Meghan Stasi Wins AGA Women’s Amateur Championship

Meghan Stasi is no stranger to the winner’s circle. The esteemed mid-amateur from Overland Park, Fla. claimed another title at the AGA Women’s Amateur Championship presented by Gana Dunlop & Roberts Oxygen. Stasi carded a final round 4-over-par 76 at Forest Creek Golf Club’s South Course to clinch the victory by one stroke. Therese Quinn of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. carded rounds of 76-74-72 to win the Senior Division by five strokes.

Stasi, who recently won the Ladies National Golf Association Mid-Amateur in April, began her final round tied with defending champion Lauren Greenlief of Ashburn, Va. and Megan Buck of North Easton, Mass. Despite a slow start from the entire group, Stasi shared the lead with Greenlief and Mariah Hopkins of Danville, Va. with nine holes to play.

Halfway through their closing loop, it was battle. The winds started to pick up and the Tom Fazio design began to show its teeth. Greenlief bogeyed the par-5 12th. Stasi birded, and the margin was two strokes with six holes to play. However, after Stasi’s bogey on the par-5 14th the lead was back to just one.

On the par-3 17th, Greenlief made a costly double bogey. Stasi made her way to the par-4 18th with a comfortable three-shot lead. However, the 8-time Florida State Golf Association Player of the Year struggled coming home. She carded a closing triple-bogey (her only score worse than a bogey all week). Greenlief eyed a 20-foot bogey putt to send the championship into a sudden-death playoff. It burnt the edge, and Stasi’s 6-over-par 222 overall was enough to claim the title.

“I knew it was close,” Stasi siad. “I kind of snuck in a few today. I wasn’t able to play last year, so I’m just really fortunate to be here. This is a huge win!”

Stasi adds this victory to four U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur titles (2006, 2007, 2010 and 2012) and 17 state championships. She has won countless other amateur and mid-amateur events and will be inducted into the Florida State Golf Association Hall of Fame this November.

“It’s nice to be wanted at the golf course you compete at,” Stasi said. “The Forest Creek Golf Club staff has been unbelievable, and that’s really important for us. I know the players really appreciated it, and I’m looking forward to this championship next year.”

Greenlief shared runner-up honors with Hopkins, who carded a final round 4-over-par 76 to post 7-over 223 for the championship. Shannon Johnson of North Easton, Mass. fired the round of the day with a 2-under-par 70. The 2018 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion tied for fourth with Amanda Jacobs of Portland, Ore., the 2019 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion Ina Kim-Schaad of Rhinebeck, N.Y. and Megan Buck of North Easton, Mass.

In the Senior Division, Quinn carded the lowest final round in the division by two strokes. Her even-par 72 was highlighted by birdies on the par-5 seventh, par-5 12th, par-4 13th and par-4 18th. Quinn’s impressive play on Friday lead to a five-stroke victory at 6-over-par 222 for the championship. She adds her win to a stellar amateur career, including a victory at the 2019 Women’s Southern Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship.

Amy Ellertson of Free Union, Va., who won the inaugural championship last October, carded a final round 5-over-par 77. She posted 11-over par and finished solo second. Kim Keyer-Scott of Estero, Fla. finished third at 12-over-par 228. Corey Weworski of Carlsbad, Calif. finished fourth at 15-over-par 231, while Pamela Kuong rounded out the top-5 at 16-over-par 234.

Founded in 1996, Forest Creek Golf Club features two state-of-the-art championship courses nestled within the North Carolina Sandhills. The North and South Course were both designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio. This year’s championship took place on the beautiful South Course, which weaves through rolling terrain and features an unforced, natural appearance. To this day, Fazio calls it one of his greatest accomplishments as a golf course architect and is a great test for players of all levels.

The AGA extends its sincere appreciation to AGA Board Member and Tournament Chairperson Tara Joy-Connelly, Forest Creek Golf Club, its attentive staff and supportive membership for all their help and support ahead of and during the 2021 AGA Women’s Amateur Championship.

Extra special thanks to General Manager David Dew, Director of Golf Hugh Matthis, Director of Golf Course Maintenance David Lee, Golf Course Superintendent Hampton Haney and his amazing grounds crew, as well as Clubhouse Manager Mary Dutton. This year’s championship would not have been possible without their efforts.

The AGA would also like to thank Gana Dunlop & Roberts Oxygen as well as The Kenrose Kitchen Table Foundation for their support of this championship and women’s amateur golf. It would not be a success without their generous dedication to the game.

For more information on the 2021 AGA Women’s Amateur Championship, including complete scoring, click here.

Amateur Golf Alliance:  The “AGA” was established to support and promote the amateur game via competitions providing amateur golfers throughout the globe more opportunities to compete at national and international events, and fund research and initiatives that will enhance the landscape of competitive amateur golf.  The AGA has provided financial support for members of the United States practice squads for both the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup teams.

ANERA SPORTS, LLC:  Founded in 2018, Anera Sports has quickly established a presence in the golf community. Anera partnered with Veritex Community Bank to host the Korn Ferry Tour’s Veritex Bank Championship at the Texas Rangers Golf Club. Anera provides event management services to some of the top amateur championships in the country and operates the business of several amateur golf associations including the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association and the Amateur Golf Alliance. Anera also provides consulting services to corporations, clubs and tournaments in the strategic planning, management and implementation of sports related initiatives. Anera has created and managed championships at some of the top-ranked clubs in the country and provides a first-class experience for all parties. Anera Sports is headquartered in Dallas.