CLEVELAND — Kent State University golfers Pimnipa Panthong and Michaela Finn have played on golf courses all over the world, but they never expected to hit a round at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
However, that is exactly what will happen, as they were selected to play in this weekend’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur Tournament, where after cuts, the final round will be played on the famed greens known for hosting The Masters every spring.
“It is a big tournament, and I’m very excited to play,” Panthong told WKYC.com. “I feel it’s an honor to play on such a beautiful golf course. Really excited. It’s just a big opportunity for me. I just think it’s very good for women’s golf.”
Finn added, “Even the invitation was high class. You felt pretty special when you got it, that’s for sure.”
The first 36 holes of the tournament will be contested over two days on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta today and tomorrow. Then, the entire field will play an official practice round at Augusta National on Friday, April 5.
The top 30 competitors over the first two rounds will compete for the championship on Augusta National on Saturday, April 6.
“I always watch The Masters every year,” Finn said. “It’s the best tournament of the year to watch, I believe, and it’s going to be fun to get an opportunity to play that course.”
Invitations were extended to winners of recognized events, including the U.S. Women’s Amateur, Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship, Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, U.S. Girls’ Junior Tournament, Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship and Girls Junior PGA Championship.
The rest of the field was determined by the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking system, and the winner will be given an invitation to the next five Augusta National Women’s Amateur tournaments, provided she remains an amateur.
“The whole tournament is just going to be about enjoying it, honestly, because there’s going to be so many great players, and it’s going to be a really nice golf course,” Finn said. “Yes, I will be enjoying every moment of the week, but at the same time, we’re there to compete against those players, too, so you’re focused.”
Following the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Tournament, Panthong and Finn will return to the Kent State golf team and begin pursuit of the Golden Flashes’ 21st consecutive Mid-American Conference championship, as well as spots in the NCAA Regionals and NCAA Championship.
Then, both standout golfers hope to parlay their experiences in unique events like this weekend’s competition into professional careers.
“My goal right now, we have 20 consecutive conference titles, and I want to continue doing that,” Panthong said. “I want to be a professional golfer in the LPGA.”
Finn added, “I’ve wanted to be an All-American in school, Academic, and my goal this year was to be an All-American as a player, too. After college, my dream is to play in the LPGA and basically play well enough to enjoy it every day.”
