By Alex Blumer
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A field of 65 hopefuls was whittled to 16 after Monday's stroke play qualifier at the 89th annual Women's Metropolitan Amateur Championship at Coldstream Country Club.

Today begins the match play portion of the tournament, with the eight winners in the championship flight advancing to Wednesday's quarterfinals.

Cathy Almquist began defense of her title with a 78, which tied her for the fourth-lowest score on the day. "I made a lot of good shots today, and some wild ones too," Almquist said.

But the low score belonged to Mary Ann Plunkett, who carded a 1-over-par 72 to earn the top seed for the beginning of match play.

Plunkett, who attended Highlands before spending three years at the David Leadbetter Junior Golf Academy in Florida, is coming off a win in the Florida Women's State Golf Association Amateur Championship in May.

Kim Keyer-Scott recovered from a bogey-bogey start to post a 74. "I thought my round was pretty good, especially since I woke up a little sick this morning and wasn't sure if I'd make it through the round," said Keyer-Scott, who has never advanced beyond the Met semifinals. "Hopefully, I can get past them this year."

Two-time champ Katie Rakel (2000, 2002) was third with a 77, one stroke better than Almquist and Jennifer Taylor.

Bernice Gallagher, a Coldstream member, shot a 79. Lori Sue Eberle also shot a 79 to tie Gallagher for sixth.

Two multiple champions, Janie Klare and Lynn Thompson, made the cut with 82s.

Klare drew Almquist today.

Championship flight

Today's matches (seed):
• Mary Ann Plunkett (1) vs. Candy Begnoche (16)
• Diane Calkins (8) vs. Meredith Niemeyer (9)
• Cathy Almquist (4) vs. Janie Klare (13)
• Jennifer Taylor (5) vs. Lynn Thompson (12)
• Kim Keyer-Scott (2) vs. Beth Kirkham (15)
• Lori Sue Eberle (7) vs. Carol Kitson (10)
• Katie Rakel (3) vs. Leslie Huesman (14)
• Bernice Gallagher (6) vs. Sara Nelson (11)

Men's, women's scores, click here.