Oak Harbor, Wash. – Lauryn Nguyen of Seattle, Wash. shot rounds of 73-71-71 to win the 31st Washington Women’s Amateur Championship, while Taya Battistella of Bellingham captured the 15th Women’s Mid-Amateur championship after firing rounds of 70-78-78. Both championships were contested this week, June 18-20 at Whidbey Golf Club.
Championship Links:
- Final Results
- Photos
- Complete information (Amateur)
- Complete information (Mid-Amateur)
Nguyen went wire-to-wire to capture the Women’s Amateur and did so in impressive fashion, winning by seven shots over second-place finisher Niuniu Zhao of Woodinville. Nguyen was the only player in the field to finish the championship under par, ending at 1-under.
“It feels great,” said Nguyen when asked about how it feels to get the win. “Good course, good weather, there’s nothing to complain about.”
For the first time, the Washington Women’s Amateur was an official USGA Exemption Event, and the winner received an invitation to this year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Southern Hills. “I’m so excited,” said Nguyen when asked about the exemption. “I’ve never played in a U.S. Amateur, so this is going to be a really good experience.”
This is the first WA Golf title for Nguyen, who was named the 2022 WA Golf Women’s Player of the Year. She’s a rising senior on the Northwestern University women’s golf team and is currently ranked No. 61 in the world on WAGR.
In the Women’s Mid-Amateur, Battistella entered the final round with a six-shot lead over her nearest challenger, Sarah Lawrence of Snohomish. By the 10th hole in today’s round, Battistella’s lead over Lawrence had shrunk to two shots, and after the 16th hole, the two players were tied.
Battistella made a gutsy par on the 17th hole, while Lawrence bogeyed. On the 18th hole, Lawrence had a 12-foot putt for birdie that narrowly missed, and Battistella was able to get in for par to seal a one-shot victory.
This is the first individual WA Golf title for Battistella. She teamed up to win the Washington Mixed Chapman in 2022 with partner Dane Renkert.
Mimi Bommersbach of Coupeville won the Women’s Mid-Amateur Net title after rounds of 80-73-79.
The Women’s Amateur and Women’s Mid-Amateur are two of 14 championships conducted annually by WA Golf.
About Washington Golf
Founded in 1922, Washington Golf (formerly known as WSGA) has grown into one of the largest amateur golf associations in the United States providing a multitude of member benefits and services to more than 92,000 golfers, 520 member clubs, and 260 golf facilities throughout Washington and Northern Idaho. WA Golf also serves as a statewide representative of the United States Golf Association and works closely with a number of allied associations within the golf industry for the betterment of the game.
