Laura Kinsman, a rising senior at St. Andrews University shot back-to-back 74s to win the 2014 Moore County Women’s Amateur hosted by Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club in Southern Pines, NC.

 

Laura found that playing a course much shorter than she is accustomed to was a real challenge to her course management and short game. “I used my notes from the first day to guide my decisions for the second round. If I hadn’t gotten stuck by the tree on the seventeenth, I would have had a better score today. The two birdies kept me in it.”

 

As a college competitor Kinsman usually plays a course set to approximately 6,200 yards. The MCWA course was set at 5,149. It was a different test for all the long hitters. Reports from many of the players included praise for the recently Mid Pines layout, however they were struggling with the pace of the greens.

 

Kinsman is hoping more of her rivals will be playing next year. Defending champion, Mary-Katelyn Holanek was trying her luck at the North & South. Past champions Amanda D’Ostroph and Patty Moore were competing at Porters Neck in the Carolinas team matches.

 

Generous donations from the sponsors and players raised $4,500 for Friend to Friend, the Carthage based shelter serving women of domestic violence and sexual assault.

 

Executive Director, Anne Friesen spoke of her appreciation at the awards luncheon. “We are so excited. Your contribution will help a lot of women in Moore County. This will go a long way to keep our shelter open and operating free of charge to these women who need our help. Many arrive with only their pajamas. This is so great. Women helping women.”

 

The other flight winners of the championship were; Betty Zvarich of Anderson Creek, Donna Rotondo of Pinewild, Elizabeth Bennington of Pinehurst Country Club, Diane Staley of Pinehurst Country Club, Jennette Rafetto of Prestonwood, Diane Tate of Pinehurst Country Club, Patty Camp of Mid South, Jean Lawson Peters of Pinehurst Country Club, and Elizabeth McClain of Pinehurst Country Club.