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Alexandra Sazhin of the Golf Performance Center and Autumn Serruta of the Golf Club of Avon both shot rounds of four over-par 76 to claim the overnight lead after day one of the 52nd Connecticut Women's Amateur Championship. The state’s most prestigious women’s amateur championship is being contested over 54-holes of stroke play at the 5,826 yard, par-72 layout at Manchester Country Club in Manchester, Conn.
Serruta held a commanding opening round lead early her in back nine, making two birdies and just one bogey to stand at one under-par through 12 holes. An unfortunate pair of double bogies on the 13th and 15th holes led to a closing nine of 40, but even with her stumble, Serruta still shares the lead at four over-par.
“I hit a lot of fairways and greens today which was the plan,” said Serruta. “I stumbled on a few holes on the back nine, but I was able to come back strong. I'm going to try to keep the same mentality for the next two rounds to continue to hit fairways and greens and give myself chances.”
On the other hand, Sazhin played remarkably steady all day, recording two birdies and just six bogies on her round to grab an overnight share of the lead. The rising sophomore at Qunnipiac University was named MAAC Rookie of the Year and MAAC Player of the Year and is searching for her first Women's Amateur title.
“I hit my irons very well today, leaving myself short birdie chances,” said Sazhin. “I didn’t make as many as I wanted to, but I gave myself opportunities and that was the key.”
The second round begins at 7:30 a.m. off the #1 tee, with the leaders beginning play at 9:10 a.m. Nine-hole scoring for all groups will be available online at CTWomensAmateur.com.
Team Championship
Any Club represented by two or more players is automatically entered into the team competition for the Connecticut Women's Amateur Championship. The lowest two scores representing that Club each day is counted for the team total, and the Club with the best team total after 36 holes of competition will be crowned the Team Champion. After round one, Tashua Knolls Golf Course represented by Alexa Brown and Faith Garcia hold a one shot lead (167) over Timberlin Golf Club (168) and Wampanoag Country Club (169).
Division Leaders
Overall Division
Alexandra Sazhin, Golf Performance Center – 76 (+4)
Autumn Serruta, Golf Club of Avon – 76 (+4)
Junior Division (17 and Under)
Sarah Houle, Rock Ridge Country Club – 77 (+5)
Senior Division (50-59 years of age)
Jen Holland, Lyman Orchards Golf Club – 78 (+6)
Debbie Johnson, Oronoque Country Club – 78 (+6)
Super-Senior Division (60+ years of age)
Lynda Foster, Madison Country Club – 89 (+17)
