Dolce Leads 99th Women’s Amateur Championship; Parsells Paces Mid-Amateur
WATCHUNG, N.J. - Sammie Dolce of Basking Ridge Country Club led the field on Monday in the first round of the 99th New Jersey Women’s Amateur Championship, carding a 2-under par 70 at Watchung Valley Golf Club.
Dolce, who just finished her freshman year at Bowling Green State University holed out on the 18th hole from 82 yards to close out her round with a birdie.
"I hit my drive into the bunker,” Dolce recalled. “The lip was too high, so I couldn’t get up to the green. I got out and got it up to about 82 yards.”
Katie Li of Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club finished right behind Dolce, turning in a 1-under par 71.
Li, 19, is coming off an appearance in the U.S. Women’s Open Championship at Lancaster Country Club. Despite a gusty day, Li was able to put together a solid round.
"I think I was just really patient,” said Li. “I focused on the next shot and kept an overall positive and forgiving mindset.”
2023 New Jersey Women’s Amateur Champion Ami Gianchandani finished at 3-over par 75 and shares fourth with Tiya Chowdary and Angelina Tolentino.
Christina Parsells of Somerset Hills Country Club leads the 11th Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, shooting a 5-over par 77. Parsells, 26, finished as runner-up in the Women’s Amateur in 2018 and 2019.
Following the completion of the second round, a cut will be made with the low 16 players advancing to match play.
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