of Oneida Community Golf Course rounded out the top five at 162.

For the super senior division, the course played at 4,957 yards and to a par of 71.

Winners were recognized for gross and net in both championships, in the following age groups: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 70-74, 75+

Gross Winners: Nikki Fowler, Stone Creek GC (50-54), Monica Hamilton, Kanon Valley CC (55-59), Teresa Cleland, Bellevue CC (60-64), Kim Kaul, East Aurora CC (65-69), Linda Kolnick, Canajoharie G&CC (70-74), Patricia Roadarmel, Drumlins GC (75+).

Net Winners: Ella Kellog, Glens Falls CC (50-54), Erin Byrnes-Hammond, Pompey Club (55-59), Heidrun Bullmer, Newman Municipal GC (60-64), Joy Hendrick, Cortland CC (65-69), Sandra Kunz, NYSGA eClub – Capital District (70-74), Marianne Ferris, Beaver Meadows GC (75+).