Strick and Vultaggio Claim MGA/MetLife Women's Four-Ball Championship
NORTH SALEM, N.Y. (October 15, 2024) — Catherine Strick and Lorraine Vultaggio of the LPGA Amateur Golf Association - Long Island claimed the 39th MGA/MetLife Women’s Four-Ball Championship Tuesday, carding a net 7-under 67 at Salem Golf Club.
The duo began on the 14th hole, a challenging 484 yard, par-5 hole whose green is hidden behind a sharp left turn and over a short stream. Despite the immediate test, the pair started off strong with a net birdie and followed with two more net birdies on Nos. 15 and 17 as they found their place on the leaderboard. As they began the front nine, a highlight came with a net eagle on the par-4 first hole as Vultaggio made a natural birdie on the 342-yard hole. Despite a bogeys on Nos. 4, 5 and 7, the duo added another net eagle on the ninth – an uphill, dogleg right par-5.
Even with their two net eagles, a turning point for the duo came on the 12th hole, where Strick made an up-and-down save for par. Then, on their final hole it was Vultaggio’s long putt for a net birdie that sealed their one-shot win.
Vultaggio and Strick have been a golf duo since 2021. At last year's Women’s Four-Ball Championship, they found themselves in second place in the gross division. This year, they knew in order to win, they would have to persevere through the good and bad.
“You never have to think that you’re out of it,” Strick said. For Strick, it’s important to always stay positive and encourage each other.
“No matter how bad the hole is going, just keep at it,” Vultaggio emphasized. “Highlight the good things and capitalize on that."
Overall, their round included six net birdies and two net eagles as they edged Jami Cheneski and Lindsay Sabel of Quaker Hill Country Club by one shot.