Whateley Follows Up NC Women's Am Win with Victory at Carolinas Women's Amateur
Event: 99th Carolinas Women’s Amateur Championship
Host Site: The Cliffs at Keowee Falls, Salem, S.C.
Playing Dates: June 30-July 2, 2025
Social Media: @CGAgolf1909
Related: Championship Website | Scoring | History | Photos
By Damon Bennett, CGA Media Intern
SALEM, S.C. (July 3, 2025) – Just weeks after winning the North Carolina Women’s Amateur Championship at Cutter Creek, Samantha Whateley of Charlotte, N.C. claimed her second CGA Major title of the summer, capturing the 99th Carolinas Women’s Amateur Championship in a dramatic playoff at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls.
Before the final round, Whateley was tied for third at 1-under; two shots behind the Round 2 leaders. Sydney Roberts of Chesnee, S.C., shot a course record 65 in round two to jump 13 spots into a tie for the lead with Adrian Anderson of Murrells Inlet, S.C.
The fireworks began on the final three holes of the Championship on Wednesday, as both Roberts and Whateley recorded birdies on the 16th hole and Roberts recorded another birdie on the short par-3 17th hole to take back a one-shot lead.
On the par-5 18th hole, Roberts’ approach found a greenside bunker, while Whateley had a birdie putt on the green. Roberts couldn’t scramble and Whateley sunk the 8-foot birdie putt to shoot 71 and force a playoff with Roberts.
On the first playoff hole, Whateley again found herself with a short birdie putt for the win. She nailed it to earn her second win in as many months.
“I was just trying to play the same golf that I have been playing,” Whateley said. “I wanted to stay patient out there and enjoy my time with beautiful views.”
Whateley was one of only four players in the field to record two rounds under par. As a USGA Exemption Event, the winner of the Carolinas Women's Amateur receives exemption into the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, however, Whateley was already exempt from her win at the North Carolina Women’s Amateur Championship in June.
“This will be my first time playing the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and I’m really excited to play Bandon Dunes,” Whateley said.
Morgan Ketchum of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Kiera Bartholomew of Wake Forest, N.C., were close behind the leaders heading into the final round. Ketchum shot 2-under, 214 total and Bartholomew shot 1-under, 215 total to finish second and third place overall.
The Carolinas Golf Association would like to thank the staff at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls, especially General Manager Tommy Miller, Director of Golf Julian Bland, Director of Agronomy Jim Evans, and Senior Assistant Superintendent Phillip Powell for hosting the 99th Carolinas Women’s Amateur Championship.