FALMOUTH, Maine – Shannon Johnson (Thorny Lea GC) traveled to Falmouth, Maine with a goal of winning her second championship in as many months.
Following 54 holes of stroke play at The Woodland Golf Club against a field of some of the top golfers from the six New England states, Johnson accomplished her goal and captured the 2018 NEWGA Championship title. She can now add her list to the distinguished past champions board which includes Hall of Famers such Joanne Goodwin, Pat Bradley, and Jane Blalock.
Johnson finished with a three-round score of 2-under par 214, which was five strokes better than second-place finisher Hannah Ghelfi (Pocasset GC). It marks her first career NEWGA Championship crown and her second major win of the season.
With her latest win, Johnson continues to add to her growing list of Bay State golf achievements. Just last month, Johnson made history by becoming only the fifth player in that event’s history and the first since 2008 to capture more than three Edith Noblit Baker Trophy titles. Only Gene McAuliffe (1954, 1960-61, 1968), Goodwin (1955-59, 1971-72), Nancy Black (1950-51, 1963, 1967) and Tara Joy Connelly (1997, 2006-08, 2010, 2013-14) have accomplished that feat.
After posting an even par 72 on Monday, Johnson distanced herself from the field with a 4-under par 68 on Tuesday. It was a mark that represents the only under-par round posted by any competitor in the field over that three-day period. Although she was unable to deliver a similar under-par performance on Wednesday, Johnson still posted the lowest round of the day which was a 2-over par 74.
Johnson led a contending field of Bay State competitors which saw the top four and seven of the top 10 spots on the leaderboard be claimed by Massachusetts-based golfers. In addition to Johnson and Ghelfi, other Bay State golfers who notched that top-10 finish include: Alison Eleey (South Shore CC), Pam Kuong (Charles River CC), Sue Curtin (Boston GC) and Joanne Catlin (Oak Hill CC).
For more information, visit the NEWGA web site at newenglandwga.org.
