Wayne Hills grad returns home for U.S. Women’s Open
If you know who shows at the 72nd U.S. Women’s Open, then this major national sporting event will turn political.
Right now, it’s cool temperatures and calm attitudes as everyone seems copacetic in preparation for a wild week that will offer a competitive showing of golf skills by 156 superb female athletes.
Day 1 at you know whose National Golf Club in beautiful Bedminster began with cloudy skies and hints of sunshine.
This rolling thunderlike golf course may be owned by you know who. His name appears on a clock near a putting green and tags a clubhouse canopy.
Oops. Missed his name there on all the Lexus cars being driven by U.S. Women’s Open contestants.
A couple of volunteers mentioned that Mr. Nobody has flown onto the premises in the past via his presidential helicopter.
Nuj Fungladda, a pharmaceutical ancillary supply coordinator for Merck, said she debated attending.
“Didn’t make up my mind until last week,” she said. “I’m not fond of (him) but I love women’s golf. I want to see these women succeed, make more money and have more time on television. They deserve it.”
Fungladda, an Audubon, Pa., resident, said she could not promise civility if the course owner appeared.
“Not sure what I would do but it probably would not be nice,” she joked.
For the first day, this guy’s National Golf Club delivered nothing but golf material as defending champion Brittany Lang walked onto the practice range and offered greetings to Lydia Ko and Morgan Pressel.
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Marina Alex, 26, returns to New Jersey where she won back-to-back state titles for Wayne Hills High School. Alex played early with amateur, Rachel Heck.
Alex played out of the North Jersey Country Club.
“It’s pretty awesome to be back playing in my home state. I didn’t even realize it was going to be here. Did not think much about the U.S. Open being here. It’s pretty cool,” Alex said.
“I’m just trying to tell myself to do my best. I will probably play nine holes on Tuesday. And then another nine on Wednesday. Trying to keep the energy up because there’s a mental and physical toll for a U.S. Open. You need to be on for every shot.”
Alex, a Vanderbilt grad (2012), no longer walks around as a diminutive player. In 2014, Alex shared a first-round lead at the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club. Her 4-under-66 tied Jane Park and Australian Karrie Webb.
Alex owns four top10 finishes in her fourth LPGA season and ranks 38th on Tour in Official Money ($239,458).
“Friends and family will be around starting on Thursday,” Alex assured. “This has always been the dream since I was a little girl. To play in a U.S. Open is great. To play one in your home state? Just great. Hopefully, I’ll perform well.”
Alex guessed that most players will find the fairways. “But we’re going to need precision in regards to shots onto the green. We’ll get a few wedges into greens but you got to pick your spots. There’s a lot of slope. You have to make a birdie here and there but pars are good scores.”