Five Advance to 35th U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship
Pictured: Chaithra Katamneni of Denton, Texas
BLOOMFIELD, N.J. – Qualifying for the 35th Women’s Mid-Amateur Championed concluded on Thursday at Forest Hill Field Club. Chaithra Katamneni carded a solid 2-over par 73 to not only move on, but medal along the way. Four other competitors in Samantha Perrotta (Bordentown, N.J.), Noelle Maertz (Clark, N.J.), Daria Delfino (Jersey City, N.J.) and Pendleton Bogache (New York, N.Y.) advanced to the championship, which will take place from September 17-22 at Fiddlesticks Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla.
This is Katamneni’s first time ever qualifying for a USGA event, let alone medaling.
“I was super anxious before the round, so this is very nice going into the actual event,” Katamneni said. “I started off with four birdies and then I just missed a couple short putts, but scrambling kind of saved me throughout the day.”
After starting 4-under par through the first five holes, Katamneni was able to hold onto the lead even after multiple bogeys, finishing with back to back bogeys on 17 and 18 to card the 2-over par 73.
2022 New Jersey Women's Mid-Amateur Champion Perrotta finished behind Katamneni with a 3-over par 72. Her round was highlighed by a birdie on No. 12.
Maertz will be returning to the event for her third time, but will be playing an unfamiliar course in Fiddlesticks.
“I haven't been on the west coast of Florida, so I'm excited,” Maertz explained.
These 5⃣ ladies just earned their spots in the #USWomensMidAm!
— NJSGA (@NJSGA1900) August 25, 2022
Congratulations to Chaithra Katamneni, Noelle Maertz, Pendleton Bogache, Samantha Perrotta, and Daria Delfino. Next stop: Fiddlesticks CC! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/tXRu7trBCM
But even in an unfamiliar course, her past experience adds some confidence to the round.
“I know what to kind of expect and I'm excited,” Maertz exclaimed.
Delfino, 25, notched a 7-over par 78 on Thursday. She opened her round with a birdie as well as birdies on 14 and 16.
Former Georgetown Hoya Bogache grabbed the last qualifying spot with an 8-over par 79.
“I'm just really excited because quite frankly, I thought my competitive golf career was behind me. I am going to enjoy the entire tournament and enjoy being there and meeting people and getting a taste of the competitive life again,” Bogache explained.
Adding some extra excitement to the mix, Kate Granahan and Natalie Grainger were able to outlast Mimi Mcandrew in a three-person playoff hole in order to secure spots as first and second alternate.
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