Present and Future ‘Dawgs Competing in Augusta This Week

The Masters may still be days away, but golf is being played in Augusta, and will be played at Augusta National this weekend. And there’s a good shot a Georgia Bulldog will be there.

This is the 4th edition of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA), sponsored by Augusta National Golf Club. The purpose is to shine a spotlight on both women’s golf, and amateur golf - something very close to the heart of club co-founder Bobby Jones.

The 72 player field plays the first two rounds at nearby Champions Retreat Golf Club, Wednesday and Thursday. The field is then cut down to the top 30 and ties, and these lucky ladies will play the 3rd and final round at Augusta National Golf Club Saturday. They are given Friday as an official practice round as well. Because how many of us are ready to play a tournament at ANGC without a practice round?

The field is essentially any winner of a woman’s amateur championship (US Women’s Am, US Girl’s Junior, the same for the British versions, the Asia-Pacific Women’s Am, and the top 30 US amateur women not already qualified, plus (very on-brand) any special invitees of the ANWA committee.

Thanks to her 2022 Ladies European Amateur Championship, 17 year old Savannah de Bock has earned an invitation for the ANWA. de Bock is a Georgia commit, planning on enrolling in Athens this fall and play for Georgia Women’s Golf coach Josh Brewer. She is a native of Ecaussinnes, Belgium, but with a name like Savannah where else would she go to school? She’s very accomplished with many top finishes in European Amateur events and playing on the Junior Solheim Cup team.

Super Senior Bulldog Jenny Bae will be playing in the ANWA for the 2nd time, having placed 43rd last year. Bae is taking advantage of COVID eligibility, and playing the anchor role for the UGA Women’s Golf team. She’s also putting up some gaudy numbers along the way, especially in top finishes and stroke average.

So while it isn’t officially Masters Week**, there are still some ‘Dawgs playing in Augusta, and that’s always good news. Also always...

GO ‘DAWGS!!!

**We all know Masters Week started a few days ago. It’s the rest of the world that doesn’t officially recognize it.