June 16, 2016
Sectional Qualifying Completes Field for Upcoming U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle
There already was a slate of players from across the globe who were exempt into the upcoming 2016 U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle.
Now, we know the players who’ll be headed to the championship—July 7-10—after earning spots via Sectional qualifying that took place at 21 sites across the U.S. and four international venues.
This year’s championship saw more than 1,800 entries for sectional qualifying tournaments, the second-most in USGA history (the record was set last year for the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club). In recognition of the growing international presence of women’s golf, qualifying sites were held in England, Japan, China and South Korea for the third consecutive year.
Industry Hills Golf Club just outside Los Angeles hosted sectional qualifying for a record seventh consecutive year, and three past USGA championship sites hosted as well—Shady Oaks Country Club (Fort Worth, TX), The Woodlands Country Club (The Woodlands, TX) and Canoe Brook Country Club (Summit, NJ).
In the ‘did you know?’ department, two U.S. Women’s Open champions have come from the ranks of sectional qualifiers, Birdie Kim in 2005 and Hilary Lunke in 2003.
Here in Northern California, on May 31 a Sectional qualifier was held at Green Valley CC in Fairfield. Julie Yang and Taylor Kim took the two available spots, with Monterey’s Mina Harigae emerging as first alternate.
Dozens of hopefuls will look to follow in their historic footsteps in an attempt to hoist the Harton S. Semple Trophy at CordeValle.
You can follow along the news and updates to the official roster of participants at USGA.org. For information on the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open and tickets, including new daily options, please visit their website at 2016uswomensopen.com.
–NCGA Staff
