Macy Pate of Winston-Salem, a rising sophomore at Wake Forest, followed up her medalist performance by winning her first-round pairing in match play at the Women’s North and South Amateur in 19 holes over Pepperdine University’s Lauren Gomez at Pinehurst No. 2.
Kayla Smith of Burlington, a University of North Carolina product, had an easier time, beating Mia Sessa of Augusta, Georgia, and Yale University 5-4. Smith shot 34 on the front nine to take a 5-up lead at the turn.
Pate (pictured) won medalist honors in qualifying with consecutive rounds of 70 for 4-under 140 at Nos. 2 and 8, one shot better than Elizabeth Rudisill of Charlotte, who plays for Vanderbilt University.
In Friday’s second round, Pate will play Avery Weed, who recently completed her freshman season at Mississippi State. Smith, who shot 71 at No. 2 and 77 at No. 8, will play Brooke Biermann of Michigan State.
