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By Arthur Utley
GORDONSVILLE – The Virginias team put itself in an unaccustomed, but welcome, position after day one of the 61st Women’s Virginias-Carolinas matches at Spring Creek Golf Club.
Paced by four duos who captured the maximum three points in their best-ball matches and two sides that earned 2½ points each, the Virginias claimed a 20½-15½ lead at the conclusion of Monday’s play.
Each team is comprised of 24 players — 14 regulars, eight seniors and two super seniors. Three points are available per match: one each for winning the front nine, back nine and overall.
The Virginias team is trying to halt a seven-match losing streak to their counterparts from the Carolinas. Veterans on the Virginias team said they can’t remember winning a daily session in those seven years. The Virginias last won the matches in 2009.
Virginias tandems that swept their matches were Mallory Hetzel-Christina Herbert who defeated Mary Katelyn Holanek-Jessica Spicer; Lynsey Hunnell-Adeena Shears who thrashed Abbey Hartsell-Emily Stinson; Mimi Hoffman-Bev Lane who shut out Lea Anne Brown-Natalie Huff; and Joanne Kitusky-Linda DiVall who vanquished Susan Beaupied-Leigh Coulter.
Picking up 2½ points were Lauren Greenlief-Sirena Walsh who defeated Mary Chandler Bryan-Lea Venable, and Amy Ellertson-Natalie Easterly who topped Terrie Allemang-Pam Prescott.
The Virginias lineup includes a number of reigning champions on the state, national and collegiate levels. Greenlief (International CC) just won the VSGA Women’s Amateur, teamed with Alexandra Austin (Springfield G&CC) to win this year’s VSGA Women’s Four-Ball and was the winner at the 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur. Easterly (CC of Virginia), who was the captain when the Virginias won the team matches in 2009, and Ellertson (Farmington CC) have won the past two VSGA Women’s Four Ball senior division titles. Herbert (College Prep Golf Tour) claimed the NCAA Division III championship as a member of the Bridgewater College golf team. Hoffman (Belle Haven CC) is the current VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur champ.
Two sides from the Carolinas swept their matches. Kim Briele-Angela Stewart defeated Mary Cabriele-Cindy Thompson, and Patty Moore-Anne Washington beat Boodie McGurn-Lindsay Wortham in the super senior pairing of the day.
Registering 2-1 victories for the Carolinas were Courtney McKim-Anna Redding over reigning VSGA Women’s Stroke Play champion Amanda Hollandsworth and Katie Turk; Cecily Overbey-Kayla Thompson over Jessie Merrill-Elizabeth Bose; and Sarah Bertram-Hannah Craver over Abby Portyrata-Andrea Miller.
Sarah Bae-Victoria Huskey of the Carolinas picked up 2½ points against Alex Austin-Karishma Thiagaraj.
Play continues Tuesday with a modified alternate shot format. Singles matches are set for Wednesday.
Retired Richmond Times-Dispatch staff writer Arthur Utley is a frequent contributor to VSGA championship coverage.