June 12, 2022
Hayward resident Katrina Camitoc won't forget her NCGA Women's Mid-Amateur debut anytime soon.
Camitoc, who played collegiately at San Jose State, shot a final round 2-under 69 to come from behind and win the title by a shot over her former Spartans teammate Jen Brumbaugh. The 32-year-old Camitoc finished the event with a 36-hole total 3-over 145.
"It's so awesome to get an NCGA win," Camitoc, who last tasted victory in college. "I saw that there was a Mid-Am and thought I'd give it a go."
For Camitoc, who's married and has a 14-months-old son (Lukas) along with a job in Marketing at Mastercard, just getting out on the course can be a challenge. "I really don't get to play much," she said. "When we can bring Lukas to the course, we bring him. It's fun."
A day after shooting 76, Camitoc had a rough start, going 3-over through her first four holes thanks in part to a double-bogey on the 1st. . But she'd bounce back, carding birdies on Nos. 3 and 6 and an eagle on the par-5 9th to get back to even par. After making the turn, Camitoc made all pars, adding birdies on the 16th and closing 18th to seal the win.
Brumbaugh, who opened with a 38 on the front-nine, had a chance to catch her friend but was snakebit by a double-bogey on the par-4 12th.
Third place went to Holly Bare at 148 after a final round 69. First round leader Sally Krueger, who was looking for her first NCGA win, fell back to sixth place after a 79.
jDuring her NCGA Hall of Fame career, Sally Krueger among many other things won a record 10 San Francisco City Women's Championships. She also played in the annual AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am back when women hardly ever made an appearance.
Never, however, has Krueger won an NCGA title. She's been a runner-up at the NCGA Senior Women's Amateur, but that's as close as she's come.
That could all change on Sunday. Krueger took the lead in this weekend's 2nd annual NCGA Women's Mid-Amateur, posting a solid 1-over 72 Saturday at Poppy Hills. Her big move was a 34 on the front-nine that included three birdies.
Going into the final round, she'll hold a two-shot lead over Jen Brumbaugh. Brumbaugh, of Boulder Creek, posted a 74. A former star at San Jose State, Brumbaugh's charge included a string of three birdies over four holes (Nos. 15, 16 and 18).
Three players---Renata Young, Meggie Gilbert and Katrina Camitoc--are in at 76, just four off the lead.
The NCGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship was created in 2021 as a partner of the annual NCGA Mid-Amateur Championship.