Headline: New Hampshire Native Lauren Thibodeau Claims Co-Medalist Honors at 2016 U.S. Women's Amateur Sectional Qualifying Held at CC of New Bedford
For Immediate Release: July 11, 2016
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2016 U.S. Women's Amateur Sectional Qualifiers (from left) - Hu, Thibodeau, Beaudreau & Tanguay. Click on the photo above to access a larger version. |
North Dartmouth, MA — While 144 of the top male Massachusetts amateur golfers took to the links at Taconic Golf Club to kick off the 108th Massachusetts Amateur Championship on Monday, 13 of the state’s top female amateurs were across the Commonwealth for their own shot at a championship – the 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.
The site: Country Club of New Bedford, where the 40 competitors sought four qualifying and two alternate spots for the Championship Proper, taking place at Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pennsylvania from August 1-7.
At qualifying site No. 18 of the 20 scheduled throughout the United States and Canada, and the only one in New England, it was New Hampshire native Lauren Thibodeau (Hampstead, N.H.) who carded an even-par 71 on the day and took home a share of medalist honors alongside Belinda Hu (San Ramon, Calif.).
“It was the best round I’ve ever played in a USGA qualifier,” said the 16-year-old Thibodeau. “I’ve tried to qualify for a bunch of USGA events. I was very proud of how I played today. It wasn’t an easy golf course.”
After finishing the front nine with a 2-over par, following a trio of bogeys and a birdie on the 450 yard par-5 5th hole, the rising junior at Pinkerton Academy settled down and notched par on all but two holes - No. 13 and No. 15 – where she made birdie. With her performance, she was able to finish at an even par-71 on the Donald Ross designed course.
On a course that played “very difficult”, Thibodeau battled through each of the 18 holes of competition, including the second hole and the final hole, which she claimed to be the two most challenging for her.
She said, “Hole No. 2 was definitely challenging and so was No. 18, because it’s a par four that plays long. Making par on 18 was very good.”
No stranger to the Massachusetts golf scene, Thibodeau plays at her home course just over the border at Windham Country Club in Windham N.H. She has played in several Challenge Cup events, many of which were held in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and will return tomorrow to Southwick and the Ranch Golf Club for the American Junior Golf Association Junior Tournament – a three-day, 54-hole tournament that is part of the AJGA Qualifier Series.
In addition, Thibodeau recently qualified for the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach – which be held September 13-18.
In addition to Thibeadeu and Hu, Valerie Tanguay (Canada) and Lauren Beaudeau (Lemont, Ill.) each finished T3 at 1-over par 72 to take the two remaining spots at Rolling Green next month.
First and second alternate spots were claimed by Kyra Cox (South Salem, N.Y.) and Sienna Chapman (Providence, R.I.), respectively.
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2016 U.S. Women's Amateur Sectional Qualifying
Monday, July 11, 2016
CC of New Bedford (New Bedford, MA)
Par 71 (37-34)
Qualifiers:
T1) Lauren Thibodeau (Hampstead, N.H.) 39-32--71
T1) Belinda Hu (San Ramon, Calif.) 38-33--71
T3) Valerie Tanguay (Canada) 38-34--72
T3) Lauren Beaudreau (Lemont, Ill.) 38-34--72
Alternates:
1st) Kyra Cox (South Salem, N.Y.) 37-36--73
2nd)
Sienna Chapman (Providence, R.I.) 39-35--74
