Classic is Mayne’s event
Western Turnpike member runs away with title after second straight round of 74
Given the disruption of golf tournament schedules caused by COVID-19, playing in the Schenectady Classic was an obvious choice for Pat Mayne, one of the area’s top women amateurs.
“So many things have been canceled,” she said, “I’m trying to find more things to play in.”
Mayne made her two days at Schenectady Municipal worthwhile, posting back-to-back 74s and winning the women’s division of the Classic by an impressive 18 strokes Saturday.
“I liked both rounds, but I was upset that I missed a couple putts,” said Mayne, a member at Western Turnpike. “I four
putted on 12 (for double bogey), but I’ve been putting pretty well lately. I hate missing putts more than anything.”
The putting woes were quickly erased when Mayne drained 30and 10-footers for birdies on 15 and 16. She had four birdies on the day.
Fellow Western Turnpike member Kelly Mckenna was second. She followed her careerbest round of 81 Friday with 85.
“She’s amazing,” Mckenna said of Mayne. “It’s inspirational. It’s so nice to see that and appreciate it if you’re a golfer and appreciate that kind of golf.”
A left-hander in her third year of playing, Mckenna has caught the golf bug. She confessed that this was her first tournament outside of her home course.
“I was a little nervous,” said Mckenna, a Chatham native who lives in Ravena. “I probably was more nervous driving here to Schenectady. I’m not a city driver. Once I got here, it was fine. Everybody’s so nice. That makes it easy. You just come in and play your game and everybody’s nice.
“I love golf. I watch golf, I could work in golf. I can’t get enough of it. I’ll tell you, I’m hooked.”
Mayne, a three-time Northeastern Women’s Golf Association champion, will be taking her skills south next month.
“I’m going to Florida in October to play in the Florida Senior,” she said. “That’s at Orange Tree just outside of Orlando. Last winter was the first time I stayed from November to April, and it makes a difference playing yearround. It’s competitive down in Florida, and I get to play a bunch of different courses down there.”
In the men’s division, Joe Fitzsimmons of Town of Colonie shot a 2-under 70 to pass secondround leader Dan Russo of Schuyler Meadows and has a one-stroke lead heading into the final round Sunday of the 72-hole event.