Pennington takes big lead at tourney
Teen enters today’s final round with 14-shot lead
After shooting a 1-under-par 69 at Lazy Swan Golf and Country Club on Saturday, teenager Amber Pennington is on the verge of repeating as the Ulster County Women’s Golf Association champion.
Pennington, who turns 15 next month, has a 14-stroke advantage heading into today’s final round of the 54-hole event at Wiltwyck Golf Club.
She shot a personal-best 69 last Sunday at Lazy Swan and was well on her way to improving on that if not for an triple-bogey 8 on the final hole.
“I was playing really well up until the second swing on 18, because I was 4-under before that and I was so set to shoot 66,” Pennington said. “I was thinking, ‘I could do even better than that.’ I’m not sure if I got overconfident but, yeah, I thought I could.” Then she teed off on 18. “I had to hit a straight ball and I snap-hooked it right into the woods with no chance of finding it,” she explained. “Then I took my drop and I thinned it into the pond in front of me. So I was hitting five and I was 290 yards out. I put it on and I almost saved seven, but I missed a (close) putt.”
Pennington, who shot a firstround 78 at Woodstock Golf Club Friday, has a two-day 147 total.
Diane Myers, fourth last year, is in second place with a 161. She started out strong, had a birdie on
the ninth hole, and posted a 36-42—78.
Two-time champion Ellen Densen is third with a 79-83—162. Kim Hines (8283—165) is in fourth place.
Kathy Murphy had a big bounce-back round with a 76 at Lazy Swan that has her tied with Chelsea Lapp for fifth.
Today is the final round of the 36-hole tournaments for the First and Second Flights. Yvonne Merck leads the First Flight with an 84, one shot ahead of Linda DePuy and two up on Cathy Copeland, Linda Hudson and Nancy Gogg.
Sandy Mancuso-Lopez is tied with Jackie Roudis for first place in the Second Flight. Silvana Dudek is one stroke back, and Connie D’Alessandro and Lynne Caputo are three behind.
Pennington broke par at Lazy Swan for the first time last Sunday with her a 69. She had taken notes and followed them to the letter. She had a bogeyfree front nine Saturday
that included birdies on 3, 5 and 8.
“I created a little note sheet for myself. I was kind of going off of that, because on this course I didn’t really have to hit driver too many times because it was not super long,” she said. “If I hit a 7-iron, I could still hit a wedge in. So it was just: What can I do to get a wedge in my hands and put it close? That was my strategy on both days. Apparently, it worked.”
Inconsistent putting hurt her in the 8-over 78 Friday.
“My putting was a lot better. I did work on it for a long time,” said Pennington, who overcame bogeys on 12 and 14 with an eagle-3 on the 15th hole.
She’s not counting out anybody in the Championship Flight, but knows a consistent performance could assure the title.
“As long as I don’t shoot 95 tomorrow,” Pennington said. “If I do what I can do, that should be good enough.” SATURDAY’S ROUND At Lazy Swan Championship Flight Amber Pennington ...................................... 78-69—147
Diane Myers 83-78—161 Ellen Densen ................................................ 79-83—162 Kim Hines ..................................................... 82-83—165 Kathy Murphy .............................................. 99-76—175 Chelsea Lapp ............................................... 89-86—175 Cindy Woebse .............................................. 93-86—179 Lynn Formica ............................................... 98-93—191 Mary Gersec ................................................ 108-103—211 —— TODAY’S TEE TIMES At Wiltwyck Second Flight 11 a.m.: Marsha Weiss, Helena Baldyga 11:10 a.m.: Colleen Martin, Theresa Keefe 11:20 a.m.: Linda Williams, Marge Bennett, Jayne Bellamy 11:30 a.m.: Connie D’Alessandro, Lynne Caputo, Lenore Schulte 11:40 a.m.: Sandy MancusoLopez, Jackie Roudis, Silvana Dudek First Flight 11:50 a.m.: Marianne Albamont, Pat DeCicco, Mary Furey 12 p.m.: Cynde Modjeska, Francie Xavier, Cheryl Williams 12:10 p.m.: Linda Hudson, Nancy Gogg, Kathy Riisenberg 12:20 p.m.: Yvonne Merck, Linda DePuy, Cathy Copeland Championship Flight 12:30 p.m.: Cindy Woebse, Lynn Formica, Mary Gersec 12:40 p.m.: Kim Hines, Kathy Murphyt, Chelsea Lapp 12:50 p.m.: Amber Pennington, Diane Myers, Ellen Densen