Hershberger And Chen In 36-hole Final Of 88th Women's Amateur

A pair of golfers representing Neshanic Valley Golf Course will meet in the 36-hole final of the 88thNJSGA Women’s Amateur Championship to be played Thursday, August 1, at Brooklake Country Club.

Defending champion Alexandra Hershberger and 2013 Junior Girls champion Alice Chen, both representing Neshanic Valley, square off in what promises to be an exciting finals match at Brooklake.

On Wednesday, Hershberger, who has reached the finals for a third straight year, defeated former LPGA player Tara Fleming of New Jersey National, 5 and 4, in the semifinals after beating Cinda Ha of Valley Brook, 2 and 1, in the morning quarterfinal round.

Chen, the medalist in qualifying, ousted Hana Ku of Fiddler’s Elbow, 3 and 2, in the semifinals after edging 2011 champion Scotland Preston of Echo Lake in the quarterfinals, 1 up.

Two years ago, Hershberger defeated Chen in the semifinals before losing to Preston.

PHOTO GALLERY BRACKETS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP, FIRST & SECOND FLIGHTS

“I felt pressure every day I’ve been here. People expect you to be the same or better than you were the year before. This tournament is tough and shows how good the top eight players are,” said Hershberger, who won four of her first five holes against Fleming and cruised the rest of the way.

“When you’re in the final, you have to focus on yourself and be patient. That’s the way I played it last year and the way I will play it this year.”

Hershberger is a sophomore-to-be and plays on the golf team at the University of Virginia. She was one of 12 female junior golfers selected in October, 2011, for Hewlett Packard Scholastic American Junior Golf Association All-American team. She is seeking to be the first repeat champion since Donna Young of Springdale in 2006-07.

“Match play is the best for me,” said Hershberger, who helped Ridge High School to two NJSIAA Tournament of Champions titles. “I like head-to-head play. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I don’t think I was seeded No. 1 last year, either. I just have to get in a groove.”

Fleming, who play on the LPGA Tour from 1991-’93 and again in 1996, defeated 17-year-old Sarah Kokotajlo in the quarterfinals, 3 and 2.

“It was a lot more fun playing with the lead. I was able to get my rhythm,” she said. “I lost to a very talented young lady. I didn’t putt well early. I couldn’t find my touch, and I had been putting well up until that match.”

Chen was also up four holes through five played against Ku, a recent graduate of Ridge High who will play golf at Princeton.

“My goal coming in was to reach the finals. I stayed steady through the first nine holes and was 1 under. That was my best nine holes of the week,” said Chen, who has won the Junior Girls title two straight years and returns for her senior year at Montgomery High School.

“I’m pretty confident in my game right now, but in match play, anything can happen,” Chen said. “You’ve got to stick with your own game plan. This will be kind of a rematch against Alexandra. I’m excited.”

Ku, who bested Isabel Han of Montammy in the quarterfinals, 3 and 2, last week reached the Round of 32 in the USGA Junior Girls in Fort Wayne, Ind.

“I was able to hang in and get the victory in the morning. After my first day, I’m proud to have gotten into match play,” Ku said. “Alice putted great all day as usual.”