Augusta National Women's Amateur Explained

Augusta National
Women's Amateur
Location:Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Establishment:2019
Course:Augusta National Golf Club
(final round)
Champions Retreat Golf Club
(first 36 holes, in Evans)
(Island & Bluff nines)
Par:72
Org:Augusta National Golf Club
Format:Stroke play – 54 holes
Month Played:April
Aggregate:206 Jennifer Kupcho (2019)
To-Par:−10 as above
Current Champion: Lottie Woad

The Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA) is a golf tournament in Georgia, held at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta and Champions Retreat Golf Club in nearby Evans. stroke play event debuted

The tournament is split between the two venues, with Champions Retreat hosting the opening rounds on Wednesday and Thursday with a field size of 72 players on the Island and Bluff nines.[1] The field is cut to the top 30 players (with a playoff for the last spots if necessary) for the final round Saturday at Augusta National. A practice round is played on Friday at Augusta National with the full field. The tournament is held on the week directly preceding the Masters Tournament.[2]

The winner of the tournament receives invitations to the next five ANWAs, that year's U.S. Women's Open and Women's British Open, and any USGA, R&A, and PGA of America amateur events for which she is otherwise eligible prior to the next ANWA – all providing she remains an amateur.[2]

Background

Until 2012, Augusta National refused to formally admit women as members. Before the 2012 Masters Tournament, then-chairman William Porter Payne cited that in 2011, more than 15% of the non-tournament rounds were played by female players who were member guests or spouses of active members.[3] [4] On August 20, 2012, Augusta National admitted Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore as its first female members.[5] [6]

Prior to the 2018 Masters Tournament, new Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley announced on April 4 that the club would host the Augusta National Women's Amateur beginning in 2019. He stated that holding such an event at Augusta National would have the "greatest impact" on women's golf.

Concerns were raised that the event would conflict with the LPGA Tour's first major, the ANA Inspiration (which has invited top amateur players to compete), Ridley stated that he had discussed the event with commissioner Mike Whan, and stated that he agreed on the notion that any move to bolster the prominence of women's golf would be a "win" for the LPGA over time.[7] [8] In 2021, as part of a new sponsorship agreement with Chevron Corporation, the ANA Inspiration was renamed The Chevron Championship, and was relocated to The Woodlands, Texas with a new, later scheduling beginning 2023.[9] [10]

History

The inaugural tournament in 2019 was highlighted by a final round duel between eventual winner Jennifer Kupcho and María Fassi. Kupcho pulled away from Fassi by going five-under over the final six holes, winning by four strokes with a score of -10. Kupcho's back-nine performance included an eagle on the thirteenth hole. As with those who score an eagle during the Masters proper, Kupcho received a pair of inscribed crystal glasses for her achievement.[11] [12]

The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic (which caused the 2020 Masters Tournament to likewise be rescheduled to November). All players invited to the tournament were invited back for 2021, provided that they were still an amateur at the time of the tournament.[13] [14]

Courses

Champions Retreat Golf Club

See main article: Champions Retreat Golf Club.

HoleYardsParHoleYardsPar
13854103854
23904111503
34855123754
44104133754
53854145155
61553153254
73254163904
81603171753
94755185005
Out3,17036In3,19036
[15] Total6,36072

Augusta National Golf Club

See main article: Augusta National Golf Club.

HoleNameYardsParHoleNameYardsPar
1Tea Olive365410Camellia4504
2Pink Dogwood515511White Dogwood4004
3Flowering Peach340412Golden Bell1453
4Flowering Crab Apple170313Azalea4555
5Magnolia400414Chinese Fir3804
6Juniper165315Firethorn4755
7Pampas330416Redbud1453
8Yellow Jasmine480517Nandina3704
9Carolina Cherry395418Holly3854
Out3,16036In3,20536
Total6,36572

Winners

Year Dates Champion Winning score To par Margin
of victory
Runner(s)-up
Apr 6 68-71-69=208 −8 1 stroke Bailey Shoemaker
Apr 1 66-65-76=207 −9 Playoff Jenny Bae
Apr 2 70-76-69=215 −1 1 stroke Ingrid Lindblad
Latanna Stone
Apr 3 73-72-72=217 +1 Playoff Emilia Migliaccio
Cancelled
Apr 6 68-71-67=206 −10 4 strokes María Fassi

Media coverage

The final round of the tournament is televised by NBC.[2] [16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Augusta National Women's Amateur . Champions Retreat Golf Club . 2019 . April 6, 2019.
  2. Web site: Augusta National Women's Amateur Fact Sheet . Augusta National Women's Amateur . April 4, 2019.
  3. News: Hiltzik . Michael . Augusta National's woman problem . Los Angeles Times . March 31, 2012 . December 3, 2012.
  4. News: Augusta Chairman Billy Payne refused to comment on female memberships . Golf.com . April 4, 2012 . December 3, 2012.
  5. News: Augusta National admits two women, including Condoleezza Rice . . August 20, 2012 . December 3, 2012.
  6. Shipnuck . Alan . Taking on The Times . . April 6, 2004 . December 3, 2012.
  7. Masters 2018: Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship to debut in 2019 . Herrington . Ryan . Golf Digest . April 4, 2018 . 2018-04-08.
  8. News: Six players, including Arizona's Yu-Sang Hou, complete Augusta National Women's Amateur field . Golf Channel . 2019-02-03 . Brentley . Romine . January 28, 2019 . mdy-all.
  9. Levins . Keely . October 5, 2021 . LPGA Tour making major changes to year's first major, with new name, purse, course and sponsor . October 7, 2021 . Golf Digest.
  10. News: Murray . Ewan . October 5, 2021 . Women's golf major gains sponsor and bigger purse amid venue uncertainty . October 7, 2021 . The Guardian.
  11. Web site: Beall . Joel . 2019-10-10 . A Masters tradition was extended to Augusta National Women’s Amateur champ Jennifer Kupcho . 2022-04-05 . Golf Digest.
  12. Web site: Scott . Roxanna . 10 October 2019 . Cool Masters tradition extends to Jennifer Kupcho months after ANWA win . Golfweek . en . 7 April 2020.
  13. Web site: 2020 Augusta National Women's Amateur Canceled . anwagolf.com . 7 April 2020 . 6 April 2020.
  14. Web site: Zak . Sean . 2020 Augusta National Women's Amateur canceled . Golf.com . 7 April 2020 . 6 April 2020.
  15. News: The courses: Augusta National. Augusta National Women's Amateur . 2019 . 10 April 2024.
  16. News: NBC to broadcast inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur . Ryan . Lavner . Golf Channel . September 12, 2018 . February 6, 2019.