Liz Caron of Greenwich, Conn. (pictured above) and Lindsay Ann Aho of Brush Prairie, Washington both fired rounds of four under-par 68 to share the overnight lead heading into the final round at the 16th Connecticut Women's Open Championship.
Conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association, the Connecticut Women’s Open is a 36-hole stroke play competition being played at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford, Connecticut on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 27th and 298th. The tournament is open to any amateur or professional female golfer regardless of residency, and annually attracts some of the top competitors from across the country.
Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford is hosting the 16th playing of the Connecticut Women’s Open Championship, and to four-time winner and first-round co-leader Liz Janangelo Caron, there couldn’t be a more familiar setting. The former college All-American and LPGA Tour player grew up at Wampanoag.
“It’s so nice to be home,” said Caron, “seeing so many old friends, sleeping in my old bed, having my mom watch my daughter. It’s just so comfortable and I love it here.”
Caron has also reconnected with her old caddie, Dan Howard. “The last time Dan was with me was in 2006 when we won at Greenwich.” Her victory at Greenwich was Caron’s fourth consecutive Connecticut Women’s Open title, a feat that eclipsed Suzy Whaley’s record string of three straight from 2000 through 2002.
Now a teaching professional who lives in Stamford with husband Jason, winner of the 2012 Connecticut Open, Caron produced a rollercoaster round of 68 that included eight birdies, six pars and four bogeys. Lindsay Ann Aho of Brush Prairie, Washington equaled Caron’s total with a 68 of her own, though in a more conventional manner featuring just one bogey against five birdies.
One stroke behind Caron and Aho stands Carmen Bandea of Johns Creek, Georgia at 69. Bandea went out in 32 before returning home in 37 over the 5,804 yard, par 72 Donald Ross layout. Teri Hjelte of Greenwich, at two-under par 70, was the only other player in the field of seventy-one to break par.
With one round to play in the 36-hole championship, professionals are dominating the leader board holding the top fifteen places. Taylor Babcock of Westport was the low amateur of the day. Babcock is tied for 16th after an opening round 76.
Play in the final round of the 36-hole championship begins at 7:30am Wednesday off the first tee, and concludes with the final pairing of Caron, Aho and Bandea on the first tee at 11:10 a.m. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. Live scoring and updates can be found on the official tournament website at CTWomensOpen.com.
