Port Defeats Kraus in Final of 55th U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur at Wellesley Country Club

Press Release from the USGA
St. Louis resident wins her third Senior Womens’ Amateur and seventh USGA Championship

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Ellen Port is now one of the greatest USGA champions of all-time.

Port, 55, of St. Louis, won her seventh USGA championship on Thursday at Wellesley Country Club, defeating fellow 55-year-old Andrea Kraus, of Baltimore, 3 and 2, in the 18-hole final of the 55th U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship on the par-74, 6,049-yard Donald Ross layout.

It is Port’s third Senior Women’s Amateur title; she also won in 2012 and 2013, in addition to capturing four U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateurs, in 1995, 1996, 2000 and 2011.

With her seventh win, Port tied Anne Sander and World Golf Hall of Fame member Carol Semple Thompson. Among women, she trails only another Hall of Famer, JoAnne Gunderson Carner, who has captured eight USGA championships.

“Fantastic,” said Port. “It’s always great to win a USGA championship. You work so hard to get here and it’s just so special when you can finish it off.”

In addition to Carner, only Bob Jones (9), Tiger Woods (9) and Jack Nicklaus (8) have won more USGA championships than Port.

Port’s 7-1 record is the best winning percentage among females who have reached six or more USGA finals. Thompson is 7-3, Glenna Collett Vare is 6-2, and Carner is 6-3. On Wednesday night, Port received a text of encouragement from Thompson.

“It’s mind-boggling,” said Port. “I’m definitely not in that league. [Anne and Carol] are both good friends of mine. Carol drummed me the first time I played in an [amateur] event. She beat me 6 and 5 at the [Women’s] Western. She was a legend and we sat down and had lunch. I’ve learned a lot from her and respect her.

“It’s just a real honor.”

Port receives a gold medal and custody of the Senior Women’s Amateur trophy for one year. She also receives a 10-year exemption to the Senior Women’s Amateur, and exemptions into the 2017 and 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships. Kraus, who was competing in her first final in 26 USGA match-play appearances, receives a silver medal and a three-year Senior Women’s Amateur exemption. She also is exempt into next year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur.

[Ellen Port was the USA Captain at the 2014 Curtis Cup]