KINGSTON, N.Y. — The 66th annual Ulster County Women’s Golf Association (UCWGA) Championship figures to be wide open this year with eight-time champion Amber Pennington not competing.

Pennington, who won eight straight UCWGA titles in dominating fashion from 2016-2023, isn’t eligible to play in the county women’s championship as she has taken up residency in Delaware.

Pennington, who earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Delaware State University in May, is currently teaching summer school at a Delaware elementary school.

“I’m sad that I’m not playing this year,” Pennington said in a telephone interview with the Freeman on Tuesday, July 16. “Golf has brought me so far, but I’m at a point right now where it’s too demanding for the other things I want to do. Teaching is a huge priority for me right now.”

Pennington, 21, equaled the all-time record of eight county women’s golf championships set by the legendary Wiggie DeLisio of Woodstock Golf Club in the early stages of the county championship. The UCWGA tournament began in 1959.

Pennington became the youngest player to win the UCWGA tourney when she captured the title in her first try as a 13-year-old playing out of the now-defunct Rondout Country Club in Accord.

Last year, Pennington set a new 54-hole scoring record of 4-under-par 210. She shot the lowest round in UCWGA history when she opened the tournament with a 5-under 65 at Woodstock. That was also the course record for women golfers at Woodstock Golf Club, according to head pro Chris Sanger.

Pennington won the 2023 UCWGA championship by a whopping 38 strokes over runner-up Kim Hines, the three-time county women’s champ who figures to be one of this year’s favorites in the tournament that begins Friday, July 26, at Apple Greens Golf Course in Highland.

Although she couldn’t come up with a favorite moment competing in the county championship, Pennington said she’ll always value the close relationships she made playing in the event.

“Playing with the core group like Ellen (Densen) and Kim (Hines) was special,” Pennington said. “I attribute a lot of my good play to them because they introduced me to playing serious golf, but not being serious while playing golf. I think that really set me up to play really good college golf. Whether they believe it or not, they were so inspirational to my college golf. They put up a fight when we played. Any round I played with them would be a great memory for me.”

Pennington said she was undecided if she would play any more college golf, even though she has eligility remaining. She is currently residing in Hartly, Delaware.

“I just want to say good luck to everyone in the field this year,” Pennington said. “I hope to see the tournament continue to grow. I want to think (tournament director) Diane Myers and the other key people who run it because they’ve gotten me to where I am today. I’m forever grateful for the things they’ve done for me. I don’t think this is it forever, but it’s goodbye for now.”

Myers praised Pennington for her stellar play in the county tournament.

“She has set ultimate records in women’s golf in Ulster County and will continue to do so wherever she goes to pursue golf,” Myers said. “I loved seeing her play. She is a true athlete and a nice person.”

A total of 15 players will compete in the 2024 UCWGA Championship Division. In addition to Hines, the first pairing of players with the lowest handicaps include Marlboro High’s Alexa Trapani and two-time county champion Densen.

Trapani qualified for her second straight New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Girls Golf Championship as an eighth-grader this past season. She finished in a tie for 50th place, an improvement on her first trip to states, where she ended in a tie for 69th.

The UCWGA Championship Division will compete for three days with the second round at Green Acres Golf Course on Saturday, July 27, and the third and final round at Kingston’s Wiltwyck Golf Club on Sunday, July 28.

The 15-woman Championship Division will tee off a 8:30 a.m. in the first round at Apple Greens. A total of seven additional women will compete in the 36-hole First Division, starting at Green Acres at 8 a.m. on the second day. All 22 women will compete in the final round.

This year’s UCWGA scholarship recipient is Mina Pine of New Paltz High. She will receive the DeLisio, Kingston City Schools Consolidated Teachers Golf League and UCWGA scholarship at the banquet following the final round.

Originally Published: July 16, 2024 at 6:29 p.m.