Women golfers gathered at the tee on holes one and 10 at the Springfield Country Club On the last day of April 2019. They were all trying to make the cut to play in the Ladies Pro Golf Association tour. The LPGA is a big tournament for this local country club. It is also an opportunity for young women hoping to make it as a professional golfer.
According to Springfield Connection, “This is an avenue for them,” said Jennifer Cox, who was caddying for her daughter Carley, a 22-year-old from North Carolina. “She’s chasing her dream,” she said. Before Elizabeth Coffren got up to the tee, she used her routine to calm the nerves. “I kind of zone out, I throw the ball in the air to distract me,” she said.
Then there was Melanie Walker, a freshman at Robinson Secondary School that was younger than most of the others but hit her first shot down the right side of the fairway just before the creek about the same distance as the others. She’s a member of the country club but plays other courses too. “I like Burke Lake,” she said. She was out there with fellow Robinson student Alexandra Austin. Ashley Au is a senior in high school in Columbus, Ohio, and plans on playing in college next year too. Before teeing off at the event, she was in good spirits. “Do my best and see what happens,” she said".
About 50 players participated in the U.S. Women’s Open Qualifying round. It is a major step in LPGA, and a credit to have at a local course.
“Springfield has hosted a U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship qualifier in recent years and was a natural club for us to ask to host this event,” said Chris Lang of the Virginia State Golf Association.
As per Springfield Connection, "There were several threesomes teeing off all day. There were hooks, slices, and putts from across the greens, but at the end of the day, the winners were Amanda Hollandsworth and Karoline Stormo who are the qualifiers to join the LPGA. Anita Uwadia is the first alternate. Allie Knight is the second alternate".
Maryam
View posts by MaryamMaryam N. is a Senior Writer at Nesbitt Realty. She is an expert on Fairfax County. Maryam has also worked previously as a geologist. She is a foodie and enjoys cooking and exploring new restaurants.