Mrs. Mark A. Porter

Mrs. Mark A. Porter, 56, of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, won her second Senior Women's Amateur with a 54-hole score of 236, five over par, at the Sea Island Golf Club, in Sea Island, Georgia. Mrs. Porter had rounds of 81-80-75.

Mrs. Cecile Maclaurin, the 1976 Champion, was the runner-up for the third consecutive year, with a 237 total. Mrs. Albert Bower, the 1975 Champion, finished third at 239. Defending Champion Mrs. Paul Dye, Jr. was 12th, at 246.

Mrs. Maclaurin led the first round with 78, one over par. At 79 were Mrs. Lois Hodge, Mrs. Nancy Black, and Mrs. Kathryn Salley. Mrs. Bower was alone at 80. Mrs. Porter was in a group of eight players at 81. Mrs. Dye was at 82. On the second day, Mrs. Betty Probasco, playing in her first Senior Women's Amateur, took the lead with an even par 77 for a total of 158.

Mrs. John Germain, also with 77, was one stroke back at 159. Mrs. Maclaurin slipped to an 82 and a share of third place with Mrs. Mildred Stanley at 160, two strokes behind Mrs. Probasco. Mrs. Porter had an 80 for a 161 total.

After nine holes of the final round, Mrs. Porter had a score of 37 and stood one stroke ahead of Mrs. Probasco and two strokes ahead of Mrs. Maclaurin, Mrs. Bower, Mrs. Germain, Mrs. Hodge, and Mrs. Louise Wilson.

Mrs. Potter made three birdies on the final nine, and after 16 holes she was three strokes ahead of Mrs. Maclaurin. Mrs. Maclaurin picked up two strokes in the last two holes with a par and a birdie.

In the age group competition, Group I was won by Mrs. Maclaurin (237); Group 2 by Mrs. Porter (236); Group 3 by Mrs. Ruth Miller (253); and Group 4 by Mrs. Ann Gregory (245). Mrs. Gregory, the 1971 runner-up at Sea Island, not only won her age group by 19 strokes but she finished in a tie for ninth place in the overall Championship.

A record 186 entries were accepted, surpassing the previous mark of 161 in 1976.