Shannon Rouillard (New Jersey State Golf Association Photo)
Shannon Rouillard won the 54th New Jersey Women’s Senior Amateur Championship on Thursday afternoon, manufacturing an even par 73 at Forest Hill Field Club en route to her first NJSGA victory.
“I am a bit surprised,” Rouillard said immediately following her victory. “I came into this event not really knowing what to expect. My whole goal was just to start playing golf again competitively, so to be honest, it’s still sinking in.”
Her steady play from Wednesday repeated on Thursday as she carded 10 pars and an impressive four birdies. All four of her birdies came on the back nine.
“I was able to just relax a little bit more knowing that I played well on the back nine yesterday,” Rouillard explained. “It kind of put me at ease a little bit and helped me stick to my game plan.”
After taking a lengthy pause from competitive golf, Rouillard of Watchung Valley Golf Club revisited the competitive game recently.
"It feels great," Rouillard expressed. "I'm a competitive person by nature. I've been competing my whole life. I was really excited to get back into golf and the competitive scene and have that opportunity to do so now as as a senior player. I look forward to the future to see what that may hold for me. I just have to keep playing and competing. I'm taking it all in and really enjoying it at a different level than I did previously."
In the Super-Senior Championship, Colleen Rafter took home the title after carding an impressive 1-over par 74 on Thursday after an up-and-down 84 in the first round. Rafter used extra motivation after a close friend, Joanne, recently passed away. Rafter spoke to Joanne’s husband following her opening round.
"He said you have to go out and play your heart out for Joanne. So that’s what I did,” recalled Rafter. “Sinking those five and six-footers, that's what makes you score. If you can just get it in that area and then pluck them in. I have to credit it to him.”
JJ Om of Galloping Hill Golf Course carded a 3-under par 70 and an even par 73 en route to the Net title.
View results for New Jersey Women's Senior
ABOUT THE New Jersey Women's Senior
Open to senior female amateurs aged 50 and over
who
are members
with a NJSGA club. Format is 36 holes of stroke
play.
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