Natalie Sheary of West Hartford cruised to an 8-shot victory Wednesday in the 12th Connecticut Women's Open championship at Wethersfield Country Club.
Sheary, 21, had a 6-shot lead after her opening round of 5-under 67 Tuesday. Jean Bartholomew, a former LPGA Tour player, cut the deficit to three during the front nine Wednesday, but Sheary, who will be a senior at Wake Forest University in the fall, righted herself with four birdies over her final 12 holes.
She now trails her friend, Liz Janangelo, by four titles. Janangelo, also a West Hartford resident who is competing on the LPGA Tour this year, is the only four-time winner of the event, winning four straight (2003-06).

Speaking of Janangelo, she qualifed for the U.S. Women's Open Tuesday, playing her 36-hole sectional qualifier at Twin Hills CC in Longmeadow, Mass.

Connecticut State Golf Association officials called play for the day at 5:35 p.m. with three groups left on the course in the opening round of the Connectiocut Women's Open at Wethersfield Country Club.

The last group is on the 17th hole. All three groups will resume the first round Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. The second round will begin at 8 a.m. The leaders should tee off shortly after the noon hour.

Natalie Sheary currently holds a six-shot lead.

Natalie Sheary of West Hartford fired a 5-under-par 67 and currently holds a 6-shot lead over the field during the first round of the Connecticut Women's Open being held at Wethersfield Country Club.

Sheary is currently battling symptom-induced asthma, a side affect of having a sinus infection that went undiagnosed for months, according to Sheary, who will be a senior at Wake Forest University in the fall.


Jean Bartholomew is currently second with a 73. The first round is being delayed for the second time by thunderstorms with four groups left on the golf course.

The course known as the Great River Golf Club opened in 2001. It has not gotten any easier.

In Thursday's edition of the Register, we take a look at the course and the Tom Rosati Golf Academy, one of the top learning facilities in the area.
Average Joe also tees it up with Rosati at the picturesque 11th hole, a daunting 196-yard par-3. You can see how we both played the hole at our website, www.nhregister.com.

The website will also feature a brief lesson from Rosati on how to hit the driver properly.