Pairings | Results
June 17, 2026
It's safe to say that Lily Peng is a fan of the new 18-hole Championship Course at Poppy Ridge.
Peng, a 17-year-old senior at Carondelet High, got in a groove on the Jay Blasi-designed layout en route to cruising to a six-shot win at the annual NCGA Women's Amateur Stroke Play Championship. Having already committed to UCLA, Peng put up rounds of 67-65-68 for a 54-hole total of 16-under 200. Both her 36-hole and 54-hole totals set championship records.
"I was trying not to think about it being a tournament so much. I just focus on my own game," Peng said.
Over her three rounds, Peng posted 19 birdies to go with an eagle on the tough par-5 7th hole, while only making five bogeys.
"I think the first two days were a challenge, especially with the wind in the second round. The greens are also so firm and fast and slopey," Peng said. "It's a great course."
Defending champion Sarah Lim, who plays at Princeton, tried to make a run but Peng never opened the door. Lim placed second at 209 after a final round 69. Emma Wang was third at 208.
Senior Championship
Hillsborough resident Xialong 'Sherry' Zhong had won multiple Legacy events, including going back-to-back at the recent Stroke Play Championship.
This time, she finally got to taste an NCGA victory. Zhong, a former pro who competed in China and Japan before stepping away from the tour life in 2011, sank a 4-foot putt for par on the 18th hole at Poppy Ridge to walk away with a win at the annual NCGA Senior Amateur Match Play Championship.
For Zhong, who turned 50 in March, it wasn't easy. She'd have to hold off runner-up Lynne Cowan and third-place finisher Sally Krueger, a pair of NCGA Hall of Famers. Cowan had putt the pressure on Zhong by making a birdie on the 18th to enter the clubhouse at a total of 3-over 214.
"I just wanted to make it. I made so many putts to make par or get under par during the tournament," said Zhong, who finished the 54-hole event with a total of 212 (75-68-69). "That last putt was so important."
Cowan, a record five-time winner of the event, made a surge with a second-round 69. A final round of 67 applied even more heat.
But Zhong responded. Clutch birdies at holes Nos. 9 and 13 helped keep her atop the leaderboard. Krueger finished at 216 after a final round of 70.
Photo Gallery Below
June 16, 2026
San Ramon's Lily Peng is making herself hard to catch at this week's NCGA Women's Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Poppy Hills.
On Tuesday, Peng, currently at the No.5 in the AJGA girls' rankings, posted a sizzling 7-under 65 to get to a championship record 36-hole total of 12-under 132. The previous 36-hole low was 5-under-par 139, set in 2016 by champion Camille Orito.
A day after taking the lead with a 67, Peng, who's headed to UCLA in 2027, again was in a groove. She'd go bogey-free, posting five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 7th to give herself a five-shot cushion heading into Wednesday's final round.
The next closest players are defending champion Sarah Lim and Emma Wang, who are at 7-under 137 after rounds of 66 and 69, respectively.
Senior Championship
Xialong 'Sherry' Zhong has a slew of Legacy event titles to her name, including the Stroke Play Championship, which she recently won for the second straight year.
Now, Zhong is on the cusp of claiming her first NCGA title. On Tuesday, the Hillsborough resident fired a second round 4-under 68 at Poppy Ridge to take the lead in this week's Senior Am Stroke Play Championship with a two-day total of 143.
She'll head into Wednesday's final round holding a one-shot lead over Lara Tennant, who carded her second straight 72 to get to 144. Tennant, who has had an illustrious career, including winning the 2020 and 2024 California Senior Women Amateur crowns and three straight U.S. Senior Women Amateur crowns (1999-2002), is also in search of her first NCGA title.
NCGA Hall of Famer Sally Krueger (72), is just three shots off the lead. Fellow Hall of Famer Lynne Cowan also got into contention with a 69, leaving her just four behind Zhong.
Cowan, a member at Sierra View CC, has already won the Senior title a record five times.
Photo Gallery Below
June 15, 2026
San Ramon resident Lily Peng is the one to catch after opening day of this week's NCGA Women's Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Poppy Hills.
On Monday, Peng, currently at the No.5 in the AJGA girls' rankings, posted a solid 5-under 67 that included a back-nine 32. Committed to UCLA for the 2027 season, Peng would birdie holes Nos. 16-18 in succession to break away from the pack.
In a tie for second at 68 are Emma Wang and Janna Andaya. Wang, also a Class of 2027 member, participated in last month's USNDP Team NorCal camp at Poppy Hills and is currently No.5 in the JTNC girls' rankings. Andaya, who hails from Santa Clara, is the elder, having recently completed her junior season at UC Riverside.
The winner of the event will earn an automatic exemption into this year's U.S. Women's Amateur, set for Aug. 4-9 at The Honors Course in Tennessee.
Following Tuesday's second round, a cut will be made with the low 18 players (and ties) advancing to Wednesday's final round.
Senior Championship
Monterey Peninsula CC member Lara Tennant has had an illustrious career, including winning the 2020 and 2024 California Senior Women Amateur crowns.
Missing, however, from Tennant's resume is an NCGA win. Could this be the week?
On Monday, the Oregon native grabbed the lead in the Senior championship, carding a solid even-par 72.
Ailam Newkirk, who was tied with Tennant for much of the day, is in second place at 73. NCGA Hall of Famer Sally Krueger is third at 74.
Following Tuesday's second round, a cut will be made with the low 12 players (and ties) advancing to Wednesday's finale.
Photo Gallery Below
