Angelina Tolentino Wins 2024 Donna Andrews Invitational

Vanderbilt Signee Shoots 69 to win by one over Becca DiNunzio (Final Results Here)

When you meet rising college freshman Angelina Tolentino, "intimidating" may not be the first word that comes to mind. Her petite stature, incredibly polite and youthful personality, and braces on her teeth give you the impression of a genuinely nice young lady. Her appearance is anything but imposing.

However, "intimidating" and "imposing" are exactly what you see when she hits golf shots. One of many examples are her 270-yard drive on hole 16 at Boonsboro Country Club on Tuesday leaving her with a six-iron approach shot from 180 yards on the par 5.

During the final round of the 2024 Donna Andrews Invitational on Tuesday, it often seemed like she was playing a different course than her competition. Tolentino often hit approach shots with short irons and wedges into greens, while others needed longer irons and even hybrids. Local Boonsboro member and Tolentino's caddie, Mac McWane, noted “she was last to hit approach shots all three rounds.” Meaning that the golfer hitting the longest tee shots hits the last approach shot, leaving the other two further away to hit first.

About Tuesday’s final round Mac McWane, noted, "She was consistently long all day. On number 8 her tee shot left her within 80 yards of the green. She hit a three-wood on hole #11 to the bottom of the hill past the cart path, leaving her a pitching wedge in. She then nearly drove #12 with a three-wood at approximately 260 yards." By scorecard yardage calculations, these tee shots ranged from 250 yard three woods to 300-yard driver--her length was “intimidating and imposing”.

This incredibly skilled golfer, who will be taking her golf talent from New Jersey to Vanderbilt University this fall, shot rounds of 70, 73, and 69 to finish 4-under par and claim a one-shot victory over perennial favorite Becca DiNunzio.

When asked about the secret to her impressive length, Tolentino commented, "I started working on speed drills, cardio, and heavy weights over the winter, and it has really helped me." Earlier this year, Tolentino’s high school coach, Andre Lopez of Lenape Regional High School, told NJ.com, "Angelina is the essence of the saying ‘hard work pays off.’ Nobody works harder at her craft than Angelina. She has sacrificed so much to get where she is and to earn all of the accolades she has to this point in her career."

McWane echoed these sentiments, saying, "I thought she showed incredible maturity and poise throughout the entire tournament. She made very few mistakes but kept a great attitude whenever she faltered. She was methodical around the course, always sticking to her routine. She had a practice routine before each round and stayed after her round Monday to work on what she felt was lacking that day."

At one point during the final round, it looked as if Tolentino would cruise to victory, but her three-shot lead shrunk to one when she three-putted hole 17 for bogey while defending champion Becca DiNunzio birdied hole 16 for a two-shot swing. After Tolentino, who was playing one group ahead of DiNunzio, parred 18, Becca needed a birdie on either 17 or 18 to force a playoff. However, after parring both holes, Angelina Tolentino was crowned 2024 Donna Andrews Invitational champion.

Becca DiNunzio has Boonsboro's "Number"

In four years of playing in “The Donna” Norfolk, VA native and former Virginia Tech star Becca DiNunzio has one victory and three runners up finishes. When asked why she thinks she performs so well in this tournament, Becca went on to say, “that’s a good question, I really like the course, I like the people here, I obviously play well and have a good feeling being here” It also has a lot to do with Becca DiNunzio’s golf game. She was an all-ACC Academic golfer at Virginia Tech, 2021 Virginia Womens Amateur Champion and has played 216 holes at Boonsboro in -17 under par. Becca shot -2 70 in the final round Tuesday.

Suzi Spotleson Cruises to Senior Division Win

Suzi Spotleson shot 2-under par on Tuesday to take the senior division by six shots over Kay Daniel, who shot a 1-under 71. Spotleson carded four birdies and two bogeys in her round.

Born and raised in Ohio, Suzi Spotleson is arguably the most diverse athlete in the field. In high school, she turned down a basketball scholarship to play college softball, where she appeared in the College World Series for Northwestern. When asked if those sports transferred any skills to her success on the golf course, Spotleson had an interesting take. She said, “Drowning out the taunting and trash talking in those sports (Basketball and Softball) helps me drown out any negative thoughts that may try to creep in on the course.” It appears to be working.

Corey Wesorski had the low round of the day with six birdies leading her to a 4-under par 68, while Hui Chong Dofflemyer shot a 69, which included an eagle on the difficult hole #11.

As the 2024 Donna Andrews Invitational Wraps Up, there May be an Unsuspecting Star

For every moment of the three-day tournament, Donna Andrews was praising and thanking nearly everyone involved in the tournament. From tournament chairperson Steve Washburn and the entire Boonsboro team to volunteers, players, and caddies she tastefully didn’t miss a beat in thanking and praising everyone involved in the tournament.

One could only imagine if this tournament could have started and sustained without the draw of someone like Donna Andrews. Having Virginias all time highest ranked female golfer with an LPGA major championship who happened to grow up (and reside in a Mid-Atlantic state) on Boonsboro Country Club as the tournament host attracts players in both Open and Senior Divisions.

But there may be an unsuspecting star within the ranks. This person works year-round on the tournament, helps oversee many key assignments, is present throughout the event and hand painted The Donna logo on every single one of the eighteen flags. She jested, “It took me all winter, and I’m not doing it again.” This unsuspecting star is none other than Helen Andrews, Donna’s mother. It’s fitting to say that without Helen, Donna wouldn’t be here—both on and off the golf course.