Champions Rise: Gole, Gallagher, and Kyrinis Lead the Way into Quarterfinals

Yesterday, Tuesday, September 16th, was moving day at The Omni Homestead Resort, where the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur pushed into the heart of match play. After a grueling double-round of golf, just eight quarterfinalists remain. This report is being filed Wednesday, September 17th at 8 a.m., as the championship that began with 132 of the best senior women’s amateurs in the world now narrows to the final stretch.

The day’s drama was carried by marquee showdowns between past champions. Defending champion Nadene Gole of Australia faced off against seven-time USGA winner Ellen Port, one of the most decorated players in the field. Port built an early lead, but Gole showed the grit that brought her last year’s title. She clawed back on the inward nine, then sealed the match with a steady par on 18 to win 2 up. “Today’s been a game of patience… Ellen’s always going to be a tough match; she’s a great competitor,” Gole said after the win.

On the other side of the draw, 2023 champion Sarah Gallagher of Georgia squared off against three-time champion Lara Tennant. Their match was a back-and-forth affair until Gallagher pulled away late with a birdie at 16 and a closing par on 18 to secure a 2-up victory. “I just kept that attitude all day and tried to be really patient,” Gallagher reflected.

Meanwhile, 2017 champion Judith Kyrinis of Canada, this week’s stroke-play medalist, stayed the course and advanced to the quarterfinals. Her consistency, paired with the resilience she showed earlier in the week rallying from three down in the Round of 64, keeps her firmly among the favorites.

Local hopes came to an end when Kristin Shifflett of Fredericksburg, Virginia, the last Virginian in the field, bowed out in the Round of 32. With her exit, no home-state players remain in contention.

Elsewhere, veteran Sue Wooster of Australia, a three-time runner-up in this championship, earned her first trip back to the quarterfinals since 2022. Shelly Stouffer of Canada, the 2022 champion and last year’s runner-up, also advanced after a 1-up victory. Their presence ensures that experience remains a major factor as the bracket tightens.

By sunset on Tuesday, the field of 132 had been trimmed to just eight. Wednesday will see both the quarterfinals and semifinals contested, beginning at 8 a.m. The 18-hole championship match is scheduled for Thursday morning at 9 a.m. Admission is free, and spectators are encouraged to come out and follow the action.

Looking ahead, three players stand out as favorites to lift the trophy: defending champion Nadene Gole, 2017 champion and medalist Judith Kyrinis, and 2023 champion Sarah Gallagher. Each has proven themselves under pressure and each has shown the kind of form at The Homestead that could carry them through to the end.

For Allegheny Mountain Radio, I’m Danny Cardwell.