Golf Championship Comes to Scotch Plains

The three-day 99^th annual Women's Eastern Amateur Golf Championships opened Tuesday at Shackamaxon Golf and Country Club in Scotch Plains.

The tournament runs through Thursday with some of the best collegiate players in the country, and others who carry years of experience.

Massachusetts native Brittany Altomire, who just finished her freshman year at the University of Virginia, is the first-round leader. She shot a two-under 70 for her first 18 holes. Vanderbilt's Marina Alex, who hails from North Jersey, is second with a one-under 71. Alex is a graduate of Wayne Hills High School. Claire Sheldon, of Milton, Mass., is three shots off the lead.

The 54-hole tournament resumes today at 8 a.m.

Lauren Varnas, of Madison Borough, shot an 83. She plays out of Somerset Hills Country Club. Karen Cash, of Allendale, shot an 84.

"We have a mix of up-and-coming players and been at the top amateurs,'' said Carol Haas, a spokeswoman for the event. "Our youngest player is 14, but over half of the players are in college. We also have a player who is a professor of chemistry at Harvard (Cynthia Friend).'' Friend, who hails from Lexington, Mass., shot an 89.

The tournament was first held in 1906 at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, New York. For more information, visit WomensEastern.org.