Schenectady
Given the disruption of golf tournament schedules caused by COVID-19, playing in the Schenectady Classic was an obvious choice for Pat Mayne, one of the area's top women amateurs.
"So many things have been canceled," she said, "I'm trying to find more things to play in."
Mayne made her two days at Schenectady Municipal worthwhile, posting back-to-back 74s and winning women's division of the Classic by an impressive 18 strokes Saturday.
"I liked both rounds, but I was upset that I missed a couple putts," said Mayne, a member at Western Turnpike. "I four-putted on 12 (for double bogey), but I've been putting pretty well lately. I hate missing putts more than anything."
The putting woes were quickly erased when Mayne drained 30- and 10-footers for on 15 and 16. She had four birdies on the day.
Fellow Western Turnpike member Kelly McKenna was second. Her followed her career-best round of 81 Friday with 85.
"She's amazing," McKenna said of Mayne. "It's inspirational. It's so nice to see that and appreciate it if you're a golfer and appreciate that kind of golf."
A left-hander in her third year of playing, McKenna has caught the golf bug. She confessed that this was her first tournament outside of her home course.
"I was a little nervous," said McKenna, a Chatham native who lives in Ravena. "I probably was more nervous driving here to Schenctady. I'm not a city driver. Once I got here, it was fine. Everybody's so nice. That it makes it easy. You just come in and play your game and everybody's nice.
"I love golf. I watch golf, I could work in golf. I can't get enough of it. I'll tell you, I'm hooked."
Mayne, a three-time Northeastern Women's Golf Association champion, will be taking her skills south next month.
"I'm going to Florida in October to play in the...
