Serruta Goes Wire-to-Wire for Women's Amateur Victory

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Autumn Serruta of the Golf Club of Avon went wire-to-wire to capture the 52nd Connecticut Women’s Amateur Championship on Wednesday, shooting a final round 78 to win by two strokes over Jen Holland. The state’s most prestigious women’s amateur championship was contested over 54-holes of stroke play at the 5,797 yard, par-72 layout at Manchester Country Club in Manchester, Conn.

Serruta carried a lead into the final round after a second round 74 put her three strokes clear of 2008 champion Jen Holland of Lyman Orchards Golf Course. As any champion can attest, the road to victory is filled with highs and lows, and Serruta’s path to holding the Women’s Amateur trophy would be no different.

After starting her first round on Monday one under-par through 12 holes, a pair of double bogies derailed her back nine and she had to settle for an opening round of 76. On Wednesday, after Holland made an early move to grab a share of the lead, Serruta would find trouble in the middle of her round, making bogies on holes #9-13 to drop out of the lead.

“I knew why I was struggling,” said Serruta. “I wasn’t hitting fairways so I couldn’t get to the green in regulation to have a shot at birdie or par. I was making it really tough on myself, so I just tried to go back to my game plan of taking it shot by shot and hitting fairways.”

Trailing Holland by a single stroke going into the par-5 15th, Serruta needed a change in momentum to turn things around. After hitting her approach to a modest 35 feet from the cup, she did the unexpected – drained the putt in the center of the cup for a share of the lead.

“Making that putt was a huge change mentality-wise for me,” said Serruta. “I didn’t really have an idea of where I stood all day and I just tried to focus on playing my own game.”

With Holland making bogey on the following hole, Serruta was back in control. She was able to close out the tournament with a trio of pars for her first Women’s Amateur title.

“This is huge for me,” said Serruta.” I’ve been competing in state golf tournaments since I was ten years old. To win a state tournament, especially since I don’t get to play as often as I’d like, is huge for me.”

Despite coming up short, the runner-up finish for Holland secured her second consecutive Senior division title.

“I almost made a good recovery but playing against the best two competitors that I was paired with today was an awesome match,” said Holland. “We all had a lot of fun out there and all hit some great shots and it was great competition. I’m really happy for Autumn to win, she’s a wonderful player.”

Julia Kemmling of Timberlin Golf Course shot the low round of the tournament on Wednesday, making two birdies and just three bogies for a final round 73. She was able to jump into a tie for third with first round co-leader Alexandra Sazhin of the Golf Performance Center and Sara Houle of Rock Ridge Country Club, all of whom finished at a total of 232 (+16).

The CSGA championship season continues next week with a swing of CSGA team events. The Father & Son Championship, Four-Ball Championship, Junior Four-Ball Championship and Father & Son Net Tournament will all be contested throughout the week. Full results and coverage will be available for all events at csgalinks.org.

Division Results

Overall Division

1st: Autumn Serruta, Golf Club of Avon – 76-74-78—228 (+12)

2nd: Jen Holland, Lyman Orchards Golf Course – 78-75-77—230 (+14)

T-3rd: Julia Kemmling, Timberlin Golf Course – 80-79-73—232 (+16)

T-3rd: Alexandra Sazhin, Golf Performance Center – 76-81-75—232 (+16)

T-3rd: Sarah Houle, Rock Ridge Country Club – 77-79-76—232 (+16)

Junior Division (17 and Under)

1st: Sarah Houle, Rock Ridge Country Club – 77-79-76—232 (+16)

2nd: Nora Noel Nolan, Shorehaven Golf Club – 84-77-86—247 (+14)

Senior Division (50-59 years of age)

1st: Jen Holland, Lyman Orchards Golf Course – 78-75-77—230 (+14)