The Donna Delivers: Stars Shine Across Both Divisions on Day 1

Mary Grace Dunigan Shoots 68; bolstered by Eagle at the Par 4 Sixth to Take Lead in the Open Division

Round 1 of the 2025 Donna Andrews Invitational brought a mix of expected brilliance and a few surprising stumbles—proof once again that Boonsboro’s golf course doesn’t care how strong your résumé is.

Even with wind gusts and a brief rain delay, players took advantage of otherwise ideal conditions to deliver some of the finest women’s amateur golf you’ll see anywhere.

Leading the way was Mary Grace Dunigan, who fired a blistering 68 (-4) to top the leaderboard. The University of Delaware standout came into Boonsboro with several top three finishes, including a T12 last year at The Donna—but this time she found her groove early and didn’t let up. Her eagle 2 at the par four sixth paved the way for an opening nine 32. Dunnigan capped off her round with a birdie on 18 following back-to-back bogies at 16 and 17.

At -2 (70) are Lauren Slatton, Tennessee’s top-ranked junior and a U.S. Four-Ball semifinalist, and Carter Bransford, one of the youngest in the field, who showed poise well beyond her years. Both players lived up to their impressive junior careers and are in prime position heading into Friday.

Tied for fourth at -1 (71) are on-course analyst for NBC Sports/Golf Channel Emilia Doran—also a 2023 NCAA team Champion and runner-up at Augusta National Women’s Amateur—and Makayla Grubb, the 2023 VSGA Amateur Champion. Doran, on the shortlist of favorites heading into the tournament, validated the list, while Grubb matched the under-par score.

Other players delivering on expectations include Grace Ridenour (E, 72), the 2024 PKBGT Invitational winner, and Katherine Brictson, who continued her solid run of form from the Carolinas Women’s Amateur circuit.

Among the biggest surprises were the +5 rounds (77) posted by Caroline Craig, a 2024 Big Ten Champion and past US Women’s Four-Ball record holder, and Katie Vu, the 2023 Virginia High School state champion. Each entered as a player to watch—and both hope Round 2 brings a reset.

Jackie Rogowicz, a past Donna Champion and perennial contender, opened with a 79 (+7), while Skylar Sload and Sydney Hackett, both proven D-I talents, settled for 74s (+2). Rogowicz tripled hole number three while posting her lone birdie on 18.

The leaderboard stays packed: 25 players sit at +4 or better, and conditions are expected to be calm Friday morning. That opens the stage for names like Bella Bugg, Carol Pyon, or Jenna Madden, all within striking distance.

And then there’s the youth movement—Kennedy MacCleery, 14, struggled to an 81 but earned praise for her composure. MacCleery triple bogied a relatively benign par 5 third hole and bogied the next two before finishing the remaining thirteen holes at three over par. Ella Yokota, another young standout headed to Wake Forest, also posted an 81.

⛳ Open Division Round 2 Tee Time Spotlight

1:20 PM

Mary Grace Dunigan (68, -4) – The University of Delaware standout carded the low round of the day.

Lauren Slatton (70, -2) – The UAB freshman and reigning TSSAA state champ is showing why she’s Tennessee’s top junior.

Carter Bransford (70, -2) – Just 17, the Glen Allen, VA native delivered a 70.

1:10 PM

Emilia Doran (71, -1) – The former Wake Forest star and Golf Channel on-course analyst is one of the most decorated players in the field. Her round on Thursday was no surprise.

Makayla Grubb (71, -1) – The 2023 VSGA Amateur is right in the mix.

Katherine Brictson (72, E) – The UNC Greensboro sophomore and Donna returnee carded a solid opening round.

12:55 PM

Grace Ridenour (72, E) – Just 18 and committed to UNC, Ridenour’s early victories in 2024 show she’s one of the game's rising stars.

Kerri-Anne Cook (72, E) – The reigning Mountain East Player of the Year and history-making WVSSAC champion brought her game Thursday to Boonsboro.

Carol Pyon (73, +1) – A two-time Brickyard Collegiate Champion.

Brenda Corrie Kuehn Leads Senior Division by Two After Opening Round 72 at The Donna

Senior Division Leader Cards 5 Birdies on the Day

The opening round of the 2025 Donna Andrews Invitational Senior Division lived up to expectations, with seasoned champions battling at Boonsboro Country Club. In a field stacked with USGA qualifiers, state champions, and past Donna champions, it was Brenda Corrie Kuehn who stood tallest on Thursday.

The 60-year-old Asheville, N.C., standout—already considered one of the tournament’s most decorated players—delivered a steady, even-par 72 to grab the solo lead. The even par round included five birdies on the day including three on difficult holes 4,11 and 18.  A multi-time USGA qualifier, WAGR-ranked player, and past state champion, Kuehn takes a two-shot lead going into Friday’s round.

Just two strokes back in a three-way tie for second are Kimbra Benson, Toni Notaro, and Suzi Spotleson at +2 (74). Spotleson, a past Donna Champion fired a pair of 37’s at Boonsboro. Notaro and Benson both finished the day by playing the last twelve holes, even par after starting 2 over after 6 holes. These two Pinehurst players flew under my tournament preview and are both firmly in the hunt. Benson, a Pinehurst veteran is a USGA Senior Women’s Amateur qualifier, including years of experience in North Carolina’s competitive amateur circuit. Notaro has elite amateur credentials, Notaro is the 2024 Pinehurst Club Champion and 2023 PGA Club Championship winner. Her resume includes back-to-back top finishes at Pinehurst and a co-club championship title in 2023

Anna Schultz, the 2007 USGA Senior Women’s Champion and a fixture in national events, carded a 75 (+3) and sits in solo fifth.

Among the other names inside the Top 10: Denise Callahan posted a 77 (+5), while DeAnne Stolarik and Hui Chong Dofflemyer came in at 78 (+6). Dofflemyer, notably, finished top five in a previous Donna.

A cluster of talented players sits at +7, including Amy Phelan, who reached the final four in the 2024 Virginia Senior Amateur and previously won state titles in both Virginia and Maryland. She is joined by Patty Moore, a USGA Open qualifier, and Ronda Henderson.

⛳ Senior Division Round 2 Tee Time Spotlight

 8:00 AM – Denise Callahan, Bonnie Fry, Maggie Brady

8:20 AM – Brenda Corrie Kuehn, Shawn McCullough, Shirley Vaughn

8:30 AM – Ronda Henderson, Anna Schultz, Lora Fioretti

8:55 AM – Kristin Shifflett, Judy Penman, Kimbra Benson

9:15 AM – Toni Notaro,  Jewell Malick, Cindy Hollingshead

9:25 AM – Suzi Spotleson, Kay Daniel, Hui Chong Dofflemyer