The New Master's Womens Amateur Championship

BrianMcG · April 8, 2018

So only 30 players will qualify to play one round at Augusta on Saturday....so when will they have time to practice and figure out the course....there are a lot of nuances associated with Augusta...especially leading up to the conditions set up for the Masters one week later.

I assume most will want to employ a Masters caddie who understands the course...but what happens if the player doesn't like their caddie...some of these girls could be as young as 15 or 16. If they use a family member...they won't know anything about the course.

I assume they will play the member tees and the pins will be set in the easiest spots on the greens....but with minimal or no practice...this could get really ugly from a scoring perspective for the players and it will be televised.

And if indeed the 72 players are invited for a day to practice (cost will be a challenge for some of the poorer Am's) well prior, those conditions will be quite different vs. an Augusta course on the Saturday before the Masters is played.

So, if you have thought of all of this, don't you really think that the powers that be have thought of all this, as well as things you haven't thought of? I think they've got this.

I don’t know. Hosting a major championship probably pales in comparison to a women’s amateur event.

They just may be in way over their heads.

OldTomMorris · April 9, 2018

Good idea and I'm impressed with the efforts of ANGC to grow the game in recent times. Latin-American Amateur, Asian Amateur, Drive Chip & Putt and now this, its clear they see that they have an important role in the growth of the game and to their credit they are doing some very good things.

For the reasons above I think a women's pro event is unlikely not sure they see their role extending in the professional area of the sport.

Golf Dino · April 10, 2018

Good idea and I'm impressed with the efforts of ANGC to grow the game in recent times. Latin-American Amateur, Asian Amateur, Drive Chip & Putt and now this, its clear they see that they have an important role in the growth of the game and to their credit they are doing some very good things.

For the reasons above I think a women's pro event is unlikely not sure they see their role extending in the professional area of the sport.

I agree with your comments and observations. Also, I would add that I think that ANGC are focusing on growing the amateur game as that is the foundation for spreading golf all over the world. Professional players do not happen overnight so to speak. They spend years learning the game and developing their skills as junior players and the better ones then move onto a collegiate or competitive amateur career. It is usually from that pool that the professional players emerge from. Of course, there has been the odd teenage phenom that has jumped right into a professional career, but its usually the outlier and not the norm.

MichaelJScott · April 10, 2018

fine print:

tournament will be played entirely on par 3 course

BrianMcG · April 10, 2018

fine print:
tournament will be played entirely on par 3 course

I heard the winner would be the honorary "Cart Girl" for the Masters. Wow what a treat.

18majors · April 10, 2018

Good idea and I'm impressed with the efforts of ANGC to grow the game in recent times. Latin-American Amateur, Asian Amateur, Drive Chip & Putt and now this, its clear they see that they have an important role in the growth of the game and to their credit they are doing some very good things.

For the reasons above I think a women's pro event is unlikely not sure they see their role extending in the professional area of the sport.

I agree with your comments and observations. Also, I would add that I think that ANGC are focusing on growing the amateur game as that is the foundation for spreading golf all over the world. Professional players do not happen overnight so to speak. They spend years learning the game and developing their skills as junior players and the better ones then move onto a collegiate or competitive amateur career. It is usually from that pool that the professional players emerge from. Of course, there has been the odd teenage phenom that has jumped right into a professional career, but its usually the outlier and not the norm.

The devil is in the details. We need to hear more about it in the ensuing months.

OldTomMorris · April 13, 2018

Good idea and I'm impressed with the efforts of ANGC to grow the game in recent times. Latin-American Amateur, Asian Amateur, Drive Chip & Putt and now this, its clear they see that they have an important role in the growth of the game and to their credit they are doing some very good things.

For the reasons above I think a women's pro event is unlikely not sure they see their role extending in the professional area of the sport.

I agree with your comments and observations. Also, I would add that I think that ANGC are focusing on growing the amateur game as that is the foundation for spreading golf all over the world. Professional players do not happen overnight so to speak. They spend years learning the game and developing their skills as junior players and the better ones then move onto a collegiate or competitive amateur career. It is usually from that pool that the professional players emerge from. Of course, there has been the odd teenage phenom that has jumped right into a professional career, but its usually the outlier and not the norm.

The devil is in the details. We need to hear more about it in the ensuing months.

I don't believe there is anything being held back

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-2018-augusta-national-womens-amateur-championship-to-debut-in-2019

kopykat · October 16, 2018

bumping an old thread because I just got my notice that I won the lottery for tix to the final round. :) really looking forward to walking ANGC!

18majors · October 16, 2018

bumping an old thread because I just got my notice that I won the lottery for tix to the final round. :) really looking forward to walking ANGC!

Congratulations!

Almostscratchonce · October 16, 2018

Also was awarded 2 tickets to final round, and excited to attend.

18majors · October 16, 2018

Also was awarded 2 tickets to final round, and excited to attend.

The best way to tour Augusta National.

Almostscratchonce · October 16, 2018

Also was awarded 2 tickets to final round, and excited to attend.

The best way to tour Augusta National.

For sure, I've been several times. Seems to me that given the field-size that the number of tickets allocated would be a relatively small number, and hopefully a more laid-back/closer to the action setting.

fredogolfer · October 16, 2018

I got my email telling me I wasn't selected. Why? Why? Why? Sad. Congrats to thos who will go.

Yenamos · October 17, 2018

I’ve got selected for the final round, can’t wait.

kopykat · November 19, 2018

I got my email telling me I wasn't selected. Why? Why? Why? Sad. Congrats to thos who will go.

slight chance that I'll have something come up the same weekend and won't be able to attend. if that happens I'll let you know. :)

bobcat88 · January 22, 2019

I got my email telling me I wasn't selected. Why? Why? Why? Sad. Congrats to thos who will go.

slight chance that I'll have something come up the same weekend and won't be able to attend. if that happens I'll let you know. :)

So uhhh any chance something is coming up that weekend for you?? Can i get in line behind him?

Seamus_McDuff · January 22, 2019

Here’s the field

https://www.anwagolf.com/en_US/players/player_list.html

theboypinoy · January 23, 2019

Here’s the field

https://www.anwagolf...layer_list.html

Why do two of the ladies in the field not have pictures on the roster?

There are plenty around, just by Google alone

NaBUru38 · January 25, 2019

About half of the players are American, a third are European, and a third are Asians.

There's one player each from South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, two from Mexico, and one from Colombia.

North Texas · January 25, 2019

About half of the players are American, a third are European, and a third are Asians.

There's one player each from South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, two from Mexico, and one from Colombia.

Half, third, third?

Seamus_McDuff · January 25, 2019

Here’s how they were invited

Winners of six events

US Women’s Am

Women’s Amateur Championship

Women’ Amateur Asia-Pacific

Us Girls’ Junior

Girls Amateur Championship

Girls Junior PGA

60 players from Women’s WAGR

Top 30 from USA

Next 30 highest not already invited

Seamus_McDuff · January 25, 2019

No Albane Valenzuela

She’s 6th on WAGR, so was definitely invited

stansoph · January 29, 2019

I have a fear that “Amen Corner” will get changed to just “A Corner” on account there is “men” in the name.

4waymiss · February 6, 2019

Not sure when is the last time ANGC had been given the finger . But 4 of the top amateur girls just did, including the #2 and #3 .

https://golfweek.com/2019/02/04/four-top-amateurs-commit-to-ana-choosing-desert-over-augusta-national/

The ANGC, of course , did not consult the LPGA when they decided to stage this event in the same week as the ANA. Maybe they thought just the name "Augusta National" should be enough, or maybe they don't care if they get ALL of the top amateurs. But imagine the Masters without DJ , Rory and Phil.

BrianMcG · February 6, 2019

Not sure when is the last time ANGC had been given the finger . But 4 of the top amateur girls just did, including the #2 and #3 .

https://golfweek.com/2019/02/04/four-top-amateurs-commit-to-ana-choosing-desert-over-augusta-national/

The ANGC, of course , did not consult the LPGA when they decided to stage this event in the same week as the ANA. Maybe they thought just the name "Augusta National" should be enough, or maybe they don't care if they get ALL of the top amateurs. But imagine the Masters without DJ , Rory and Phil.

Why do you think the LPGA wasn't contacted. I've read multiple articles to the contrary.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2018/04/04/augusta-national-to-host-womens-amateur-tournament/33540077/

I've watched many Masters without DJ, Rory, and Phil. I've enjoyed all of them.

4waymiss · February 6, 2019

Not sure when is the last time ANGC had been given the finger . But 4 of the top amateur girls just did, including the #2 and #3 .

https://golfweek.com...gusta-national/

The ANGC, of course , did not consult the LPGA when they decided to stage this event in the same week as the ANA. Maybe they thought just the name "Augusta National" should be enough, or maybe they don't care if they get ALL of the top amateurs. But imagine the Masters without DJ , Rory and Phil.

Why do you think the LPGA wasn't contacted. I've read multiple articles to the contrary.

https://www.usatoday...ament/33540077/

I've watched many Masters without DJ, Rory, and Phil. I've enjoyed all of them.

If by "contacted" , you mean a courtesy call from Fred Riley, telling the LPGA we are doing this, you better figure the hell out what you want to do with your major ( and the amateur invites with it ) .

https://golfweek.com/2018/04/22/nichols-no-easy-answers-for-lpga-with-addition-of-augusta-national-womens-amateur/

LPGA commissioner Mike Whan found out about the new Augusta National Women’s Amateur not long before the rest of the world. That’s significant and disappointing in that it gave Whan less than a year to address a perplexing schedule conflict

I have enjoyed the Masters without DJ , Rory and Phil too, when they MC/injured/not qualified. It wouldn't be the same Masters if they actually turned down the invites. would it ?

BrianMcG · February 6, 2019

Not sure when is the last time ANGC had been given the finger . But 4 of the top amateur girls just did, including the #2 and #3 .

https://golfweek.com...gusta-national/

The ANGC, of course , did not consult the LPGA when they decided to stage this event in the same week as the ANA. Maybe they thought just the name "Augusta National" should be enough, or maybe they don't care if they get ALL of the top amateurs. But imagine the Masters without DJ , Rory and Phil.

Why do you think the LPGA wasn't contacted. I've read multiple articles to the contrary.

https://www.usatoday...ament/33540077/

I've watched many Masters without DJ, Rory, and Phil. I've enjoyed all of them.

If by "contacted" , you mean a courtesy call from Fred Riley, telling the LPGA we are doing this, you better figure the hell out what you want to do with your major ( and the amateur invites with it ) .

https://golfweek.com...womens-amateur/

LPGA commissioner Mike Whan found out about the new Augusta National Women’s Amateur not long before the rest of the world. That’s significant and disappointing in that it gave Whan less than a year to address a perplexing schedule conflict

I have enjoyed the Masters without DJ , Rory and Phil too, when they MC/injured/not qualified. It wouldn't be the same Masters if they actually turned down the invites. would it ?

Well, its really only an issue for six players. But it does suck that they have to make that choice.

But by the quote, are they inferring that the LPGA would have changed the date of the ANA?

Seamus_McDuff · February 6, 2019

I see no reason why they’d change the date. Only the final round at Augusta is on TV and it’s scheduled to end one hour before the ANA comes on. It’s on NBC, so they’ll probably promote the ANA on Golf Channel.

4waymiss · February 6, 2019

I see no reason why they’d change the date. Only the final round at Augusta is on TV and it’s scheduled to end one hour before the ANA comes on. It’s on NBC, so they’ll probably promote the ANA on Golf Channel.

It is not necessarily the broadcast window, but rather it's the media coverage and the attention of the public. It will no doubt attract tons of eyeballs in its first year. Many fans who think Lucy Li solves murder on TV are going to the event just to see Augusta National.

It will be interesting to see how the two event coexist in the long term. assuming they remain in the same week.

raynorfan1 · February 6, 2019

I think over time, it's a pretty clever construct to have a major women's amateur event play simultaneously with a major pro event. It's clunky in the first year, because a tiny fraction of players will have to make a choice. But going forward, they'll be able to plug the ANA as a field 'full' of past ANWA players/champions. Bring eyeballs to the game with the view of Augusta before the Masters...try to hold their attention for the LPGA.