Allison Paik wins Massachusetts Women’s Am over new teammate

Incoming Columbia freshman Allison Paik defeated her soon to be teammate Anne Walsh for the 117th Massachusetts Amateur Championship at The Country Club. “Going into today we were hoping for an all-Columbia final and we got it,” Paik told Mass Golf. “I've grown up playing with Anne, starting with U.S. Kids. We were so little growing up playing so many tournaments with her, playing against her. But we're really good friends, and I'm really happy to be going to Columbia with her.” Paik made quick work of all of her opponents, never having to use Nos. 16, 17, or 18 to secure her wins. Playing four matches, Paik only needed 56 holes, winning 25 of them outright. “I think the first four holes on this course really fit my eye,” said Paik. “There are two really gettable par fives that I can make birdie. And then the second hole, I actually eagled it in one of my matches. I think getting off to a fast start is really important.” For Walsh, she was again the bridesmaid, making it to the championship match last year but, just like this year, was unable to come through for the win. As a consolation, Walsh was able to come through at the Ouimet Memorial and was runner-up at the Massachusetts Girls’ Junior Amateur. Friday morning saw the future teammates win their semifinal matches to set up the all-Columbia final. Walsh needed 21 holes to defeat Rebecca Skoler while Paik cruised to a 4&3 win over Mary Mulcahy. As the 8-seed, Paik surpassed her semifinal finish in 2016. Hitting eight greens in regulation, and seven of 10 fairways in regulation, the 12 hole match proved to be the biggest margin of victory in the past decade at the Massachusetts Women’s Amateur. Both Paik and Walsh will have to wait to begin their collegiate golf careers as COVID-19 has put a halt on all Ivy League sports through at least the fall.