Tuscaloosa, AL – The fourth playing of the AGA Women’s Amateur Championship brought together a stellar field of national champions that includes three Curtis Cup Captains and 17 combined USGA Champions from across the country to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. What awaited them was the Northriver Yacht Club course that gave the players a true test. The topography provided several uphill approaches that made scoring a challenge for both the Championship and Senior divisions.
For the Champions division, which includes players that no longer have college eligibility through the Mid-Am ranks, Kelli Pry’s two-over-par 73 sits atop the leaderboard with a two-stroke lead over two-time AGA Women’s Champion Lauren Greenlief’s four-over-par 75. Four other players sit three back at five-over-par 76. Greenlief, a decorated U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion didn’t get the benefit of a practice round opting to play in a four-ball tournament that prevented her from getting to Alabama in time. Pry has been in this position before leading after round one in 2021. Pry played college golf for the University of South Florida and hopes the experience of previous years near the top of the leaderboard will help her clinch her first AGA Championship.
On the Senior side, we saw the only under-par rounds of the day from Kathy Glennon at two-under-par 69 and Patty Ehrhart at minus-one 70. Glennon’s card had four birdies and two bogies for the Naples, FL resident. Ehrhart’s front nine, the courses back nine included four birdies and two bogies to turn at two-under-par. The one over final nine had one bogey and eight pars to total minus 70.
Close behind the leaders is Sarah Ingram at plus two 73 alone in third. NorthRiver member Susan West, Tara Joy-Connelly, Martha Leach and Kathy Hartwiger are all tied for fourth and sit at three-over-par. Four players stand at plus four after round one and remain within striking distance.
Play was stopped due to lightning for just over 30 minutes with just a few groups yet to finish. Those groups got back on the final hole or two to finish play for the day.
The AGA Women’s Amateur Championship is a fifty-four hole tournament. In its fourth year the AGA Women’s Amateur has created a top ranked field in the tournament’s short history. Supported by Presenting Sponsor Gana Dunlap and Roberts Oxygen, along with AGA Global Partner Golf Genius the Championship has become a must on the circuit and starts the season for many players.
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 Concession Cup is part of the AGA supported events and will bring a women’s portion to the competition in 2024. To donate to the Amateur Golf Alliance to support amateur golf and our initiatives click here.
For more information on the 2023 Amateur Golf Alliance and the NorthRiver Yacht Club, including complete scoring, click here.