1977 U.S. Women’s Amateur: Beth Daniel wins at Cincinnati (Ohio) C.C.

Beth Daniel won the 1977 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Cincinnati (Ohio) C.C. in Cincinnati, Ohio, beating Cathy Sherk 3 & 1 in the final.

Updated October 22, 2026

Walk this draw in the U.S. Women’s Amateur room.

Edition: 77th
Dates: August 8, 1977 to August 13, 1977
Course: Cincinnati (Ohio) C.C., Cincinnati, Ohio
Format: stroke-play qualifying + match play
Champion: Beth Daniel · age 22 · United States
Champion's title: 2nd U.S. Women’s Amateur
Runner-up: Cathy Sherk · age 27
Final: 3 & 1
Losing semifinalists: Nancy Hager Hammer and Brenda Goldsmith
Stroke-play medalist: Mary Lawrence (72)
Defending champion: Donna Horton · did not play
Entries: 162

What happened at the 1977 U.S. Women’s Amateur

Cathy Sherk holed a 6-iron second shot for an eagle 2 on the 16th in the afternoon, but lost the 17th and the match when Beth Daniel holed from 14 feet.

Sherk beat Brenda Goldsmith, who played with a cracked rib, 9 and 8 in the semifinal, the largest 18-hole semifinal margin in championship history.

Final, Beth Daniel v. Cathy Sherk. Sherk squared the match on the afternoon 7th, Daniel birdied the 12th and 14th, Sherk holed a 6-iron for an eagle 2 on the 16th, and Daniel won the 17th with a 14-foot putt.

Semifinal, Cathy Sherk v. Brenda Goldsmith. Sherk, one under par, beat the injured Goldsmith 9 and 8, the record margin for an 18-hole semifinal.

The draw

Every match is recorded through the semifinal.

The final, 1977 U.S. Women’s Amateur

Winner		Beaten	Result
Beth Daniel	def.	Cathy Sherk	3 & 1

Semifinals, 1977 U.S. Women’s Amateur

Winner		Beaten	Result
Beth Daniel	def.	Nancy Hager Hammer	3 & 1
Cathy Sherk	def.	Brenda Goldsmith	9 & 8

How this was built

Every value is shown as recorded in GNN's U.S. Women’s Amateur data set (research collected through October 20, 2026). "unknown" means no source confirmed it; nothing is estimated. Where sources disagree, the USGA's own record is used.

Data: us-womens-amateur.json.