Numerically, the odds were stacked in favor of Coloradans at Thursday’s U.S. Women’s Amateur Sectional Qualifying at The Pinery Country Club in Parker.
Out of the original field of 32 golfers, there were 20 Coloradans entered, compared with two Canadians, a Korean and a Kansan.
But at the end of the day, those numbers meant little as the four U.S. Women’s Amateur berths went to the two Canadians, the Korean and the Kansan.
Actually, a Coloradan tied for the fourth-lowest score, but Shinwoo Lee of Aurora wasn’t at the club when a playoff for the final spot was going to take place. So with that, Lauren Falley of Topeka, Kan., who shot a 76 like Lee, earned the national berth.
“That’s not what I was expecting,” Falley said.
One of the Canadians, highly acclaimed Nicole Zhang, landed medalist honors with an even-par 72, while countrywoman Anna Young tied for second at 74 with Korean-born Jennifer Yang, a University of Washington golfer. Falley, an Oklahoma State golfer, shared fourth place with Lee but gained the final berth due to Lee’s absence come playoff time.
All four qualifiers punched their tickets to the Women’s Am, which will be played Aug. 6-12 in Cleveland. (The qualifiers are pictured above, from left, Falley, Yang, Young and Zhang.)
While Young, Yang and Falley qualified for their first U.S. Women’s Amateur, Zhang brought a little star power to Thursday’s qualifying tournament. This will not only be her third consecutive Women’s Am — she made match play two years ago — but she also competed in the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open immediately following her senior year of high school. She’s also played a couple of U.S. Girls’ Juniors.
“It’s definitely special (to go to USGA championships),” Zhang said. “I feel like they’re the best-run tournaments in the world. And I really enjoy traveling to the events. They always choose really great golf courses, and it’s fun to see all my friends again.”
Zhang was the top-ranked freshman in the country during her first and only season (2010-11) playing at Notre Dame, but after not competing last season, she’s transferred to Northwestern.
On Thursday, Zhang used a stellar start to carry her to medalist honors. With four birdies, she was 4 under par through 11 holes. But a double bogey and a couple of bogeys down the stretch left her at even par overall.
Yang likewise started fast — 2 under through four holes — while both Young and Falley finished with a flurry, playing the last four holes in 2 under.
While both Young and Yang are from out of state, this is the second time each has qualified in Colorado for a USGA championship. Last year, Young went to Valley Country Club to earn a spot in the U.S. Girls’ Junior. And last month, Yang went to Spring Valley Country Club to land a berth in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links, where she advanced to the final 16.
“It’s a really big deal” to make it to the U.S. Women’s Amateur, said Yang, whose brother Andy plays golf for the University of Denver. “It’s nice.”
Young, who is transferring from the University of Tulsa to the University of Florida, likewise is relishing her first trip to the Women’s Am.
“It will be awesome,” she said. “I’m super excited. Hopefully it will be one of many for the next couple of years. I’m really excited to go.”
For Falley, this is not only her first U.S. Women’s Amateur, but her first USGA championship of any sort.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said the 2008 Kansas 4A state high school champion. “I’ve been trying to qualify ever since I was little for the U.S. Girls’ and all that, so it’s kind of a chip off the shoulder finally to do it.”
U.S. Women’s Amateur Sectional Qualifying
At Par-72 Pinery CC in Parker
ADVANCE TO U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR
Nicole Zhang, Calgary, Canada – 33-39–72
Jennifer Yang, Seattle, Wash. – 35-39–74
Anna Young, Canada, Saskatchewan, Canada – 38-36–74
Lauren Falley, Topeka, Kan. – 39-37–76
ALTERNATES (In order)
Shinwoo Lee, Aurora, Colo. – 38-38–76
Samantha Stancato, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 38-39–77
FAILED TO QUALIFY
Calli Ringsby, Cherry Hills Village, Colo. – 38-39–77
Somin Lee, Denver, Colo. – 38-39–77
Amy Hodgkinson, Longmont, Colo. – 39-39–78
Juanita Rico, Laramie, Wyo. – 37-41–78
Allie Johnston, Castle Rock, Colo. – 37-42–79
Paige Crawford, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 38-41–79
Maggie Yuan, Draper – 39-40–79
Paige Spiranac, Colorado Springs, Colo. – 39-41–80
Marilyn Hardy, Houston, Texas – 40-40–80
Christina Spinzig, Evergreen, Colo. – 39-43–82
Kathleen Kershisnik, Highlands Ranch, Colo. – 42-40–82
Megan McCambridge, Boulder, Colo. – 43-39–82
Patricia Lee, Lone Tree, Colo. – 38-45–83
Kelly Moran, Boulder, Colo. – 40-43–83
Jessie Joachim, Hudson, Colo. – 42-42–84
Taylor Buck, Littleton, Colo. – 41-43–84
Anna Christenson, Denver, Colo. – 40-44–84
Dominique Dinallo, Pueblo, N.M. – 40-45–85
Jennifer Kempton, Littleton, Colo. – 43-43–86
Emily Woodard, Cheyenne, Wyo. – 45-47–92
Ryan Ashburn, Largo, Fla. – 47-46–93
Stacey Blunt, Federal Way, Wash. – 47-46–93
Kaylee Koeppen, Scottsbluff, Neb. – WD
Molly Dorans, Erie, Colo. – WD
Emily Talley, Boulder, Colo. – NS
Janet Moore, Greenwood Village, Colo. – WD
