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AUGUSTA, Ga. — Ask any of the 72 competitors in last week's Augusta National Women's Amateur field, they'll tell you it's the event they want to win the most on the calendar.
The ANWA has quickly grown to become arguably the greatest amateur event on the calendar. In just its seventh year, the competition features the strongest field in women's amateur golf and concludes at one of the most historic places in the game, the same storied venue that hosts the Masters. There have been many memorable moments crafted, too, from Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi's epic battle in the inaugural event to Rose Zhang's playoff victory in 2023.
Last Saturday, Maria Jose Marin added her chapter to the ANWA's growing legacy, as she became the first Colombian champion. She celebrated with Rory McIlroy, who has kept his eye on the event for years.
Last year, McIlroy said he watched Carla Bernat Escuder's winning putt on the 18th hole, and in the playoff to win his first Green Jacket faced a similar one and remembered what he saw only eight days before.
"It's certainly gratifying, both with regard to the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the following day with the kids, how many of our current players really are very engaged with what's going on there," Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said Wednesday.
"I think that most of the players on the PGA Tour are really interested in what's going on in women's golf. I think they have friends that are playing on the LPGA. I know that certainly is the same thing in collegiate golf, where the men's and women's teams really show a lot of interest in each other and how they're doing."
It was then Ridley dropped some knowledge that likely surprised those in the room and around the world who follow amateur golf closely.
"I don't think I really imagined exactly how the Augusta National Women's Amateur was going to progress and grow," he said. "I'm not going to say it was beyond my wildest dreams, but it might have been beyond my expectations for this short of a period of time."
"I couldn't be happier for the way it's been received by the players – I think we had 48 of the top 50 women amateurs in the world – by the way that all of you have covered the championship. I think it's really elevated the women's game.
"The intention in starting this tournament was to allow these wonderful players, these wonderful women amateurs to have an opportunity to compete on the biggest stage in the world with the spotlight shining on them. I felt by doing that, we were doing our part to elevate the women's game and to really allow it to grow and prosper as we've seen many other women's sports in the last few years."
Augusta National opening its doors just a couple days earlier for the elite women's amateurs has been an incredible part of its evolving history. As the ANWA continues to lay the ground as a premier amateur event, there's more coverage, attention and visibility of the championship.
The Masters elevates the amateur game unlike any tournament, with numerous events highlighting amateurs throughout the week and numerous ways for ams to play their way into the field every year. And for the women, they, too, have a chance at glory at Augusta National.
"I hope we're doing a good job," Ridley ended his answer.
Augusta National is doing better than good, Mr. Chairman.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Fred Ridley admits growth of ANWA was 'beyond my expectations'
Continue reading...
The ANWA has quickly grown to become arguably the greatest amateur event on the calendar. In just its seventh year, the competition features the strongest field in women's amateur golf and concludes at one of the most historic places in the game, the same storied venue that hosts the Masters. There have been many memorable moments crafted, too, from Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi's epic battle in the inaugural event to Rose Zhang's playoff victory in 2023.
Last Saturday, Maria Jose Marin added her chapter to the ANWA's growing legacy, as she became the first Colombian champion. She celebrated with Rory McIlroy, who has kept his eye on the event for years.
Last year, McIlroy said he watched Carla Bernat Escuder's winning putt on the 18th hole, and in the playoff to win his first Green Jacket faced a similar one and remembered what he saw only eight days before.
"It's certainly gratifying, both with regard to the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the following day with the kids, how many of our current players really are very engaged with what's going on there," Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said Wednesday.
"I think that most of the players on the PGA Tour are really interested in what's going on in women's golf. I think they have friends that are playing on the LPGA. I know that certainly is the same thing in collegiate golf, where the men's and women's teams really show a lot of interest in each other and how they're doing."
It was then Ridley dropped some knowledge that likely surprised those in the room and around the world who follow amateur golf closely.
"I don't think I really imagined exactly how the Augusta National Women's Amateur was going to progress and grow," he said. "I'm not going to say it was beyond my wildest dreams, but it might have been beyond my expectations for this short of a period of time."
"I couldn't be happier for the way it's been received by the players – I think we had 48 of the top 50 women amateurs in the world – by the way that all of you have covered the championship. I think it's really elevated the women's game.
"The intention in starting this tournament was to allow these wonderful players, these wonderful women amateurs to have an opportunity to compete on the biggest stage in the world with the spotlight shining on them. I felt by doing that, we were doing our part to elevate the women's game and to really allow it to grow and prosper as we've seen many other women's sports in the last few years."
Augusta National opening its doors just a couple days earlier for the elite women's amateurs has been an incredible part of its evolving history. As the ANWA continues to lay the ground as a premier amateur event, there's more coverage, attention and visibility of the championship.
The Masters elevates the amateur game unlike any tournament, with numerous events highlighting amateurs throughout the week and numerous ways for ams to play their way into the field every year. And for the women, they, too, have a chance at glory at Augusta National.
"I hope we're doing a good job," Ridley ended his answer.
Augusta National is doing better than good, Mr. Chairman.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Fred Ridley admits growth of ANWA was 'beyond my expectations'
Continue reading...
