The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3 from UGA playing in Augusta tourney
ATHENS — Three Lady Bulldogs will represent UGA in the second annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur championship this week: Caterina Don, Candice Mahe’ and Isabella Holpfer. Each will drive down Magnolia Lane today with a different mindset.
■ Don is the grizzled vet. A sophomore, she played quite well in the inaugural event two years ago, finishing 12th overall. She would’ve played in it last year had the tournament not been canceled due to the pandemic. She wants to win this time.
■ Mahe’ is bursting with anticipation. A sophomore from France, Mahe’ (pronounced May) qualified for the event last year but was among the many rookies denied the opportunity because of the COVID-19 cancellation. She has counted the days to this week and has been meticulous in preparing for the moment.
■ Holpfer is the wideeyed rookie. A freshman from Austria, her first glimpse of the property will be when the players arrive at the Augusta National clubhouse for this evening’s dinner. Holpfer (pronounced HAUL-FER) is nervous, of course, but also highly confident as a decorated amateur.
All of them are throughthe-roof excited and appreciative of the opportunity to play a course that until very recently was reserved only for men. “It’s a great honor because Augusta National didn’t get their first female members until, like, 2012, and they only have four female members,” said Holpfer,
who clearly has done her research.
Said Don: “Augusta National is a beautiful place, full of history. You not only get to play, you get to go inside the clubhouse, have a dinner and experience almost what a pro does when they play (in the Masters). It’s a beautiful opportunity, a week full of emotions that you will keep in your heart forever. It’s definitely a story I’ll tell to my children.”
Their invitations are a point of pride for Georgia, the state university located 100 miles away. “We’re trying to find the best players in the world and trying to live up to all the expectations we have here at the University of Georgia,” coach Josh Brewer said. “You’re trying to find the right fit and these three young ladies not only fit us golf-wise but represent the school perfectly. We’re very fortunate.”
Georgia isn’t the most-represented school. That’s USC, which has six in the 85-player field. But Georgia is one of just eight programs with three or more players competing. And Don, a sophomore from Italy, is one of the favorites.
It’s an extremely competitive field that includes the reigning champions from the U.S. Women’s Amateur, the Ladies’ British Open Amateur, the Women’s Asia-pacific Amateur, the Girls’ British Open, the U.S. Girls’ Junior, the Girls Junior and previous ANWA winners. Also invited are the 30 highest-ranked U.S. amateurs from 2020 not otherwise qualified and the 30 highest-rated players from women’s world rankings.
A 54-hole, stroke-play tournament, the first 36 holes are played at Champions Retreat Golf Club nearby in Evans. The top 30 players make the cut and advance to the final 18-hole round on Saturday, which will be televised on NBC (12-3 p.m.).