The IX: Golf Thursday with Carly Grenfell, March 28, 2019
By The IX Team
Inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur—Interview with ANWA invitees—must-click links in women's golf
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Augusta National Women’s Amateur
This year will mark the first edition of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) and it’s going to be awesome.
Long known for being a male-only club, this will mark the first-ever women’s amateur event at Augusta, golf’s grandest stage. I will be in town starting Friday, April 5 for the National Drive, Chip and Putt competition and am hoping to experience this event where time allows. Competition begins on April 3 and concludes on Saturday, April 6.
A total of 72 amateurs have been invited and, no matter the outcome, will all be part of a really important day in women’s golf. The coverage is amping up around the ANWA, so be sure to check out and follow their Twitter handle to stay up-to-date on all the action. Hear from a couple of the golfers set to compete in the ANWA down below!
This Week in Women’s Golf
Reminder: First, the underlined words are the links. Second. CLICK these, even if you’ve already read them. Clicks = Attention from editors, producers and webmasters. Third, if you want to push out stuff you’ve written or read, email me! carlygrenfell@gmail.com
A bobcat ran right behind an LPGA player at the Founders Cup and she had no idea.
Shirley Spork, one of the LPGA founders, reflects on her early career.
There’s a new highest-ranked American in women’s golf—above Lexi Thompson.
LPGA’s ‘Drive On’ campaign is about more than golf.
The World No. 1 golfer has a loyal and unique fan club that follows her around.
Jin Young Ko rallies to win the LPGA Founders Cup.
This LPGA rookie is turning heads with her swing and power.
Next up on the LPGA Tour: the Kia Classic! Pairings and tee times are here.
Take a look at the updated (as of March 26) Rolex World Rankings.
The 2019 ANA Inspiration may have the strongest field yet.
The Symetra Tour’s Alana Uriell is excited for the Kia Classic in her home town.
This UNCW alumna is preparing for her LPGA debut this week.
Even Steph Curry is pumped for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur next week.
Tweet of the Week
Five at The IX: Sierra Brooks and Maria Fassi
Sierra Brooks and Maria Fassi, two of the golfers set to compete at the first annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur, have had a busy week! They, along with Hall-of-Famer Nancy Lopez, visited the TODAY Show, CNBC and the New York Stock Exchange to build up the excitement before action tees off next week on April 3. You can find the full interview here.
Q. What does it feel like to be able to be some of the first ladies to ever play in a tournament at Augusta?
Brooks: It’s so exciting and I think just a dream that’s become reality for all of us.
Q. How did the invites go out? Who is going to be there?
Fassi: There were certain things you had to have, like World Amateur Ranking, collegiate golf and I know the US has a certain amount of players in the tournament. It’s basically the to 72 players in the world.
Q. And at Augusta at this historic course—what does that mean to you to play there?
Brooks: It means so much. Like I said before, it’s always been a dream, and to be a part of history, and just this historic moment, it’s even more special.
Q: You’ve watched the Masters on TV. Did you ever dream that you’d actually get to play on the course?
Fassi: Well I never thought I’d get to compete there; I don’t think it was in any of our heads. Now that we actually have the chance to not only play the practice round, but also play the competition, it’s going to be unreal and I’m super excited for it.
Q: What is it about that course that makes it so special?
Brooks: I just think it’s the historic moments with all the past players and champions and the green jacket and everything leading up, it’s the biggest week in golf. And now just for women to have a chance to compete there, it’s going to really inspire the next generation.
