Shannon Johnson of Thorny Lea Golf Club earned medalist honors at the 122nd Massachusetts Women’s Amateur Championship.
Not even temperatures in the 90s could cool off Johnson, who carded a 2-under par 70 to finish the second and final day of stroke play at 6-under. Johnson was the winner of the 2018 championship at George Wright GC.
One shot back was Molly Smith of Westford and Vesper CC. Smith posted a 3-under 69 in her second round to continue her strong summer.
Isabel Brozena of Indian Ridge CC also fired a 69 and was 3-under. The only other player under par was Rebecca Skoler of Pine Brook (1-under) after rounds of 74 and 71 at historic Concord Country Club. Skoler captured the 2023 championship.
The round of the day was turned in by Alexis Florio. The Woodland Golf Club member carded a 67 to go flying up the leaderboard and tie for fifth after stroke play. Now the tournament switches to match play.
Wednesday will feature Round of 32 matches in the morning and Round of 16 matches in the afternoon. Thursday will also be a long day at the historic venue as quarterfinal and semifinal matches are on tap.
The final two golfers will clash Friday in an 18-hole championship. Molly Smith’s two sisters also easily made the cut and advanced to match play.
Mt. Pleasant’s Morgan Smith, the defending champion and the winner of the event two of the last three years, improved four shots to shoot a 74 and tie for ninth at 152. One shot back was younger sister Maddie Smith. Representing Long Meadow GC, the Westford Academy senior-to-be posted a 77 on Tuesday.
In the opening round of match play, Morgan Smith was slated to play Kylie Eaton (KOHR Golf) at 8:30 a.m., Maddie Smith was scheduled to face Erika Redmond (Student Member/MIAA) at 9:10 a.m., and Molly Smith was set to battle Megan Buck (Thorny Lea) at 9:20 a.m.
This is the sixth time Concord CC has hosted the event and the third time in the last 21 years.
College soccer
UML gearing up: The UMass men’s soccer team played an exhibition game Tuesday against the University of Rhode Island in Lowell.
The River Hawks are coming off a 6-5-5 season and a 1-4-2 mark in the America East Conference. UML will play a second exhibition game Saturday against Stonehill before getting the season under way for real on Aug. 21 when the River Hawks will host Saint Peter’s at 4 p.m.
The River Hawks will play four games in August.
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