Facebook Twitter Instagram

Top Universities Represented at Women’s Amateur

By Hailey Hernandez/26 Mar 2022
For the first time in the three-year history of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur – held March 30-April 2 – all 72 players are in the top 200 of the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). While the Championship is an individual 54-hole event, 53 players are also representing 34 colleges and universities in the United States as current or future team members.

From a team perspective, no university will send more players than Stanford. The Cardinal will send six women to compete, including top-ranked amateur Rose Zhang, Rachel Heck, Aline Krauter, Caroline Sturdza, Lei Ye and commit Megha Ganne.

Competing with my teammates at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur is going to be the experience of a lifetime.
– Caroline Sturdza

The No. 1 team in the nation already has five event wins this season, with either Zhang or Heck also taking home individual titles in four of them. Stanford’s team of Zhang, Heck, Krauter, and Sturdza also set a new NCAA record for 54 holes, finishing at 50-under at the Gunrock Invitational. They also put together a 35-stroke victory to earn the largest margin of victory in Stanford program history.

“Competing with my teammates at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur is going to be the experience of a lifetime,” said Sturdza, who has two individual top-five finishes in her first season at Stanford. “We’re playing great golf right now and to have six of us head into this week together will definitely make it comfortable and more fun.”

The Cardinals contingent enters the 2022 event tying the University of Southern California’s record six Trojans that competed in the 2021 Championship.

Not to be overlooked, Wake Forest is bringing four players from its roster – including reigning runner-up Emilia Migliaccio, Carolina Lopez-Chacarra, Rachel Kuehn and Lauren Walsh. All four are in the top 30 in WAGR and three of them have competed in previous Augusta National Women’s Amateurs.

“I feel honored and excited not only to play in a place with this history, but to represent Wake Forest along with three other teammates,” Lopez-Chacarra said. “It means a lot to be invited and it is motivation to keep working hard and pursuing my dreams.”

Wake Forest has had success in each of the first two editions of the Championship. Alumna Jennifer Kupcho was the first champion of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2019. At the time of her victory, Kupcho was the world’s top-ranked amateur and reigning NCAA individual champion. She played her final six holes in five under par, including an eagle on the par-5 13th to prevail against Mexico’s Maria Fassi.

It was unbelievably special to play last year and see girls walking the fairways of Augusta National.
– Rachel Kuehn

Kupcho also holds or shares many scoring records for the Championship including: shared Low 18 at Champions Retreat (68), Low 18 at Augusta National (67) and Low 54 Hole Total (206). Since her victory, Kupcho has added 11 career top-10 LPGA Tour finishes and one Solheim Cup appearance to her professional resume and continues to be an inspiration for the Wake Forest team and next stars of the game.

“It’s been amazing and inspiring watching Jennifer and Emilia’s play at this tournament the past couple years,” said Kuehn, returning for her second Championship. “It was unbelievably special to play last year and see girls walking the fairways of Augusta National.”

The Pac-12 conference continues to be well-represented with 17 players from seven schools. Behind Stanford’s six, Arizona State and Southern California will each send three players. Arizona State has three players in the top 75, with commit Paula Schulz-Hanssen returning for her second event, joining Ashley Menne and Alexandra Forsterling.

Amari Avery, Katherine Muzi and commit Bailey Shoemaker will each represent Southern California with Muzi and Shoemaker making their debuts. Avery, a freshman, recently won Pac-12 Player of the Month after two victories in February. She missed the cut in her debut last year, but is looking to make up for it in 2022.

“I’m much stronger mentally and I’ve been able to see many benefits from that so far,” Avery said. “Making the playoff for the cut to get to Augusta National was so important for me. I have a leg up this year on those who haven’t been here before. It means so much to be invited and returning for a second year is an accomplishment I am very proud of.”

Behind Stanford (six), Wake Forest (four), Arizona State (three) and Southern California (three), seven schools will send two representatives apiece: Auburn, Clemson, Duke, LSU, Michigan, Oregon and Virginia.

Videos to Watch

Stanford superstar Rose Zhang to return for sophomore year
Rose Zhang Interview by Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship
Zhang ties Woods for most wins as a Stanford freshman
View all Videos

Testimonials

I had the pleasure to be around Rose Zhang the entire day today with her service day with East West Bank I am also an ambassador and navigate their golf sector for them. She is a joy to be around and no coincidence she has had your guidance all her life. Thank you for being such a great role model for all of us, and the future of golf. Although we have never worked together but I’ve known you since I was a junior golfer, and you’ve impacted me in ways you don’t know as well. Whether it’s a quick passing by on the range seeing me and a quick chat, or when you’re slammed with lessons and call me over to give me info about my swing. For all that and more you are the best.
Ben Lein
Ben Lein
Congratulations on the impact you are having on the game of golf by developing young talent in the women's game. Having played at the highest level and know the talent Rose brings to the LPGA, it goes without saying you are making a difference in the lives of those around you. I look forward to getting to know you more.
Lisa Strom,
Head Women's Golf CoachThe Ohio State University
As George’s student for the past 6 years, to say that he has helped my golf game is an understatement. When I first came to him when I was 11, his way of teaching really intrigued me with all the technology he had including Trackman, his side/front swing cameras, and his large TV’s. With the technology and his ability to analyze my swing effectively, my game has really improved greatly in each stage of junior and amateur golf. George has been a critical part of my development as a player both physically and mentally as he has provided me great advice not only in golf but in life as well. I am definitely extremely grateful and blessed to have him as a coach, mentor, and friend.
Rose ZhangNovember 2020
You are a fighter with a kind and big heart to create miracles in your players. We all should learn the life lessons, attitude and the tenacious fighting spirit that you have toward difficulties that you face. The fact that you will drive all the way to The Olympic Club, in San Francisco and back, proves that you are a real champion deserving of all the accolades, titles and trophies that your player’s win. I learned so much in so short a time while spending time with you at The Open. Your hard work ethics are a good path for me to follow. We, and all of those who you touch, owe you a deep, thank you, from the heart. If I had a coach like you, I would give everything I have to fight for victories. It was my honor to push your scooter at The Open.
Enbo Zhang
In this time of Thanksgiving, we want to express our appreciation for you. Working with you has been an amazing opportunity. We appreciate your high standards, your persistence, your encouragement, and your sense of humor.
Chloe Lam and Family
Shot 64 to finish 2nd stage Japan Q-school to finish 3rd!!! It's been a great month of golf for me so far thanks to George Pinnell!
Rory Hie2 time NCAA All-American (USC)
I have been working with George since I was 14. George has given me a tremendous amount of help with all parts of the game including the swing, short game and putting as well as the mental part of my game. George’s knowledge and experience gives him the ability to be direct and speak to what changes should be made to improve my performance. Most important, he loves what he does and he is driven by that love. He cares about, and checks scores, for every single tournament his players compete in, no matter how big or small the tournament is. The information and support he gives to his players is really valuable. George once told me that “a player doesn’t know how good a coach is, until they know how much he or she, cares.” He is really good at reading players minds, so be prepared to communicate. George and I have become good friends during our time spent together during the last few years.
Nicole ZhangNovember, 2020
My first lesson with George was 3 years ago. During my first few classes, George already corrected nearly unnoticeable but very crucial mistakes in just my set up that I had never even realized. His ability to recognize anything from small details to major mistakes has greatly improved the consistency of my swing. Furthermore, George has shown genuine care for my mental and wellbeing outside of lessons when I’m traveling for a golf tournament. He is always there to check in with how I am feeling before and after the rounds. Thanks to George, I am always able to find my confidence again and focus on my game. I am truly grateful for everything George has taught me in both golf and life.
Charissa ShangJunior Ranked Player
Coach George has been a critical factor for my daughter, Angie Zhang, in her golf pursuit. Before our friend referred us to Coach George, Angie was at a standstill and shot in the upper 80s and even 90s with consistent back pain after her freshman Fall season in December 2019. That was very frustrating since she started golf late and had only been playing for two and half years. George graciously took her in and then trained her with his life-lessons, his advanced technology equipment, skillful instructions, and star-student- role-model setting. George quickly put her back on track for progress and health. Within a little over half year, he was able to get Angie's confidence back and she started shooting within 70s which was previously very rare for her. We are so lucky to be working with a truly talented coach. We could not thank George enough for devoting some of his time to Angie's interest!
Yingxia CaoMother of Angie Zhang's
My daughter Alice ziyi Zhao is lucky and proud to have George Pinnell as her golf coach, she likes his teaching very much. she improved much under his good teaching and is on the way to succeed as a junior golfer step by step. His way of teaching golf is very professional, and he is very experienced and nice with good personality. He not only teaches Alice the skill of golf technology , but also he teaches her mental guidance and how to become a good player. He knows how to encourage golfers to face the challenges and he knows everything about the growth of a good junior golfer in the process. He also teaches parents some advanced ideas about golf and how to become a good parent of a good golfer. we learned a lot from him. Thank you for all to George Pinnell!
Elena LiangMother of Alice Ziyi Zhao
For us, Coach George Pinnell has been the best coach ever to help my daughter Alesia Barry succeed as a junior golfer. He is very experienced and is truly an amazing person. And not only does he teach my daughter golf skills, he also coaches her on mental guidance and how to be a better person. And as a parent I learn quite a bit from him as well. He has a very personal style where he has individual chats with her, where he listens to her as much as she listens to him. This is where I think some of the best teaching happens. I only wish we could see him more often.
Victoria ZhangMother of Alesia Barry
Over the past three years, George has been my coach/swing coach. I’ve struggled so much through my high school career, but George was always there to guide me in the right direction. He believes so much in his players and loves what he is doing to help junior golfers grow. Now I’m going to Seattle University on a golf scholarship, I can certainly say that I’ve grow a tremendous amount as an athlete in the golf game and as a wholesome individual because of his genuine care and teachings. Thanks for everything George.
Keisha Lugito
Previous
Next
Useful Links