We had an exciting final round of the Northeast Delta Dental International Golf Tournament last Sunday at Beaver Meadow Golf Course in Concord, which ended in what seemed to be a flashback to last year’s sudden-death triumph between Jenny Gleason and Esther Choe. On the 18th hole, Thailand’s P.K. Kongkraphan stole the lead from Michelle Shin of Cape Coral, Fla., during a triple sudden-death playoff, and finished with an overall score of 207 (nine strokes under par). On the first day of the tournament, 144 professional women golfers participated – the same number of toothbrushes in one case. More than 35 people participated in the Healthy Golf Course Walk with me on Tuesday morning. We saw an incredible amount of talent this year and wish all of the women good luck on their next stop – the IOA Golf Classic in Palm Harbor, Florida and throughout the rest of The Symetra Tour!
Happening simultaneously, was the 26th Cranmore Hill Climb in North Conway presented by Northeast Delta Dental. In addition to this hill climb acting as the USA Mountain Running National Championship it also served as the North American, Caribbean, and Central American (NACAC) Mountain Championships. In a striking show of athleticism, stamina, and determination it was Joe Gray and Morgan Arritola who claimed first place for the men’s and women’s divisions. Gray finished the 12 kilometer course with a time of 56:23, making this his fifth consecutive NACAC win. Arritola earned her first place for the women running the 8-kilometer course at a time of 42:31, which was just 19 seconds ahead of the next finisher. Although these victories for Gray and Arritola earned them an automatic spot on the U.S. Mountain Running Team, Arritola turned down the offer. We wish the U.S. Mountain Running Team luck as they continue on to Poland to compete this September!
