Parsells Eyes Second Title, Set to Battle Delfino in Women’s Mid-Amateur Final
UNION, N.J. - Defending Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion Christina Parsells will face Daria Delfino in finals of the 12th Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Suburban Golf Club on Thursday morning.
Parsells, who won the title last year at Watchung Valley Golf Club won both her matches in convincing fashion. This is the first year the format of the Women’s Mid-Amateur switched to match play.
“I love the move to match play,” Parsells mentioned following her semifinal win. “It opens up the field and anything can happen. It's anyone's game from start to finish, which I love. Plus, Suburban is an awesome course for match play. It’s a great combo.”
Battling through the high temperatures, Parsells credited her game off the tee for carrying her through the quarterfinals and semifinals.
“My game off the tee is usually my strong suit and yesterday it kind of failed me,” Parsells added. “I brought things back today and my irons were really consistent, too. My putter has been a little iffy, but we're getting things back and overall I would say everything was pretty consistent.”
Parsells will face Delfino in the final—a familiar pairing, as the two were teammates in the 2024 New Jersey Women’s Four-Ball. Delfino secured her spot in the championship match after a thrilling semifinal victory over two-time champion Kate Granahan. Up by two with five holes to play, Delfino saw her lead disappear as Granahan rallied to even the match on No. 16. The two remained tied through the next few holes, sending the match to No. 1 for a 19th-hole playoff. There, Delfino’s steady par on the 386-yard par 4 proved enough to clinch the win.
“Kate is an incredible player and I knew today was going to be extra innings for sure, especially because she's just such a grinder and makes very few mistakes. I knew I had to bring my A-game,” Delfino reflected. "My game really showed up for me today. Yesterday was definitely a battle with the heat, and I knew you just had to stay patient.”
Delfino and Parsells, also former coworkers will meet at 8:10 a.m. on Thursday.
“I'm so excited to get to play with Christina,” Delfino said of her title match opponent. "We're great friends and Four-Ball partners and previous coworkers. I'm just excited to have a good day, a fun battle, a great golf course, and I don't have to work – so that’s a plus.”
Quarterfinal Results
Kate Granahn def. Aidong Ma, 5 and 4
Daria Delfino def. By WD over Amy Hajjar
Christina Parsells def. Carly Ayres, 7 and 6
Paola Chan def. Kelsey Solan, 5 and 3
Semifinal Results
Daria Delfino def. Kate Granahan, 19 holes
Christina Parsells def. Paola Chan, 6 and 5
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