NORTON, Massachusetts — When 17-year-old Carys Fennessy walked off the green at the 18th hole near dusk on Friday at TPC Boston, it marked the end of her two-day stay at the FM Global Championship, her debut LPGA tournament as an amateur.
Most important to the Dover High School senior, there was a legion of fans, about 40-50 relatives and friends, there to congratulate her for her latest achievement in the game of golf. It was a big moment for the teenager who is the 2024 champion of the New England and New Hampshire women's amateur championships.
“(Seeing everyone) was more comforting than anything,” Fennessy said. “Some may call that pressure, but it was so good to see familiar faces and people you know will cheer you on no matter what happens. (Having them there) was a little bit of a relief.”
Fennessy carded a 5-over par 77 on Friday and had a two-day total of 11-over par 155, nine shots off the pace from making the cut and extending her stay another two days.
“It was so just cool to be here,” Fennessy said. “I met so many great people, and so many great golfers. I learned so much. This was such a cool experience, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. There is hope. I feel like I was right there.”
Fennessy earned a spot in the tournament after carding a winning score of 1-under 71 in Monday’s qualifier at TPC Boston. In Monday's qualifier, Fennessy bested an 11-player field, featuring nine professionals and one other amateur.
“(I got here Monday) thinking there was no way I was going to qualify, that definitely changed pretty fast,” Fennessy said. “It definitely was a long week, but it was such a great experience.
“I am definitely ready to have a little bit of a break, but this was a great end to the summer,” Fennessy said.
Professional gives assessment of Fennessy
One of Fennessy’s playing partners in her two days was Sophia Shubert, who shot a 1-over par 145 and made the cut.
“I think she (Fennessy) played great,” said Shubert. “I told her how impressed I am of her. She’s only 17. I was 21 when I played in my first LPGA tournament, and I remember how nervous I was. Being in high school, she has some guts to even come out and play the way she did. I know she didn’t play how she wanted to, but she has a great game, and it was awesome playing with her.”
Carys Fennessy shares experience with her dad
Matt Fennessy, Carys’ father, served as her caddie.
“I just didn’t want to make any mistakes,’ said Matt, Carys’ high school coach at Dover, choking back tears. "It was a fairy tale week. Qualifying for an LPGA event, it wasn’t even on our radar. I just didn’t want to let her down.”
Carys said her dad did a “great” job.
“There’s not too many tournaments where he gets to caddy for me because I play a lot of junior golf,” Carys said. “It was nice to have some support on the bag, and a voice that could calm me down when I needed.”
‘It takes a village’
Matt Fennessy raved about all the people who made the near two-hour trip to support Carys.
“You don’t get to where she is without a team of people supporting her, it takes a village, right,” Matt said. “In some way all the people here helped her along the way. It’s special for them. It was special for us. It was great to hear the roars.”
Carys Fennessy was very proud of her “big support system.”
“There were a lot of people here cheering me on, that was great to see,” Fennessy said. “I was so lucky I was able to qualify so close to home. All the people have been great, and it made the experience 10 times better.”
Taking time for kids
After her round was complete, a young girl approached Fennessy for an autograph, and then a boy asked for an autograph and a photo.
“That was neat to watch,” Matt said. “We used to come to this event when Carys was 4 or 5 years old, and throughout the years. She used to get autographs and golf balls. Now to be on the other side of it, it’s come full circle. It’s something you never think about. Again, it was a fairy tale.”
Two birdies highlight Fennessy's round
Fennessy had two birdies on the day, the first coming on the par-4 fourth hole, and the second on the par-3 eighth.
On the fourth hole, Fennessy second shot hit the top of the green and rolled down a hill, settling on the rough about 15 feet from the pin. Fennessy took out her wedge and chipped in for the birdie.
“It was a pretty cool shot,” Fennessy said. “Walking up to it, I had a feeling it was going to be pretty good. It was nice to see the ball go in the hole. My putting was a little rough today, sometimes you have to do what it takes to make some birdies.”
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Dover teen Carys Fennessy makes LPGA debut as amateur: 'It was just so cool to be here'
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