WATERTOWN, Massachusetts (August 25, 2025) – In a suburban neighborhood on the outskirts of Boston, lies arguably one of the best views of the Boston skyline. Not a lookout, or even a plane window flying into Logan Airport. The title belongs to the 12th green at Oakley Country Club, the home of the 75th Massachusetts Women’s Mid-Amateur for the Keyes Cup.
On this quiet stretch of land, Shannon Johnson (Thorny Lea Golf Club) is on the hunt for her sixth Keyes Cup. Johnson emerged victorious in the 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2023 tournaments, and solidified her first place spot in the Championship division after day 1, with a 2-over-par 73.
“We had the Ouimet here in 2023, we got to learn the craziness of Donald Ross greens, and how you have to position yourself off the tee,” Johnson said. “But then you forget how crazy these green complexes are until you get on them.”
Finishing her front nine at 2-under-par with three birdies, Johnson took ahold of the lead early, and tried to play the course to her advantage as best she could.
“The greens were fast, it was playing difficult. I was kind of on cruise control on the front nine, and then had found myself in a couple unlucky spots,” Johnson said. “Maybe where I hit on the green and where it rolled off to it had a couple three putts on the backside, and just kind of couldn’t get anything going, unfortunately. But, that’s golf.”
Ending today at 2-over-par, Johnson has a 2-stroke lead on reigning champion Megan Buck (Thorny Lea Golf Club), who has been trading off the Keyes Cup with Johnson for the past six years now. Entering tomorrow, Johnson hopes to clean up her mistakes from yesterday, and claim the Keyes Cup once again.
“I think it’ll be a little easier tomorrow, coming back and remembering what happened today. I think I birdied three or four of the par fives, I believe,” Johnson said. “So that was helpful to get into some red numbers early and then, just kind of holding on for your life coming in.”
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Playing in her first Massachusetts Women’s Mid-Amateur, Frances Rush (Presidents Golf Course), found herself sharing a spot at the top of the Tournament division leaderboard, to her surprise, learning the information from her playing partners.
Rush shares the lead for the Tournament division with Kym Pappathanasi (Renaissance), who grabbed a share of the lead with a clutch par putt on the 18th hole.
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“I’ve gotten to know a lot of the women over the years, and it’s just fun,” Rush said. “I’m not going to say don’t take it serious, but it’s a little more relaxing when you get to know a lot of the women, and they’re your friends.”
Rush had a helping hand in learning the tricky greens, playing Oakley in a team match and a practice round the week prior.
“I’m still nervous, but not as nervous as I would be if I just came out here, it helped that I played the course last week…got some tips, the greens are super fast,” Rush said. “Feels like I played pretty solid, but you always want shots back.”
Entering Tuesday, Rush is now aware of her standings, but plans on keeping a cool and steady head on her shoulders.
“Yeah, I try not to stress, but you do get nervous, but just go out and have fun and play golf, and it’s better than working,” Rush said.
Watch: First Round Highlights
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