Overnight leader Keith Smith (Franklin CC, MA) outfoxed a field that was in hot pursuit throughout the second and final day of the New England Senior Amateur Championship, securing the win with rounds of 67 and 68 (-7). This marks the fourth consecutive victory for Massachusetts golfers in the event. He also claimed the Super Senior division title by six shots.
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 He called it the biggest win of his life and one that he wasn’t expecting entering the week. “It’s really been a challenging year, frustrating. I have not really played that well this year. I’ve taken more lessons, have given more practice, and just last week, I found a tempo that…you know, when the tempo is right everything kind of falls together,” said Smith.
 Smith entered Tuesday’s play with a two-stroke lead and kept the pedal to the metal, carding four birdies and one bogey on the front nine. When asked about that stretch, Smith said, “I had some good iron shots in there and I made some really good putts…It was kind of scary, you know, because it was just not what’s been going on this year. So, you kind of have to harken back to when you used to play well.”
 While the field tallied six total under par rounds on day one, day two saw 16 red figures. The final four stroke margin doesn’t quite tell the whole story.
 Smith explained that it never quite felt like a runaway victory: “The other two in our group were both under par on the front nine as well. So even though I turned at three under, I think I only picked up one stroke, so you just have to keep grinding and I was just fortunate that it went my way.”
 After a birdie on the par-3 11th, Smith stumbled a bit with back-to-back bogeys on 12 and 13 to give David Marshall (Quinnatisset CC, CT) and Dean Parziale (Agawam Hunt, RI) a glimmer of hope. Suddenly, the lead was just one. However, Smith quickly bounced back with a birdie on 15.
 After the birdie and some bogeys from his competitors, Smith’s lead stretched back to four: “Then we’re just hanging on and don’t do anything stupid.” Which he didn’t, carding three pars to seal the win.
 “It’s the biggest tournament I’ve won, so you know, there’s a lot of butterflies. But you just have to take deep breaths and stay slow, and it’s going to work out.”
 Marshall went on to finish in second at 3-under, while John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC, MA) and past champion John McNeill (Amateur Golf Tour of NE, MA) tied for third at 2-under.

​EAST HADDAM, Connecticut – With an afternoon threat of thunderstorms, this would be the third consecutive New England Senior Amateur Championship effected by rain. Making it through the full field without a rain delay during the first day, there is a collection of low scores at the top of the leaderboard.

With a smooth finish from their morning rounds Dean Parziale (Agawam Hunt, RI) and David Marshall (Quinnatisset CC, CT) tied for the initial lead at 2-under.

With a later start in the day, Keith Smith (Franklin CC, MA) made his way to the top of the leaderboard, with a 2-stroke lead over Parziale and Marshall. With a finish at 4-under, Smith is not stranger to the top of the leaderboard. Smith is a previous Massachusetts Senior Amateur Champion and Player of the Year. 

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Keith Smith had his ups and downs during the day, starting with a bogey-free first-9. Starting on hole 3, his 12th, Smith went bogey-bogey and took himself out of the lead. With an eagle on the par-4 6th, his 15th, it put him back in a position to have the solo lead after day 1.

"I hit the ball solidly with a couple wayward swings, but avoided big damage. I got up-and-down numerous times to keep the round going, and the 88 yard hole-out for 2 really helped the score. The course will punish poor shots and the greens are challenging, but it gives you opportunity as well.  I’ve struggled this year with consistency so I’ll have to play well again tomorrow" said Smith. 

Dean Parziale is no stranger to the top of the leaderboard. Winning back-to-back Rhode Island Senior Four-Ball Championships, the Senior Division of a Rhode Island Mid-Amateur, and the Senior Division of a Rhode Island Stroke Play Championship, however, this is his first chance at a New England Senior Amateur title.

David Marshall is turning heads to the top of the leaderboard during his debut in the New England Senior Amateur. His low profile in the amateur circle will keep things interesting going into a second round and a chance to stay on top.
With more Massachusetts representation among the top five, Ed Garbacik (Westover CC, MA) and Todd Ezold (Twin Hills CC, MA) are tied for 4th at 1-under, 70 with Randy Millen (The Aquidneck Club, RI).
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After completing the first round of stroke play, the Super-Senior Championship is being led by Keith Smith, trailed by Ed Garbacik.

Day 1 Leaderboard
1- Keith Smith (Franklin CC, MA); -4, 67
T2- Dean Parziale (Agawam Hunt, RI); -2, 69
T2- David Marshall (Quinnatissett CC, CT); -2, 69
T4- Ed Garbacik (Westover CC, MA); -1, 70
T4- Todd Ezold (Twin Hills, MA); -1, 70
T4- Randy Millen (The Aquidneck Club, RI); -1, 70
Super-Senior
1- Keith Smith (Franklin CC, MA); -4, 67
T2- Ed Garbacik (Westover CC, MA); -1, 70
T2- Randy Millen (The Aquidneck Club, RI); -1, 70
T4- Kim Perry (Links @ Land Farm, VT); E, 72
T4- Michael Arter (Segregansett CC, MA); E, 72
Top Scores from Each State
Massachusetts - 1 (-4); Keith Smith (Franklin CC, MA)
Rhode Island - T2 (-2); Dean Parziale (Agawam Hunt, RI)
Connecticut - T2 (-2); David Marshall (Quinnatissett CC, CT)
Vermont - T7 (E); Kim Perry (Links @ Land Farm, VT
New Hampshire - T11 (+1); John Flynn (Cochecho CC, NH)
Maine - T18 (+2); Keith Patterson (Biddeford-Saco CC, ME)

About Fox Hopyard
Once voted a top public course for the region, Fox Hopyard is Connecticut's newest private golf club as they make a transition to dedicate themselves to their members. Sitting on 530 acres of rolling hills. With various natural conditions on the course, they seamlessly create a championship level golf course just 30 minutes off the coast of Connecticut.
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BRETTON WOODS, New Hampshire – Team Massachusetts captured the boys division title at the New England Junior Amateur on Wednesday by a landslide. The boys had a 20-stroke lead over second-place finisher Team Connecticut. 
Team Rhode Island captured the Girls Division, finishing with a final score of 5-over. Coming in second was Team Connecticut, shooting 11-over to finish the round. In third was Team Massachusetts, scoring a total of 17-over.
Coming into the final round with an advantage of 17 strokes, Massachusetts cruised to a boys division win with a 3-under Round 3 score. The team was able to count three below-par scores on Wednesday: a 2-under 70 from Patrick Ginnity, and two 1-under 71s from Reese Jensen and Sascha Robinson. Ryan Scollins and Alan Rose both contributed an even-par 72 and 1-over 73. 
The Rhode Island girls' team entered the day with an 3-stroke advantage and stood their ground moving into the last round. The girls were lead by Kylie Eaton, who shot 5-under her first day and 3-over the final day. 
The boys division individual title went to Team Connecticut's Luke Stennett, who finished the championship with a total of 12-under par. Coming in tied for second place was Team New Hampshire's Josiah Hakala and Team Maine's Eli Spaulding, both players trailed one stroke behind Stennett, finishing at 11-under. Tied for fourth were Team Massachusetts players CJ Winchenbaugh and Sascha Robinson, finishing with scores of 8-under.
Team Rhode Island's Kylie Eaton won the girls individual title as she finished the rounds with a total score of 2-under. Following in second was Team New Hampshire's Carys Fennessy, who shot a 2-over to end the round. In third was Team Connecticut's Aoife Devaney who shot 3-over. Taking fourth place was Annie Dai (7-over), of Team Massachusetts.

BRETTON WOODS, New Hampshire - After getting off to a misty start at the New England Junior Amateur Championship on Tuesday, Team Massachusetts and Team Rhode Island never looked back as they took leads in the Boys and Girls Divisions.

Massachusetts finished Rounds 1 and 2 in the Boys Division at 30-under, fueled by a 16-under team score during the first round, and a 14-under performance in the second. In the Girls Division, Rhode Island logged an even team score, 7 strokes ahead of second place Team Connecticut. 

Connecticut boasts the individual leader in the Boys Division: Luke Stennett, who finished with 11-under 133. Leading the Girls Division is Team Rhode Island's Kylie Eaton, shooting 5-under 139 to finish the day. Team New Hampshire's Carys Fennessy trails Eaton by 2 strokes, as she finished the day with a final score of 2-under 142.

Massachusetts' early lead was thanks to strong morning performances from CJ Winchenbaugh and Tom Murdough, who shot a 9-under 63 and 3-under 69, respectively, during Round 1. Winchenbaugh's 63 set a new competitive course record.

It's a tight race for the Boys Division after the first day. There is a four-way tie for second place at 9-under 135 between Team Maine's Eli Spaulding, Team New Hampshire's Josiah Hekala, and Team Massachusetts' CJ Winchenbaugh and Tom Murdough. 

The rest of the teams will have a lot of catching up to do in the Boys Division, as second place is currently 17 strokes behind. In the Girls Division, in second place is Team Connecticut, trailing by 7 strokes.

FALMOUTH, Maine – Joey Lenane felt his time was coming soon. So many times in recent weeks, he had gotten off to great starts only to be overtaken later in the tournament.
This week was different. The North Carolina State standout established himself as the guy to beat from the get-go. He took a four-shot lead into Thursday's final round of the 94th New England Amateur Championship at The Woodlands Club in Maine. And when the rest of the field turned up the heat Thursday, he answered. Despite some nervy moments down the stretch, including a tee shot on the 18th that nearly hooked into a water hazard, Lenane prevailed, finishing 7-under-par total for a two-stroke margin over his friend and 2020 winner John Broderick (Dedham Country & Polo Club).
After tapping in for par, he shared a hug with his father and caddie Tim as the growing gallery applauded the biggest victory of his life.
"I feel like my game has been in a good place ever since I got back home from school, and it's nice to see it pay off," said Lenane, a 19-year-old from Dedham, Massachusetts, who plays out of Boston's George Wright Golf Course. "It's really nice to be able to get it done this week." 
With the victory Lenane also becomes the first person since Jim Salinetti in 2000 to win the New England Amateur on Maine soil. 
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Walking up the 18th may have felt like an eternity for Lenane. Taking driver off the tee for just the third time of the day on the challenging, tree-lined course, Lenane's ball moved left toward the water hazard guarding the entire left side of the hole. Though he was leading by two strokes, a drive through the red stakes may have brought a double-bogey finish into play and made a playoff a possibility. However, Lenane lucked out as his ball ended safe from danger.
"First thing I'm thinking is I'm going to be dropping like 400 yards back," Lenane said smiling. "I said 'let's just try to get a shot on the green regardless if it's in play or not and try to get in with bogey at worse.' The volunteer said they heard it come down but didn't see it. [My playing partner] Caleb Manuel told me you should go up and look up a little further, and we get up there and my dad saw it was plugged in the rough." From there Lenane hit a wedge above the hole and two-putted his way to victory.
Though the nerves showed up late, Lenane started the round in a good spot. He made birdie on the second hole, followed by another on the difficult uphill par-4 4th, which is guarded with four "coffin" bunkers stacked all the way up to the green. After a birdie on 10, he increased his lead to five strokes, but then some of the oil started leaking. He made bogey on the par-5 11th after striking his tee ball into the water and added another bogey on the par-5 16th. Despite that, Lenane didn't lose focus, trusting in his training for these moments.
"I just stuck to my routine. I felt like I did a good job making good decisions and narrowing down on a small target," Lenane said. "I kept telling myself just keep doing that. It's worked the last two days."
It's not surprising that John Broderick was the one who made things the most interesting Thursday. Despite going even-par over the past two days, the Vanderbilt redshirt freshman said he's been playing the best golf of his life. With consecutive birdies on holes 9, 10, 11 and 12, he clawed his way to three back, and then two once Lenane made a bogey on the 11th.
"Being seven back, I knew I had to play well today," said Broderick, who shot a course record 62 at Essex County Club in last week's Massachusetts Amateur Championship. "I still hit the same shots off the tee on every hole. I was hitting it well, so I pretty much had a look at the pin every time. It's hard to win. I've learned that the hard way the past month, as I've played so well, and I've just come short a few tournaments. It just wasn't fully my week."
​Despite that, he was still happy for one of his closest friends in golf.
"I've spent so many nights at Joey's house ever since I was like 12," Broderick said of Lenane. "It's great to see us both play great golf. When you're 13, this is the kind of stuff you dream of being: 1-2 in a tournament. I'm sure I'll get him next time."
Ryan Scollins, Lenane's high school teammate at Xaverian Brothers, didn't know he was in the field until Monday. Scollins, who plays out of both Bald Peak Country Club (NH) and Franklin Country Club (MA), didn't get a practice round, and with an opening 41 on the front nine Tuesday it showed. However, the Holy Cross commit shot 32 in his final nine and shot under-par rounds of 70 and 71 on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, to finish T3.
“I was striking it great. Down the stretch, I was just trying to hang in there,” Scollins said. “These are all the best college players from New England. To be able to compete against them, to be hanging with them, is massive.”
Connor Goode (Glastonbury Hills CC-CT), who played in the final group, started with a bogey after sailing his approach over the green, but he responded well, finishing with a 1-under 71 on Thursday to match Scollins at T3. 
Ricky Stimets (Worcester Country Club) finished inside the top 10 for the second straight year thanks in part to the tournament's lone ace. Playing the 190-yard downhill 17th, which was also playing down wind, Stimets had the perfect strike as it trickled into the cup for what he said is the "lucky 13th" hole-in-one of his life.
The low 20 and ties from this year's championship are exempt into the 2024 New England Amateur Championship which will take place at Laconia Country Club in the Lake Winnipesaukee region of New Hampshire.
​Leaderboard
1 - Joey Lenane; George Wright GC (MA); 70-67-72--209 (-7)
2 - John Broderick; Dedham C&PC (MA); 72-72-67--211 (-5)
T3 - Ryan Scollins; (Bald Peak CC-NH); 73-70-71--214 (-2)
T3 - Connor Goode; Glastonbury Hills CC (CT); 72-71-71--214 (-2)
5 - Caleb Manuel; Brunswick GC (ME); 70-71-74--215 (-1)
T6 - Mac Bredahl; Sandy Burr CC (MA); 75-73-68--216 (E)
T6 - Ricky Stimets Worcester CC (MA); 75-71-70--216 (E)
T6 - Ethan Whitney; Oak Hill CC (MA); 72-73-71--216 (E)
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Top Scores From Each State
Connecticut – T3 (-2) Connor Goode; Glastonbury Hills CC
New Hampshire – T3 (-2) Ryan Scollins; Bald Peak CC
Maine – 5 (-1) Caleb Manuel; Brunswick GC
Massachusetts – 1 (-7) Joey Lenane; George Wright GC
Rhode Island – T19 (+5) Bobby Leopold; Wannamoisett CC (RI)
Vermont –  T6 (E) Garren Poirier; Rutland CC

FALMOUTH, Maine – The last time the New England Amateur Championship was held in Maine, one the state's own Reese McFarlane took home the title. 
Five years later, Mike Arsenault Jr. is hoping he can follow suit. Arsenault (Val Halla GC), of Scarborough, shot a 4-under 68 on Tuesday at The Woodlands Club, giving him a one-stroke lead over tightly-contested leaderboard. 
Thomas Harrison (Old Sandwich GC-MA) is the closest at the moment after shooting a 3-under 68, while Maine Amateur champion Caleb Manuel (Brunswick GC) and Joey Lenane (George Wright Golf Course-MA) finished 2-under in the opening round. 
Round 2 will begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday. At the conclusion of the second round, the field of 144 will be reduced to the 60 low players and ties for the final round Thursday.
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Arsenault made birdie on five of his first seven-holes on the tree-lined course to settle into the rhythm Tuesday. After finishing in the top 10 in the past two Maine Amateurs, he is hoping that this is finally the week for a breakthrough. Despite finishing his opening nine with a pair of bogeys, Arsenault shot 1-under on the front nine to keep the lead for the day. 
"I putted really well, and that’s how golf goes. You putt well, you play well," said Arsenault, who knocked down seven birdies total. 
Lenane, playing on softened greens from rains from the previous days, made birdie on four of his first 11 holes. He got up-and-down for birdie early in the round (par-5 11th), but his best came on the sixth (his 15th of the day) when he made a 30-footer.
On the tree-lined course, Lenane was focused on being in the fairway, and his putter got going at the right time.
"There are not many holes I hit driver, it’s pretty tight,” Lenane said. “I took the aggressive route and hit driver, which is one of the rare times to get aggressive on this course. It paid off.”
Thomas Harrison (Old Sandwich GC-MA) got himself in the conversation again with a 3-under 69, featuring a bogey-free start on the back nine to start the day and finishing even-par on the front.
Manuel managed three birdies and one bogey, but he had the chance to be even higher, as many of his 15 to 20 footers burned the edge. Still, the University of Georgia standout who won the Maine title with a dominating 11-stroke victory, should be a factor over the next couple days.
Woodlands member Michael Madden, 15, is among a large pack of eight golfers who finished even-par and are well within contention through the first third of the competition. With five birdies and five bogeys Tuesday, Madden is hoping for more of the former going forward
“I aimed for the big part of the fairway," Madden said. "You just have to avoid those really big numbers that ruin your entire round.”
​Leaderboard
1 - Mike Arsenault, Jr, Val Halla GC (ME); -4; 68
2 - Thomas Harrison; Old Sandwich GC (MA); -3; 69
T3 - Joey Lenane; George Wright GC (MA); -2; 70
T3 - Caleb Manuel; Brunswick GC (ME); -2; 70
5 - Nick McLaughlin; Far Corner GC (MA); -1; 71
T6 - Matt Williams; Boston GC (MA); E; 72
T6 - Michael Madden, Woodlands Club (ME); E; 72
T6 - Michael Walsh, Burlington CC (VT); E; 72
T6 - John Broderick; Dedham C&P Club (MA); E; 72
T6 - Connor Goode,; Glastonbury Hills CC (CT); E; 72
T6 - Garren Poirier; Rutland CC (VT); E; 72
T6 - Taylor Bellemare; Ekwanok CC (VT); E; 72
T6 - Mathew Smith; Manchester CC (VT); E; 72
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Top Scores From Each State
Connecticut – T6 (E) Connor Goode; Glastonbury Hills CC
New Hampshire – T14 (+1) Ryan Scollins; Bald Peak CC & Jack Pepin (Atkinson Resort & CC
Maine – 1 (-4) Michael Arsenault; Val Halla GC
Massachusetts – 2 (-2) Thomas Harrison; Old Sandwich GC
Rhode Island – T26 (+2) Kevin Silva; Montaup CC
Vermont –  T6 (E) Michael Walsh; Burlington CC; Garren Poirier; Rutland CC; Taylor Bellemare; Ekwanok CC; Mathew Smith, Manchester CC
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About The Woodlands Club
Located just minutes outside of Portland, The Woodlands features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Jim and George Fazio that has hosted everything from state amateur events to Korn Ferry Tour events (formerly the Hogan Tour & Nike Tour).
The course debuted in 1988, with the project involving breaking and moving more than 35,000 cubic yards of rock.
This is the second time the New England Amateur is being held at Woodlands, the first being 2006 when Rhode Island's Brad Valois won by two strokes, shooting 1-under 287 over the 72-hole tournament. The championship is now contested over 54 holes.
Stay Informed
The New England Golf Association will continue to provide content and updates from the New England Amateur Championship on Instagram and Twitter.

MANCHESTER, Connecticut – The game of competitive golf is an amazing sport. On the course, competition fuels players and pushes them to win, regardless of who’s in their way. Off the course these same players can be seen having a post round meal with chatter and laughter filling the table. This paradigm could not be more present than at Manchester Country Club for the 2023 New England Women’s Amateur Championship.

Online: Results | New England Women’s Amateur Homepage | Photos

Friends, family members, and staff huddled around the 18th green as dark clouds began to roll in. They weren’t going anywhere, not if the Smith sisters were still on the golf course battling each other for the title. The two stood on the tee tied for the lead at 3-under par. Morgan Smith (Vesper CC), with the honor, confidently hit her approach on the green while sister Molly Smith (Mount Pleasant) missed long and left.
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After Molly sank a must-needed eight foot bogey putt, Morgan stood over her three foot par with a chance to become a two time New England Women’s Amateur Champion. This scenario seemed unlikely earlier in the day as Morgan saw herself five shots back after the sixth hole. But she was determined and continued to hang in and play steady golf.
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A pivotal point in the round occurred on the challenging uphill par-4 13th. Down by three on the tee, Morgan birdied while Molly bogeyed and walked off the green just one shot back with five holes remaining. The two matched pars on the next three holes as Morgan started to run out of holes to make a charge.

On the par-4 17th both players bombed their drives to within wedge range. Molly hit an incredible shot that bounced off the pin and rolled eight feet away. Following an improbable shot by her sister, Morgan proceeded to respond by throwing her wedge to 10 feet and converted the birdie putt to tie as they approached the last hole.
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After stalking her putt from every angle, Morgan continued to go through her routine as she lined up the putt to win. She stood over the ball, glanced at the hole, took her long putter back, and stroked the ball into the center of the cup to successfully defend her title.

The crowd applauded and cheered as Morgan took a step back to take in what she accomplished. The two sisters shook hands with playing partner Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill CC), who finished solo third in the championship with a three day total of 218, and walked off the green towards the scoring tent.

Molly had a great week of her own as she captured the Junior Championship by a comfortable four shot margin over Guleserian. She’ll look to continue her good play this summer as she’ll break history by becoming the first female golfer to tee it up with the men at the 115th Mass Am at Essex Country Club on July 11.
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SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Tara Joy-Connelly (Bay Club at Mattapoisett) began the day with a two shot lead over playing partner and friend Susan Curtin (Boston GC). Joy-Connelly made the turn with a four shot lead, but that got cut in half as she made consecutive bogeys on holes 10 and 11 while Curtin played steady and made pars. The two battled it out coming down the stretch and Joy-Connelly stood on the 16th tee with a three shot lead with three holes remaining.

After crushing her drive down the fairway, she knocked her approach shot underneath the hole 30 ft away. With the flagstick in, Joy-Connelly gripped her putter and rolled her putt up the hill. The ball began curving to the left as it reached it’s apex and gently kissed the flagstick as it dropped into the hole for a birdie.

Curtin was the first person to acknowledge the fantastic shot.

Joy-Connelly proceeded to knock in another mid-range putt on the 17th hole for back-to-back birdies which put her up comfortably with one hole remaining. Joy-Connelly, Curtin, and fellow playing partner Tracy Welch (Winchester CC), who finished solo fourth with a three day total of 232, all hit their tee shots on the dance floor at the par-3 18th. As she lined up her putt, fellow competitors and friends also lined up adjacent to the 18th green to watch. Eyeing a birdie-birdie-birdie finish, she left her birdie putt just short, and walked up to tap in for par and a seven shot victory.
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LEGEND CHAMPIONSHIP
Mary Gale (Bedrock GC) took a six shot lead after the first day and never looked back. She opened with a 79, the only sub 80 round recorded in the Legend Championship, and proceeded to go wire-to-wire to claim the 2023 New England Women’s Amateur Legend Championship. Gale finished the tournament with a three day total of 246 and an eight shot victory over Nancy Walker (Connecticut).
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A WEEK TO REMEMBER
Great golf was played this week at Manchester but it was overshadowed by the friendship and support demonstrated by the competitors, volunteers and staff. After each day, players were seen eating together and laughing as they caught up and enjoyed each other’s company. This week served a friendly reminder that although winning tournaments is fun and exciting, so is getting to compete and forming lifelong memories with lifelong friends.

MANCHESTER, Connecticut – Smiles, laugher and high fives were present throughout the day at Manchester Country Club during round two of the New England Women’s Amateur Championship. Overnight rain bled into the early hours of Tuesday, making the course longer and more challenging. But that didn’t damper the mood for players, especially those paired with close friends and old rivals.

Online: Starting Times & Scores | New England Women’s Amateur Homepage

The star studded Senior Championship field did not disappoint on Tuesday as only two shots separate leader Tara Joy-Connelly (Bay Club at Mattapoisett), and defending champion Susan Curtin (Boston GC) with one round to go. Joy-Connelly, who held the overnight lead, shot a 3-over round of 75 while Curtin fired 17 pars against one bogey to post 1-over 73.

“Had an awesome pairing today, an awesome day and we’re looking forward to tomorrow,” said Curtin. “The New England Senior Women’s Championship is our biggest regional event that we can play in locally so it’s a really important event for us to compete against each other.” she added.   

Rounding out the group was Tracy Welch (Winchester CC) who has significant game of her own as she’s competed in numerous USGA Championships, including making it to the round of 16 in the 2007 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. Welch backed up her 76 yesterday with another 76 today. She sits five shots back but is well aquatinted to the fierce competition. “We competed as juniors so we’ve been doing this for like 40 years,” Welch noted as she laughed with Joy-Connelly.

Friendship and camaraderie were on full display on Tuesday.

“That’s always the thing I love. Seeing my friends and competing against each other,” Curtin commented. “And I think there’s something really special about the senior division, (in) this stage in life we’re doing this for fun. There’s a lot more friendship and camaraderie that comes along with it, which I always enjoy,” the defending champion summarized.

The three friends will battle it out again tomorrow as the they sit atop of the Senior Championship leaderboard. But right on their heels is Mass Golf’s defending Senior Amateur Champion Pamela Kuong (Charles River CC). Kuong’s group consisted of fellow Massachusetts natives Christine Gagner (The Tour), and current Legends Championship leader Mary Gale (Bedrock GC). Their group was full of cheering and laughter as the three friends enjoyed their Tuesday morning playing together.

“We’ve been playing this for as long as I can remember and it’s something we look forward to every year. It’s nice to see the other state people as well. It’s great event,” Gale commented.

Gale played solid yesterday and she was thrilled to post 79, where she feels like her game is at. “Today ball striking was really good, my putting, I don’t know what happened,” she mentioned. “I had a lot of 30 and 40 footers and started three-putting…once you start doing that you start getting tentative out there.”

After her round Gale was back on the practice green putting in work. She plopped a couple of balls and began hitting a few eight footers with her good friend Gagner watching. Although they compete on the course, their camaraderie was exhibited as Gagner gave some pointers and cheered her friend on as she honed in her stroke. Gale will look to use these pointers as she tries to go a wire-to-wire for the Legends Championship tomorrow.

This small act of companionship best summarizes the feelings of the New England Women’s Amateur Championship.

“Since we’ve played with lot of the same people from different states we’ve become friends with a lot of the players. When we go to national tournaments it’s a little collective group of people cheering for each other from New England,” Kuong commented.
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In the Women’s Championship, the Smith sisters continued to do their thing as the pair fired matching 2-under 70s. Molly Smith (Mount Pleasant) carded a bogey free round en route to her 70, while sister Morgan Smith (Vesper CC) notched four birdies in her last 11 holes, including a bogey free 3-under 33 to close her round strong. Molly sits atop the leaderboard with a two shot lead over Morgan, and a five shot lead over Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill CC) who posted a 1-under 71 in the second round. Shannon Johnson (Thorny Lea GC) also posted a 1-under 71 to climb up the leaderboard into solo fourth with a two day total of 146. Rounding out the top five is New Hampshire native Carys Fennessy (Cochecho CC) with a two day total 148.

DEFENDING CHAMPS ON THE PROWL
Last years defending champions Susan Curtin and Morgan Smith are vying for a repeat performance. Both players sit two back of the leaders in their respective championships. Curtin, the 2022 Senior Champion, looks to continue her momentum from today and challenge good friend Joy-Connelly tomorrow to reclaim her title. Morgan looks to become a two time New England Women’s Amateur champion but will have to go through her sister and best friend Molly in order to do so. With back to back par-5s on holes 14 and 15, and a tough closing par-3 18th, the finish at Manchester Country Club should provide an exciting finish.
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MANCHESTER, Connecticut – It was a beautiful day in central Connecticut as Manchester Country Club (par 72, 6,130 yards) hosted the first round of the New England’s Women’s Amateur Championship. First played in 1957, the New England Women’s Amateur Championship is a 54-hole stroke play competition that is contested annually in one of the six New England states, with hosting duties rotating among the states every six years.

Online: Starting Times & Scores | New England Women’s Amateur Homepage

Last year’s championship winner, Morgan Smith (Vesper CC), opened her title defense with a strong 1-under 71.
“(I was) pretty steady today. Ball striking was good, putter wasn’t as good but I’ll work on it,” Smith said. After making a three-putt bogey on the par-5 fourth, Smith closed her round with two birdies on the back nine en route to a bogey free 34. She sits in second place behind her best friend and sister Molly Smith (Mount Pleasant GC).

Molly, who recently qualified for the 2023 Mass Am, opened the championship with an impressive 3-under 69, with three of her five birdies coming in the final five holes. “If you asked me who my biggest competition is, I’d definitely say Molly, ” Morgan commented. “Her game is really solid and she’s playing some really good golf right now.”

2022 Anne Marie Tobin Women’s Player and the 2020 New England Women’s Amateur Champion Megan Buck (Thorny Lea GC) had a solid round of 1-over 73 to put herself in contention headed into the final two rounds. She sits at T3 with Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill GC), who also posted 1-over 73 thanks to an eagle on the par-5 14th. Rounding out the top five was Grace Farland (Malbourough CC) who had five birdies on the day. After the first round she sits at 2-over, five shots back of leader Molly Smith.

In the Senior Championship, Massachusetts golfers took the leaderboard by storm. Tara Connelly (Bay Club at Mattapoisett), a Mass Golf Hall of Famer, fired a round of even-par 72, highlighted by a bogey free 1-under front nine 35. Connelly holds a four shot lead over fellow Bay State natives Tracy Welch (Winchester CC) and Susan Curtin (Boston Golf Club), who both shot 4-over 76s. 2023 Mixed Four-Ball Winner Pamela Kuong (Charles River CC) sits five back at 5-over 77.

Mary Gale (Bedrock GC) holds a six shot lead in the Legends Championship as she was the lone player to post a sub 80 score. Nancy Walker (Ellington Ridge CC) closed her round out strong with a rare birdie at the par-3 18th to post a score of +13 (85). Hollis Barry (Fox Hopyard GC) and Doreen DiPilato (Green Hill Muni GC) sit in third and fourth respectively, with scores of 105 and 108. 
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A DEMANDING FINISH
Manchester Country Club proved to be a challenging test as the Smith sisters were the lone two players in the field to post under-par rounds. As winds gusted in the afternoon, scoring became difficult coming down the stretch. The daunting par-3 18th, which hugs the Glob Hollow Reservoir only yielded two birdies the entire day and should provide some excitement on Wednesday afternoon.
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Round 1 Leaderboard (By State):
Connecticut 
T9. Kenna Roman, (Shuttle Meadow CC);  77 (+5)
T9. Zorah Williams, (Stonington CC); 77 (+5)
T12. Yvette O'Brien, (Greenwich CC); 78 (+6)
T15. Cindy Cao, (USGA/CSGA GC); 79 (+7)
T20. Kate Hong, (Greenwich CC); 80 (+8)
Massachusetts 
1. Molly Smith (Mount Pleasant GC); 69 (-3 )
2. Morgan Smith (Vesper CC); 71 (-1)
T3.  Megan Buck (Thorny Lea GC); 73 (+1)
T3. Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill CC); 73 (+1)
5. Grace Farland (Marlborough CC); 74 (+2)
New Hampshire
T6. Carys Fennessy, (Cochecho CC); 75 (+3)
T15. Delaney Nadeau, (Cochecho CC); 79 )+7)
T44. Alexis St Laurent, (Ridgewood CC); 90 (+18)
T48. Nicole Butkus, (Abenaqui CC); 91 (+19)
Rhode Island
T21. ​Morgan Macleod, (Wannamoisett CC); 81 (+9)
T39. Anna Gardner, (Sakonnet GC); 88 (+16)
Vermont
T39. Jazz Bruce, (Links at Lang Farm); 88 (+16)