By Steve Derderian
sderderian@massgolf.org
CANTON, Massachusetts (September 16, 2026) – Bathed in sunshine for two picture-perfect late-summer days, Blue Hill Country Club looked every bit the gracious championship host. The scorecards told a far less hospitable story.
Averaging out to more than 5,800 yards over two days, with thick rough and hole locations tucked into narrow corners of its pristine greens, Blue Hill presented USGA-quality test rather than a shootout among the state’s top veterans competitors. Jayne Pardus (Boston Golf Club), only weeks removed from competing in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, said the course played every bit as long as the national championship setup. Across 36 holes, only two rounds broke 80 in the Championship Division.
The first belonged to Anna Morales (Sankaty Head Golf Club), whose opening 75 gave her a five-stroke lead and left Pardus eight shots back. After struggling to an 83, Pardus figured she had played her way out of the Massachusetts Women’s Senior Amateur Championship. However, the second sub-80 round belonged to her and produced a stirring reversal.
Pardus made five birdies and improved by nine strokes to post 2-over-par 74, turning an eight-shot deficit into a four-stroke victory. Her two-day total of 157 secured her first Mass Golf title and completed a remarkable 12-stroke swing atop the leaderboard.
“Obviously, a first is amazing,” Pardus said. “I struggled yesterday, so I really thought I kind of shot myself out of it.”
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Pardus’ comeback was not without a few jolts. She made one of her five birdies on the par-3 7th, then immediately gave both strokes back with a double bogey on No. 8. Rather than allowing the setback to undo her progress, she remained patient and began climbing again. Her husband, Dave, was alongside her for every read and decision, helping her evaluate each shot and offering a steady refrain from the bag: “Hang in there.”
A birdie on No. 14 started her closing push. She followed with a steady par at No. 15 and a nervy two-putt from the fringe on No. 16 before arriving at the par-5 18th with a one-stroke lead. After pulling her drive right, Pardus had approximately 207 yards remaining. Rather than laying back, she used a 5-wood get it just short of the false front, then finished the job with short chip and putt for birdie.
“I felt I let a couple get away today, but made some good birdies coming in and just kind of stayed with it,” Pardus said. “I’m super thrilled and honored to have my name on a trophy.”
The victory completed some unfinished business for Pardus, who came up just short of the title two years ago at Crestwood Country Club. It also reinforced the value of playing regularly at Boston Golf Club, where demanding lies, thick rough and firm championship conditions prepare her for tests like Blue Hill. And finally it was worthy prep for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, which begins in 10 days in Portland, Oregon.
“The golf course was strong, probably one of the strongest we’ve played in a long time,” Pardus said. “You had to hit some really good-quality golf shots.”
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Sally DeGan (LPGA Amateur Boston) experienced one final scare when her birdie attempt on No. 18 slid past the cup and continued down the slope, prompting an immediate “Oh, no.” The longtime Mass Golf volunteer had little reason to worry. After several years being the loudest supporter of her fellow competitors and, in her words, “just filling out the field,” DeGan found herself at the top as the Tournament Division champion.
“I’m a little overwhelmed,” DeGan said. “I’ve never done anything like this. It’s pretty exciting.”
DeGan’s round included birdies on the par-3 13th and 16th holes. On No. 16, she struck a 150-yard tee shot pure and converted the short putt after reminding herself it was all right if it did not fall.
That lighter mindset, and perhaps the straw hat she wore for both rounds, proved to be a winning combination. While it wasn’t exactly the same stylish realm as Hall of Famer Michelle McGann, it was sharp enough to help lead to a final scoreline of 78-81–159.
“This hat seems to be the key,” DeGan joked. “I put it on again today, and it’s all good.”
Michelle Morgan (Amherst Golf Club), the next closest won the Legends category (age 65+) in the Tournament Division, while Danielle Lee (Renaissance) finished 6th overall and was lead among the Legends in the Championship Division.
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