Trumbull, Connecticut (July 18, 2023) – Despite a two-hour rain delay and variable weather conditions, Arabella Lopez, the youngest player to ever win the tournament since it began in 1966, secured her first Connecticut Women’s Amateur title at Tashua Knolls Golf Club.
Lopez, who has been knocking on victories door as of late, played confidently and patiently.
“I’ve worked really hard for these events, and I’m really happy to finally hold the trophy,” said the 2022 New England Girls’ Junior Amateur champion and winner of the AJGA event held at Bethpage this past May.
On Tuesday her steady play, ball striking off the tee, and timely putting led her to victory. After an even par-72 in the first round, Lopez kept her foot on the gas shooting a 1-under 71 for a two-day total of 143 (-1).
Lopez (Redding CC) maintained composure in her pursuit of victory throughout the entirety of the 36-hole tournament. She stayed focused and didn’t let the difficult playing conditions affect her mentality.
Annie Dai (CT PGA Junior Golf Association) held a two-shot lead over Arabella Lopez and Mia Grzywinski (CC of Farmington) at the start of the final round. Right out of the gates a two-shot swing thanks to a birdie by Lopez and a bogey by Dai set the tone for the day.
“I really tried to not think about what she was doing,” Lopez said. “It didn’t matter at that point. There was so much golf left to play.”
Dai maintained control over her game as she went on to birdie Nos. 2, 7, and 9 and she made the turn at 4-under-par and ahead by five over Lopez and Gryzwinski.
The lead group made the turn just after a two-hour rain delay and once play resumed Lopez adjusted to the wet conditions well as she continued her steady play into Tuesday evening.
After an errant tee shot by Dai, Lopez found herself tied for first going into the par-5 16th. A clutch birdie putt gave her a two-shot advantage with two holes to play. She parred the 17th and played the eighteenth perfectly.
“I pulled my tee shot on 18 into the rough so I was kind of nervous. My caddie, Mike Argentine (Redding CC head golf professional) did a great job calming me down. I was really just trying to get it onto the green and have a putter in my hand.”
Her patience and ability to persevere paid off when she tapped in for par and prevailed against a strong field.
Annie Dai, winner of the 2nd Girls’ Junior last week, played a solid tournament. She was the only play to finish under par in the first round and went out on Tuesday in 2-under 34. After struggling on the back nine Dai settled for a second place finish at 1-over.
Sydney Nethercott (EClub of Connecticut) made a strong push in the final round to put herself into the top three. After a 3-over 75 in the first round, Nethercott shot 1-under 71 to finish solo third and won the Mid-Amateur Division outright.
Jen Holland (Lyman Orchards Golf Club), the winner of the 2008 Connecticut Women’s Amateur, won the Senior Division with a two-day total of 161.
Debbie Johnson, the 2022 Senior Amateur winner at the Connecticut Women’s Open, won the Super Senior Division with a 152 total.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Women’s Amateur is one of 20 championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. The CSGA functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
