Granahan, Roland Advance to Women's Mid-Amateur Final
CLIFTON, N.J. - Kate Granahan and Alyssa Roland advanced to the championship match of the 13th New Jersey Women's Mid-Amateur Championship after winning their quarterfinal and semifinal matches Thursday at Upper Montclair Country Club.
Granahan, the 2021 and 2023 Women's Mid-Amateur champion, will make her third appearance in the championship match. Roland will compete in the final for the first time.
Competitors faced changing conditions throughout Thursday's quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, as periods of sunshine gave way to spurts of heavy rain on the South and West courses at Upper Montclair Country Club. Despite the fluctuating weather, both finalists turned in steady performances to earn their spots in Friday's championship match.
For Granahan, the venue carried extra significance. A former member at Upper Montclair Country Club, she leaned on years of familiarity with the layout while advancing to another championship match.
"I've played the course a lot and it 100% helps," said Granahan, 32.
After earning medalist honors during stroke play, Roland, of Watchung Valley Golf Club, continued to have an excellent feel for the course with a strong performance in both her quarterfinal and semifinal matches, crediting her short game for her success.
Even after a 5-and-4 quarterfinal victory and taking six of the first seven holes in the semifinals, Roland still feels she has more to get out of her game. Through playing three rounds on the South and West courses over the past two days, Roland believes she's building momentum heading into Friday's championship match.
"I think it's just built my confidence up a bit," said Roland. "There have been a few holes where my driver was a little off and it seems like I'm starting to figure it out and trust my swing a bit more. Hoping that carries through tomorrow."
Roland's steady play in the semifinals against Samantha Perrotta created early separation, allowing the Watchung Valley representative to reach the Women's Mid-Amateur final for the first time. Roland parred six of the first seven holes before Perrotta conceded the match.
"I'm hoping that I can continue that, straighten out my driver a little bit and make some putts tomorrow for birdies," said Roland.
On the opposite side of the bracket, Granahan got off to a swift 2-up lead over Catherine Kim through the first two holes and maintained the advantage the rest of the way. She extended her lead to 3 up at the turn before Kim answered with a birdie on No. 10. Granahan remained steady down the stretch to secure her place in the championship match.
Granahan's road to the final required defeating defending champion Daria Delfino, 6 and 5, in the quarterfinals, a match highlighted by five birdies, including three during a four-hole stretch from Nos. 10-13. Roland recorded four birdies in her quarterfinal victory over Katie Shields.
Competing while pregnant, Granahan acknowledged that conserving energy and staying disciplined has become an added focus throughout the week.
"I'm definitely a bit more tired than I usually am, but besides that, I'm just being a bit more diligent in my pre-shot routine," said Granahan. "Making sure my body is moving as good as it possibly can because obviously I'm carrying a baby right now."
Regardless of Friday's outcome, Granahan's busy stretch of championship golf will continue. She is the lone New Jersey competitor in the field for the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship later this month at Montclair Golf Club, giving her another opportunity to represent the Garden State on a national stage.
The championship match will begin at 7:40 a.m.
NJ Golf Social Media
For the latest updates and news, visit njgolf.org or follow New Jersey Golf on Facebook, X and Instagram at @njgolf1900.
