Section II to host tourney
Less than two years after establishing a girls’ golf championship, Section II has been awarded the next three state tournaments.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced last week that the next three girls’ golf state championships will be played in Section II. The 2022 tournamnent will take place the first week of June at Mcgregor Links. The following two years the event will go to Edison.
“They’re just two great facilities,” Section II girls’ golf chairman Eileen Troy said Tuesday.
The sport had its groundbreaking moment in October 2019 when nearly 50 girls participated in the inaugural sectional championship and state qualifier at the Fairways of Halfmoon. Former LPGA pro and Saratoga Springs resident Dottie Pepper was part of that day’s festivities.
A total of 12 schools were represented. That number increased to 16 this season, although the COVID -19 pandemic prevented any championships or qualifiers from materializing. The girls’ golf state championship scheduled for next month also was canceled.
With the boost of having the state event within its boundaries, Section II is set up for another growth spurt in the sport.
“Once you start the sport, it usually grows,” Troy said, “and we’re at particular advantage, having Dottie Pepper’s support. She was a pioneer at the time when she played at Saratoga. Then having the NENYPGA (Northeastern New York PGA) headquarters right there in Colonie, they do so much to promote junior golf and all the opportunities. We’re really fortunate to have that relationship, too.”
Troy said it is too early to know how many additional schools will offer the sport next season. For now, girls’ golf will remain a fall sport in Section II — matching what the boys offer — even though the state event will remain the first weekend of June.
In fact, the girls’ state tournament has been shifted to mirror the boys’ event, with a Saturday practice round followed by 18-hole rounds Sunday and Monday.
“If you make too many changes too soon, you lose the ground you established,” Troy said. “We’re all set for running (the sectional) in the fall and running the qualifier in the fall for ’21-’22.”
Mohawk opened its course Monday for the U.S. Open local qualifier, and the renovations over the past year are impressive. From the golfer’s perspective, some heavy tree removal has given a homier feeling to the course in addition to more sunlight to the greens.
“The trees behind the first green ran out of their shelf life, so to speak,” Mohawk head pro Jeremy Kerr said. “There were a couple falling down each year. If somebody walked in at the wrong time, they could have a tree fall on them. It’s really opened up the golf course and given players a much more beautiful view of the golf course in its entirety.”
Mike Rutherford, who purchased the club 18 months ago, has invested heavily in all parts of the club. The parking lot and cart paths were repaved. An extension to the patio was added. The ballroom, President’s Room and swimming area all have had extensive upgrades. All have enhanced one of the best course layouts in the Capital Region.
“He’s done all the changes that we’ve needed to do for a long time but just didn’t have the budget to do,” Kerr said. “He’s committed to making the best private club in the whole Capital Region.”
Kennedy Swedick of Altamont earned a berth in the New York State Golf Association Junior Championship by winning the girls’ overall title in the rain-shortened New York State PGA Junior Championship at Leatherstocking. Swedick, shooting in the 12-14 age division, shot a 77. Nicole Criscone of Clifton Park won the girls’ 15-18 division. Kieran Cummins of Loudonville tied for second in the boys’ overall results.
The USGA has granted Cristie Kerr an exemption into the U.S. Women’s Open next month at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Kerr, the 2007 Women’s Open champion, played in the 1996 Futures Classic as an 18-yearold at the Town of Colonie, finishing second to Stephanie Comstock of Binghamton. Kerr is third in LPGA career earnings, trailing only Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb, but has slipped to 100th in the world rankings.