VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. (July 12, 2007) – The Pinehurst Women’s North and South Amateur Championship has amassed its strongest field in recent history for its 105th running next week, with five of the top 10-ranked amateurs in the country entered in the field of 157. Qualifying stroke play rounds begin on Monday.
Among them are top-ranked amateur Stacy Lewis of Arkansas and Duke’s Amanda Blumenherst, the No.1-ranked college player and 6th ranked amateur. Blumenherst was one of four amateurs to make the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles three weeks ago. Completing the list are 2nd-ranked amateur Jennie Lee (low amateur in the U.S. Women’s Open, Duke), 4th ranked amateur Candace Schepperle, and 9th ranked Virginia Grimes.
Each will vie for one of 63 match play spots as defending champion Jenny Suh, the 22nd ranked amateur, assumes the #1 seed. Suh defeated Rachel Newren 5 & 4 in last year’s final 36-hole match.
Other notes include:
Joanna and Julie Saleeby: these sisters from Raleigh, N.C., are both N.C. State connected.
Five Australian competitors: That comes just two weeks after Aussie Aaron Pike recorded a hole-in-one and eagle in the Men’s North and South Amateur. Expect the down-under field to battle against the American stronghold.
4th ranked collegian Jacqui Concolino is Vanderbilt’s first to make the NCGA/Golfweek’s second-team All American as a freshman 15th ranked amateur Alison Walshe was a NCGA/Golfweek first-team All American this year, after moving from the defunct Tulane program to Arizona’s golf team.
Qualifying rounds begin on Monday and Tuesday on Pinehurst Nos. 2 and 8 courses, followed by match play rounds Wednesday – Sunday on No. 2, the Donald Ross layout celebrating its Centennial this year. The event is free to the public.
The complete field can be found at http://www.pinehurst.com/north-and-
south-womens.asp, as well as daily scores, pairing sheets and tee times.
The Women’s United North and South Amateur Championship began in 1903, and is one of the longest consecutive running amateur championships in the United States. It was first contested on Pinehurst No. 2, site of the 1999, 2005 and upcoming 2014 U.S. Open Championships, in 1907. Former champions of the Women’s North and South Amateur include Glenna Collett, Babe Zaharias, Peggy Kirk Bell, Carol Semple Thompson, Donna Andrews and Morgan Pressel.
Located in the North Carolina heartland, world-renowned Pinehurst Resort is a 2,000-acre property featuring spa, golf, tennis, family, events and leisure recreation. Built in 1895, it was recently awarded the 2014 U.S. Open Championship, the only site in modern history to be awarded three U.S. Opens in 15 years. It will host the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2008, the ninth USGA championship to be held at the historic resort.
Contact:
Janeen Driscoll, 910.235.8710
janeen.driscoll@pinehurst.com
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