Samantha Whateley (Carolinas Golf Association photo)

The Mississippi State sophomore from South Africa put on a sensational display at Cutter Creek Golf Club, firing a 6-under-par 66 to come from six shots behind and win the 76th North Carolina Women’s Amateur Championship by three. Her three-round total of 8-under 208 (71-71-66) not only secured the title but also earned her a coveted spot in the U.S. Women’s Amateur, scheduled for August 4–10 at the iconic Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon.

Heading into the final round, Whateley had her work cut out for her. She trailed 14-year-old Juno Taino of Pinehurst, NC, who had lit up the leaderboard with rounds of 66 and 70 to reach 8-under. But while Taino struggled to find her rhythm on the final day—stumbling to a 79—Whateley found her stride. Cool and composed, she rolled in seven birdies, with her only slip being a bogey on the 17th. She quickly recovered with a birdie at the last. Her 66 wasn’t just the lowest final round of the tournament—it was a statement. A calm, confident charge that turned a major deficit into a memorable victory.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a strong run in college golf at Mississippi State. This past season, she recorded her best collegiate finish—a T3 at the Chevron Collegiate—and posted five rounds in the 60s along with 11 at par or better, both personal bests. She also earned SEC Academic Honor Roll honors in her freshman year and became only the 15th freshman in program history to shoot a round in the 60s.

Before college, Whateley gained experience on both amateur and professional stages. In 2023, she claimed victory at the Cobra & Puma Ladies & Junior Championship and competed in the Investec South African Women’s Open on the Ladies European Tour. Though she missed the cut, the experience added valuable depth to her growing maturity as a competitor.

Tying for second at 5-under 211 were two future college standouts. Leah Edwards, who will join Western Kentucky University this fall, recorded rounds of 73-68-70. She was joined by Ellie Hildreth, a North Carolina State commit, who posted 69-73-69. Edwards has had a busy summer—just two weeks earlier, she qualified for the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and will compete at the Atlanta Athletic Club in July.

For Whateley, this victory is more than just a trophy—it’s a marker of her growth and proof that she belongs among the top amateur players. And come August at Bandon Dunes, she’ll have a bigger stage to show it.