West Penn Amateur champion Katie James doubles down with state am title

Katie James pulled off the amateur double.

A junior-to-be at Southern Methodist and Shady Side Academy graduate, James held back a talented field of some of the state’s better players to capture the 84th Pennsylvania Golf Association Amateur Championship on Wednesday at Lebanon Country Club.

James, who recently defended her title at the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association Amateur, posted rounds of 74 and 75 for a 5-over total of 149 to edge past Megan McLean (150) of Saucon Valley and Megan Meng (151) of Jericho National.

The event was shortened from 54 to 36 holes due to rain and storms from Tropical Storm Isaias. It began Monday, was washed out Tuesday and resumed Wednesday.

Traditionally, the winner is decided through match play, but the association switched to stroke play in 2020.

James, who calls Fox Chapel Golf Club home and had lost in the first round of match play — in extra holes — in each of the last two years, avoided a strong push from McLean, who tied the low round of the tournament with a 73 in round two. That followed an opening 77.

First-round leader Jade Gu of Yardley shot 73-83 and finished tied for eighth.

While she did not make a birdie on the back nine in the final round, James made the turn in 36 to maintain her slight edge.

“I knew my game was in a solid place,” James told the PGA. “I’m just glad I was able to play steady on the back nine and win.

“I knew that was going to be tough. There were a lot of people bunched up near the top of the leaderboard and having two rounds instead of three obviously is very different. A lot can happen out there.”

Another ?for Katie James! #PonyUp ?? https://t.co/aFkRNk1qND

— SMU Women's Golf (@SMUGolfW) August 5, 2020

Caroline Wrigley, a former North Allegheny standout and three-time WPIAL champion, finished tied for fourth at 10-over.

Other WPIAL products to finish inside the top 15 included Mia Kness (Peters Township), who tied for sixth, Olivia Zambruno (Greensburg Central Catholic, T-8), Christina Lewis (North Allegheny, 13th) and Lauren Freyvogel (Pine-Richland, T-14).

James won the 18-hole West Penn Am last week by six shots at Green Oaks Country Club in Verona. She carded a 6-under 67 to topple Katie Miller and Jessica Meyers, who tied for second at even-par 73.

James overcame two knee surgeries in the past year to return to competitive golf. Her first operation came last fall after she suffered a torn meniscus.

The mid-amateur, super-senior and senior divisions were shortened to 18 holes.

Hempfield grad Katie Miller and Molly Gorman of Wyoming Valley shared the mid-amateur title after matching 6-over 78s.