Megan Buck Wins Her First NEGA Women's Amateur Championship

North Conway, New Hampshire – Megan Buck (Thorny Lea GC; MA) splashed her way to the lead in Round 1 and then rallied in Wednesday's third and final round to hoist the New England Golf Association’s Women’s Amateur championship trophy for the first time. Buck saved her best round for last with a 1-under 70 to edge two-time defending champion Shannon Johnson (Thorny Lea GC; MA) by one stroke at North Conway Country Club. 

Buck finished T2 with Krystal Knight (Bradford CC) last year, but this year Buck held steady throughout, following up consecutive 72s in the first two rounds with three birdies and only two bogeys in the final round. 

"I always enjoy playing in this event, and I'm just so happy I could pull off this win to start the competitive season," Buck said.​

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Johnson began the day in first place but was 3-over on the back nine. Buck took the lead with consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th, and though Johnson pulled within a stroke with a birdie on the 17th, she ran out of room to catch Buck.

Alison Paik (Ledgemont CC; RI) finished third (74-69-75--218) but took home the Kathy Albright Junior Trophy by six strokes. Paik, who will attend Columbia University in the fall, began Wednesday in second place but only made one birdie in the final round. 

Susan Curtin, of Boston Golf Club in Massachusetts, won the Carol Patton Senior Trophy by a commanding 12 strokes, finishing fourth overall (75-73-75--223). Tara Watt (Derryfield CC; NH) finished with a 74 to the top five with Morgan Smith, as both finished with a three day score of 11-over 224. Jordan Laplume (Dunegrass CC) led all Maine entries by carding her championship-best 73 to place T7 with Jennifer Keim (Dennis Pines GC; MA). Both finished at 12-over 225 .

Donna DiIeso (Meadow at Peabody; MA) carded her best championship score of 86 to clinch the Sydney Arnold Legend Trophy. 
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After firing a pair of 78s in the first two rounds, Caroline Fang (Beaver Meadow GC; NH) finished with an 82 to win the Tournament Division (gross) by seven strokes. Ruth Colucci (Biddeford-Saco CC; ME) earned the net title (71-72-72-215). 

For more information, visit the NEGA web site at negagolf.org. Follow the NEGA on social media @NEGA_Golf.