Semifinals Set for 99th Women’s Amateur Championship
WATCHUNG, N.J. - The semifinal matches of the 99th New Jersey Women’s Amateur Championship are set. Ami Gianchandani, Claire Lu, Katie Li and Alyssa Roland will play on Thursday in the semifinals at Watchung Valley Golf Club.
Serving as an official USGA Exemption Event, the champion of the 99th New Jersey Women's Amateur will receive an exemption into the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Southern Hills Country Club.
Alyssa Roland, who is the only Mid-Amateur left in the field defeated Grace Smith in the Round of 16 and Angelina Tolentino in her afternoon quarterfinal match. The Watchung Valley Golf Club member made a run at the 37th U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, advancing to the Round of 16. Roland, 35, will face Katie Li in the semifinals.
“I don't play a lot of golf,” Roland mentioned. “I have a one-year-old at home and a full-time job, so this is the most consecutive golf I've played since the Mid-Am. I'm finally starting to get into a groove and figure out my swing and figure out my short game, so I think some more practice made me play a little better.”
Li, 19, won her matches over Lily Patel 2 and 1 in the round of 16 and Samantha Perrotta 4 and 2 in the quarterfinals to earn her spot in the semifinals.
“I took every single hole as it was - I wasn’t really focusing on what was ahead of me,” recalled Li. That really helped me stay patient when I didn't have a great shot or if the other girl had an amazing shot, I'd be like, where am I? I was staying super present, which helped me forget about the heat until the very end.”
Li is coming off a trip to the U.S. Women’s Open Championship at Lancaster Country Club where she missed the cut by just two strokes.
“That gave me a new sense of motivation to practice - Not that it didn't already have one, but it gave me greater purpose,” Li reflected. “Taking everything that I've done, the processes that I've gone through and applying them tomorrow.”
Defending champion Ami Gianchandani went extra holes in both of her matches on Wednesday. Coming out on top in both, Gianchandani is seeking her third title in four years – this time at her home course. Gianchandani will take on Claire Lu on Thursday morning.
After falling behind by three in her quarterfinal match, Lu got one back on No. 9, a 178-yard par 3. That triggered a hot streak, highlighted by an eagle on No. 15. Lu went on to seal her victory over Sammie Dolce on 17 with a par to win 3 and 1.
The first semifinal match will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Round of 16 Results
Ami Gianchandani def. Vaidehi Shah, 20 holes
Grace Lu def. Ava Lozito, 4 and 2
Sammie Dolce def. Jessica Danckwerth, 8 and 7
Claire Lu def. Tiya Chowdary 2 and 1
Katie Li def. Lily Patel, 2 and 1
Samantha Perrotta def. Christina Parsells, 3 and 1
Alyssa Roland def. Grace Smith, 2 and 1
Angelina Tolentino def. Natalie Spiska, 6 and 4
Quarterfinal Results
Ami Gianchandani def. Grace Lu, 21 holes
Claire Lu def. Sammie Dolce, 3 and 1
Katie Li def. Samantha Perrotta, 4 and 2
Alyssa Roland def. Angelina Tolentino, 4 and 3
Semifinal Matchups
Claire Lu versus Ami Gianchandani – 7:30 a.m.
Katie Li versus Alyssa Roland - 7:42 a.m.
NJSGA Social Media
For the latest updates and news, visit njsga.org or follow New Jersey State Golf Association on Facebook, X and Instagram at @NJSGA1900.
