College senior captures New England golf title> Julie Green and Thea Davis top Maine finishers

MARSHFIELD, Mass. – Tara Joy fired an even-par 73 on home turf at the Marshfield Country Club Wednesday to take top honors at the New England Women’s Golf Association Championship.

Joy, a 22-year-old senior from the University of Miami and Marshfield’s reigning women’s champ, carded a 77 in Monday’s first round for a 150 total. Tuesday’s second round was cancelled due to rain.

“I tried to stay even,” said Joy, who next plans to qualify for the LPGA’s Friendly’s Classic. “I tried to be calm and go slow. On Monday, my mind started racing and I had to tell myself to calm down and take one shot at a time.”

Four strokes back and tied for second place were defending New England champion and first-round leader Lisa Griffin and Julie Greene.

Griffin, who plays out of Misquamicut CC in Rhode Island and Greenwich CC in Connecticut, shot rounds of 74 and 80. Greene, of Rhode Island CC, had rounds of 75 and 79.

Maine’s top finishers were Thea Davis of Newport (81-87-168) and Julie Green of Bangor (87-81-168), who tied for 22nd. Vermont was led by Mary Beth Birsky (87-85-172).

Leslie Guenther of Poland Springs finished in 30th position with 84-86-170. Samantha Summers of Wiscasset 84-89-173 finished 43rd. Martha White of Hampden shot 92-89-181 for 69th place. Betsy Frolich of Winslow had 92-94-186 and Diana Summers shot 94-104-198.

Haverhill’s Karen Richardson finished fourth with rounds of 76 and 80 for a 156, followed by Marion Maney-McInerney, of Charles River CC, at 80-77-157. Dana Harrity of Abenaqui CC led New Hampshire’s 12-member contingent with a 77-81-158 for a sixth-place tie with Connecticut’s Sue Dutilly of Pautipaug CC.