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KETTERING, Ohio –– Virginia’s three-golfer women’s team shot a final round score of even-par 146 to place third at the 10th United States Golf Association Women’s State Team Championship, which concluded today at NCR Country Club’s South Course (6,153 yards, par 37-36—73).
Virginia registered the best final-day aggregate among the 27 remaining teams. With totals of 152 the first two days, Virginia concluded the national championship at 12-over 450 and finished four strokes behind champion New Jersey (149, 8-over 446). Florida claimed second at 11-over 449 (6-over 152 in the final round).
Virginia notched its best finish in all of its appearances in the national championship, having previously placed fourth at the 1997 State Team at Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. Virginia climbed the leaderboard each round, having vaulted from a tie for seventh to fourth between the first and second rounds.
Central Virginian Abby Portyrata, 17, of Midlothian led the way for Virginia each of the three days. She returned a final round 1-under 72, equaling her first round score. A senior at Clover Hill High School in Midlothian, Portyrata completed play at even-par 219 (72-75-72) and finished fourth individually.
Oakton’s Lauren Greenlief, 23,contributed Virginia’s other score of 1-over 74, carding her best score of the competition (12-over 231 for the three days). Roanoke’s Lyndsey Hunnell, 17, had 82 and her score was not used in the three-count-two team format.
In the final round, Portyrata was one over par through 13 holes, but collected three birdies in a span of four holes at Nos. 14, 16 and 17—all inside 4 feet—and played that stretch in two under par to ultimately post red numbers. She was one of three competitors to record an under par round two of the three days.
“Team golf is exciting, definitely different and a lot of fun,” Portyrata said. “It’s kind of cool that you know you have other players to rely upon and the team camaraderie—I’ve gotten to know Lauren and Lyndsey better over the week.
“I played well the entire week, so it’s good to know that I can play solidly for three days.”
In shooting one over, Greenlief played consistently on a layout that demands precision. Altogether, she logged 14 pars and two birdies against a bogey and a double. Greenlief shot five over par (77-74) the final two rounds and her score was counted toward the team total each of the three days.
Greenlief, who won the VSGA Virginias Women’s Stroke Play Championship a record-tying three years in a row from 2009-11, admittedly characterizes herself as a weekend golfer these days. She is a management consultant for The Boston Consulting Group, a firm based in Washington, D.C., where she works primarily for Fortune 500 companies. In addition to her playing role, she also acted as a motivator.
“It was a great few days. I really enjoyed playing with Abby and Lyndsey. It’s always fun to go out and play for the state that I love,” Greenlief said. “It was a great week.”
“I know I can definitely be competitive. It’s a lot harder when you don’t get to practice a lot. It’s still about patience. I came into the week knowing we had two great young golfers, so I tried to be a role model and pump the team up. I was patient and did the best that I could—I think that’s all you can ever do. I kind of had to rely on experience.”
On the individual leaderboard, Bryana Nguyen of Maryland (Columbia) and Alice Chen of New Jersey (Princeton) shared medalist honors, turning in three-day aggregates of 6under 213.
The Virginia team was captained by Alexandria’s Linda DiVall, who played in the USGA Women’s State Team Championship in 2007 and 2009. DiVall also served as president of the VSGA Women’s Division from 2010-11.
KETTERING, Ohio –– Results following the second round of the 10th United States Golf Association Women’s State Team Championship at NCR Country Club’s South Course (6,153 yards, par 37-36—73) from Thursday, Sept. 19. The two lowest scores from each three-person team constitutes the team score for each round.
New Jersey – 151-146-149—446; Alice Chen, Princeton – 72-67-74—213; Cindy Ha, Demarest – 79-81-75—235; Tara Fleming, Jersey City – 85-79-82—246
Florida – 146-151-152—449; Meghan Stasi, Oakland Park – 73-75-74—222; Tara Joy-Connelly, Palm Beach Gardens – 73-81-78—232; Ericka Schneider, Bradenton – 76-76-80—232
Virginia – 152-152-146—450; Abby Portyrata, North Chesterfield – 72-75-72—219; Lauren Greenlief, Oakton – 80-77-74—231; Lyndsey Hunnell, Troutville – 85-84-82—251
Arizona – 144-158-149—451; Hannah O’Sullivan, Paradise Valley – 71-73-74—218; Stephanie Kim, Tempe – 73-85-75—233; Kylee Duede, Glendale – 82-87-75—244
Maryland – 150-155-149—454; Bryana Nguyen, Columbia – 71-72-70—213; Andrea Kraus, Baltimore – 79-85-83—247; Lisa Schlesinger, Laytonsville – 87-83-79—249
Colorado – 155-152-150—457; Jennifer Kupcho, Westminster – 77-80-74—231; Hannah Wood, Centennial – 78-77-76—231; Melissa Martin, Grand Junction – 81-75-78—234
Georgia – 154-153-153—460; Laura Coble, Augusta – 75-76-80—231; Brenda Pictor, Marietta – 83-77-73—233; Mercedes Huarte, Suwanee – 79-83-81—243
Minnesota – 154-156-151—461; Olivia Herrick, Roseville – 78-77-77—232; Sarah Burnham, Maple Grove – 79-79-74—232; Celia Kuenster, Mendota Heights – 76-80-78—234
New Mexico – 147-162-152—461; Dominique Galloway, Rio Rancho – 74-81-74—229; Shania Berger, Socorro – 79-81-78—238; Darian Zachek, Deming – 73-93-86—252
Hawaii – 158-155-151—464; Rose Huang, Honolulu – 75-77-74—226; Aneka Seumanutafa, Kapolei – 83-78-82—243; Aiko Leong, Honolulu – 89-80-77—246
Oklahoma – 158-158-148—464; Amber Hensley, Broken Arrow – 74-79-80—233; Jade Staggs, Oklahoma City – 84-79-70—233; Kelly Fuchik, Tulsa – 91-83-78—252
Tennessee – 152-158-156—466; Blakesly Warren, Chattanooga – 73-78-81—232; Corinna Rees, Nashville – 82-81-76—239; Courtney Chandler, Franklin – 79-80-80—239
Wisconsin – 158-153-156—467; Jessie Gerry, Merrimac – 78-78-76—232; Gabrielle Curtis, Eau Claire – 80-75-80—235; Maggie Leef, Brookfield – 83-83-82—248
Texas – 156-154-161—471; Mina Hardin, Fort Worth – 75-77-80—232; Megan Thothong, Dallas – 82-77-81—240; Taylor Slagle, Southlake – 81-79-84—244
Oregon – 158-163-151—472; Kate Hildahl, Portland – 79-79-79—237; Brie Stone, Veneta – 83-84-73—240; Rosie Cook, Bend – 79-84-78—241
Michigan – 158-159-155—472; Shannon Warner, Livonia – 78-79-79—236; Jacqueline Setas, East Lansing – 80-80-76—236; Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, Haslett – 83-82-82—247
Kentucky – 158-157-157—472; Lucy Nunn, Lexington – 71-76-80—227; Ellen Kehoe, Campbellsville – 87-81-77—245; Krissy Martin, Louisville – 95-87-82—264
North Carolina – 158-158-157—473; Amber Marsh-Elliott, Greensboro – 76-73-76—225; Debbie Adams, Asheville – 82-85-81—248; Angela Stewart, Greenville – 88-89-84—261
Ohio – 160-157-156—473; Allison Schultz, Cincinnati – 78-79-79—236; Shirley Vaughn, Akron – 82-78-80—240; Suzi Spotleson, Canton – 86-80-77—243
Illinois – 159-162-153—474; Nora Lucas, Chicago – 78-80-79—237; Alyssa Gaudio, Western Springs – 81-82-74—237; Laura Carson, Lake Forest – 82-84-81—247
Louisiana – 160-159-155—474; Kay Daniel, Covington – 79-81-78—238; Julia Johnson, Baton Rouge – 86-78-77—241; Sarah Davison, Choudrant – 81-82-82—245
California – 158-161-157—476; Robyn Puckett, Irvine – 84-77-76—237; Lynne Cowan, Rocklin – 74-84-84—242; Karen Garcia, Cool – 84-87-81—252
South Carolina – 161-159-158—478; Dawn Woodard, Greer – 81-75-75—231; Lea Venable, Simpsonville – 80-84-89—253; Terrie Allemang, Hilton Head – 85-87-83—255
Idaho – 162-158-158—478; Gabrielle Barker, Caldwell – 81-74-75—230; Kareen Markle, Meridian – 81-84-83—248; Shawna Ianson, Boise – 89-91-91—271
Indiana – 148-160-171—479; Tobi Herron, Columbus – 75-77-86—238; Nina Whalen, Indianapolis – 73-83-91—247; Michelle Smith, Fort Wayne – 86-91-85—262
Missouri – 158-164-159—481; Catherine Dolan, Ballwin – 78-78-81—237; Alisha Matthews, St. Louis – 80-86-78—244; Stephany Powell, Springfield – 86-89-95—270
Pennsylvania – 156-163-164—483; Brynn Walker, St. Davids – 76-81-85—242; Kelli Pry, Coatesville – 85-82-79—246; Amy Kennedy, York – 80-88-87—255
Second day recap
First day recap
Virginia team set for the USGA Women’s State Team Championship