Choe joins Dottie Pepper by winning state women's amateur title

GUILDERLAND - Nina Choe joined the elite company of Capital Region golfing legend Dottie Pepper on Tuesday.

Choe could thank longtime competitor Sophia Li for helping her reach that high standard.

Fighting off a challenge from Li, Choe finished at 5-under to win the 96th New York State Women's Amateur Championship at Pinehaven Country Club.

"Definitely, it helps us grow as golfers, just the competition," Choe said. "We want each other to do well, but at the same time, we want to beat each other, so it's good competition."

Helped by an eagle on the 15th hole, Choe shot a 4-under 67 in Tuesday's final round to finish two strokes ahead of Li for the 54-hole tournament.

Choe joined Pepper, the Saratoga Springs native who won two majors and 17 LPGA Tour events, as the only players to win the New York state girls' junior and women's amateur titles in the same year. Pepper did it in 1981.

Choe won the junior title at Cavalry Club in Manlius earlier this month.

"I try to have as little expectations as possible," Choe said. "Just try to play as freely as I can and hopefully do my best."

Entering her freshman year at the University of California, Davis, Choe said she's aware of Pepper, who still keeps a high profile as the lead walking reporter for CBS Sports' coverage of the PGA Tour, Masters, and PGA Championship. 

Choe's victory earned an exemption into the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship from Aug. 4 to 9 at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tenn.

"It means a lot," Choe said. "I played a qualifier earlier this year and missed by a couple of shots, so another chance is great."

Playing the same threesome as Choe, Li took a lead on the back nine on Tuesday. She had an eagle on the par-4 10th hole and a birdie on the 11th. However, Li bogeyed the 12th and 14th holes.

Choe took advantage with a birdie on No. 13 and added her own eagle on the par-5 15th hole by sinking a putt of about 30 yards.

She and Li are both from New York City. Choe grew up in Harlem and attended The Ursuline School in New Rochelle. Li, who hails from Queens, is heading into her sophomore year at Dartmouth College.

They hugged after Choe sank a par putt on No. 18 to seal her victory. 

Li said she's grown up playing golf against Choe and some other players in this week's field.

"I think I fought when I needed to," Li said. "In the end, the better player won. I'm really happy for Nina."

Gansevoort's Hayden Knapp, the defending champion, shot a 4-over 75 on Tuesday and finished in fourth at 9-over for the tournament.

"It was a grind out there," Knapp said. "The course played tough. Not my best golf, but it was fun."

She and the other leaders teed off after a rain briefly delayed play on Tuesday morning.

Knapp will play in the Junior PGA Championship in Frisco, Texas, that begins next Tuesday.

"That'll be a lot of fun," Knapp said. "I've got some friends that I'm looking forward to seeing in the field. It's a really nice course. Excited to play it. It's going to be a really great experience."

Lauren Cupp of Rome finished 10-over to win the State Mid-Amateur Championship for players 25 and older that also concluded Tuesday at Pinehaven.

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