ROCKPORT, Maine (June 26, 2024) –
Rare in a New England golf season is bluebird skies for multiple days. The bubble that surrounds the Samoset Resort and Rockport, Maine continued to prove it’s beauty and persevere through the surrounding area storms that were nearing as the final groups began to make the turn. The bubble popped as the final putts dropped and the rain settled in for the evening. The challenge increased during the second round with whipping winds in the form of a nice seabreeze drying out and firming up the greens, and the rain is only going to decide who will fare well in the final round.
As the waves crashed a little louder along the breakwater than they did on day 1, the bay in the distance continued to give the resort vacation feeling to the championship at stake.
Circulating near the top of the board yesterday, was our neighbor from New Hampshire, Carys Fennessy, who rounded out day 2 as the only player in the championship division to finish under par. With a 2-under, 69, on the card, she sits at even with the solo lead headed into day 3.
“I definitely want to focus more on my wedge and iron approaches into greens but keep trying to hit the ball straight and down the middle of the fairways. I think that would definitely be best to keep scoring low and making birdies” said Fennessy.
Trailing closely all day was Connecticut’s Amelie Phung who finished even on the round and 1-over for solo-second. Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill CC) sits three back in third.
In the senior championship, Tara-Joy Connelly (The Kittansett Club) maintained a steady lead over Pam Kuong (Charles River CC). Joy-Connelly carded 2 birdies on the back nine to round out day 2 and remains the only player in the field under par.
“Wind came from three different directions today. Starting on one we were downwind, so I was trying to keep my wedge under the wind and that didn’t work out. So that was a change of gameplan out of the gate when I went over one and bogeyed” said Joy-Connelly.
“So then I just kept it low and in front of me for the rest of the front nine, and then it died down at the turn. We thought maybe some thunder, and then just completely got docile. The wins came from the other direction the last couple of holes and I was just trying to figure it out. And it was so nice when it finally calmed down.”
In terms of the final round at stake and the changes in weather on the course, Joy-Connelly has plans to read where the wind blows and take it from there.
“I definitely was over reading the putts. They were a little crispier and dried out so I was over reading them. I think they were a whole lot faster today. I’m kind of judging on the conditions [for tomorrow]. I know it was supposed to rain overnight. I’m sure the wind is usually always up here. So I will take it from there.”
Closing out the top-5 in the senior division were Natalie Galligan (Pocassett GC) and Sue Curtin (Boston GC) tied in third and Ruth Colucci (ME) in fifth with a one-stroke difference.
In the Legends Championship, Thea Davis (ME) retains her lead going into day 3. With a 5-stroke lead over Kathi O’Grady (ME) and a 7-stoke lead over Danielle Lee (Renaissance).
The cut was made at the end of round 2 with the top 25 players from each tee set. Round 3 will begin Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. where the tournament division will tee off first followed by the championship scores high to low.
LEADERBOARDS AFTER ROUND 2
CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISON
1. Carys Fennessy, (New Hampshire); 142 (E)
2. Amelie Phung, (Connecticut); 143 (+1)
3. Lillian Guleserian, (Blue Hill CC); 146 (+4)
4. Megan Buck, (Thorny Lea GC); 148 (+6)
5. Shannon Johnson, (Thorny Lea GC); 150 (+8)
SENIOR DIVISION
1. Tara Joy-Connelly, (The Kittansett Club); 137 (-5)
2. Pamela Kuong, (Charles River CC); 146 (+4)
3. Sue Curtin, (Boston GC); 158 (+16)
T4. Natalie Galligan, (Pocasset GC); 159 (+17)
T4. Ruth Colucci, (Maine); 159 (+17)
LEGENDS DIVISION
1. Thea Davis, (Maine); 163 (+21)
2. Kathi O’Grady, (Maine); 167 (+25)
3. Danielle Lee, (Renaissance); 169 (+127)
4. Mary Brandes, (Maine); 175 (+33)
5. Amy Butcher, (Vermont); 183 (+41)
JUNIOR DIVISION
1. Carys Fennessy, (New Hampshire); 142 (E)
2. Amelie Phung (Connecticut); 143 (+1)
3. Lillian Guleserian, (Blue Hill CC); 146 (+4)
4. Jade Haylock, (Maine); 152 (+10)
T5. Alexandra Phung, (Connecticut); 154 (+12)
T5. Maddie Smith, (Vesper CC); 154 (+12)
View this post on Instagram
For the latest updates on all Mass Golf events, visit MassGolf.org or follow Mass Golf on Facebook, X and Instagram at @PlayMassGolf.
