Middle Atlantic (MAGA) Women's Amateur Championship
REHOBETH BEACH, DE (September 7, 2005) -- Janice Calomiris of Congressional Country Club birdied the 17th hole for a one-stroke lead, then held on to win the annual Middle Atlantic Golf Association Women’s Amateur Championship at Kings Creek Country Club in Rehobeth Beach, DE, on September 7th. In winning the event for the second time, Calomiris finished the two-day tournament with 76-81—157, to thwart former champion Shelley Savage of Army Navy Country Club. Savage scored 79-79—158, while Sally Ratcliffe of the Elkridge Club and Pam Brown of Wilmington Country Club shared third at 161. Savage earned the Senior Championship.
At the 450-yard par 5 17th, Calomiris drove into the right rough, advanced the ball on her second stroke, and then knocked her 100-yard blind approach to six feet, holing the putt. A par left Savage with the prospect of having to make a par-4 at the long and treacherous 18th hole – a 398-yard par four with two crossing water hazards. As it developed, both Calomiris and Savage made bogey fives with Calomiris two-putting from 12 feet while Savage slid an eight-footer for par by the hole.
The low second-day score was 78, by both Ratcliffe and Stacey Collins, Chestnut Ridge Country Club. Collins ended with 87-78—165.
The flight winners were as follows: First – Marie Elmendorf, Oakton, VA, 84-82—166; Second – Jane Mason, Prospect Bay, 86-88—174; Third – Carolyn Hudson, Bowie, 90-88—178; and Deborah McClintock, Hedgesville, WV, 91-95—196.
Despite taking its toll on the players, the tight and windy Kings Creek course, which has hosted recent Delaware Men’s Amateur and Open contests, received rave reviews from the players, with Head Professional Ty Mayers and Golf Course Superintendent Jim Prucnal, overseeing the golf professional shop and golf course maintenance responsibilities during the championship.
The 2006 Women’s Amateur will be contested at Chester River Yacht & Country Club in Chestertown, Maryland, on Wednesday and Thursday, September 6 – 7.