U.S. Women's Open Press Conference Impresses Junior Golfers
With three of the LPGA Tour’s top players on hand in nearby Bedminster, a certain group of onlookers couldn’t help but be impressed.
Those 30 young ladies from USGA/LPGA Girls Golf enjoyed a thrill for sure by interacting with two former U.S. Women’s Open champions in Cristie Kerr (2007) and Brittany Lang (2016) and the world’s No. 1-ranked player, Lydia Ko.
They were on hand as part of the festivities at the press conference for the 72ndU.S. Women Open Championship, which will be conducted July 13-16, 2017, at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. It will be the seventh U.S. Women’s Open contested in New Jersey, and the first in 30 years.
Lang, of McKinney, Texas, who won the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle in San Martin, Calif., is one of 10 fully exempt U.S. Women’s Open champions. Lang is joined by Na Yeon Choi (2012), In Gee Chun (2015), Paula Creamer (2010), Eun-Hee Ji (2009), Kerr (2007), Inbee Park (2008, 2013), So Yeon Ryu (2011), Karrie Webb (2000, 2001) and Michelle Wie (2014). Kerr has won 18 times on tour including two majors.
“It’s exciting. These are golfers I watch on TV. One of them (Kerr) said she started playing at eight years old, just like me,” said Meredith Finger of Woolwich Township, daughter of top New Jersey amateur Matt Finger, runner-up at the NJSGA Mid-Amateur two years ago.
“My dad takes me with him to the course. We challenge each other. If I beat him, I can get my favorite food, which is nachos. My favorite player is Brooke Henderson. I got to meet her last year at the Shop-Rite Classic,” Meredith said.
A total of 1,709 entries were accepted for the U.S. Women’s Open Championship.
This marks the fourth consecutive year the U.S. Women’s Open has received more than 1,700 entries. The 2015 championship at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club holds the entry record with 1,873. Ten U.S. Women’s Open champions are among the 97 players who are currently fully exempt into the championship.
Kerr , who is a member of Trump National, said she was happy to talk with the junior golfers.
“It started for me when I would watch on TV and then my parents took me to the golf course and I developed a love for golf. We want to show them the fun of golf. We’re here to put on the best show in women’s golf and foster the next generation of women’s golfers ,” Kerr said.
The USGA accepted entries for the 72nd U.S. Women’s Open from golfers in 47 states (all except Alaska, West Virginia and Wyoming) and 51 countries in total.
“In what has become a hallmark of this championship, we are excited to see such a strong group of entrants from around the world for the 72nd U.S. Women’s Open Championship,” said Stuart Francis, chairman of the USGA Championship Committee. “We also look forward to welcoming the U.S. Women’s Open back to New Jersey for the first time since Laura Davies of England captured the 1987 championship at Plainfield Country Club.”
This will be the third USGA championship conducted at Trump National in Bedminster. The club previously hosted the 2009 U.S. Girls’ Junior, won by Amy Anderson, who now competes on the LPGA Tour and will attempt to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at the Frankfort, Ill., qualifying site on June 12. It also hosted the 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur, won by 2015 U.S. Open and Masters champion Jordan Spieth.
To be eligible for the U.S. Women’s Open, a player must have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 2.4, or be a professional. Sectional qualifying will be conducted over 36 holes between May 22 and June 12. Qualifying will be held at 21 sites in the United States, as well as four international sites: one each in England, Japan, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea.
Kerr has met President Donald Trump on numerous occasions. Asked if she expects to see Trump at the Open, Kerr said: “I have no idea. I think it would be pretty cool if he were to come, but he’s running the country, so I don’t expect to see him.”
