Take
away Aree and Naree Song. Throw out Elizabeth Janangelo and
Soo Young Moon. Remove Irene Cho and Cindy Chin from the 2003
U.S. Women’s Open and the average age of the tournament
field doesn’t change much – even without these big-time
teenaged golfers who have moved on from the ranks of junior
golf.
Jane Park
Beaumont, Calif.
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Now add AJGA
members Sydney Burlison and Paula Creamer. Include Alice Kim
and Jane Park. Invite Morgan Pressel and Whitney Wade. Throw
in Michelle Wie while you’re at it, and it’s easy
to understand why this year’s Open at Pumpkin Ridge in
North Plains, Ore., is as young as ever.
While these players may be comparatively short on age to their
soon-to-be playing partners, they are long on golfing talent.
So if Open History stays true to form, there will be no greater
test for these teen-aged phenoms.
Burlison, a 13-year-old seventh-grader from Salinas, Calif.,
survived sectional qualifying at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly
City, Calif., with a two-round total of 152. Although she is
a relative newcomer to the AJGA (to-date, she has played in
three events), she is accustomed to pressure-packed golf after
making her way to the finals of the California Women’s
Amateur the past two years.
Whitney Wade
Glasgow, Ky.
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Creamer,
Kim, Park, Pressel and Wade are much the opposite with many
AJGA wins and top finishes to their credit.
Creamer, a two-time Polo Golf Junior All-American, is as decorated
as any junior golfer in the world. She reached double-digit
AJGA victories after winning the Rolex Girls Junior Championship
June 12. Along the way, she received two sponsor’s exemptions
to play in LPGA events. Although she’s been in the “big
time” before, the U.S. Open won’t be any ho-hum
experience.
“I expected to qualify going into the tournament; I
had no doubt,” she said with confidence. “I want
good numbers. My goal is to make the cut and be in the top
20.”
The rest of the AJGA U.S. Open participants are no slouches
themselves. Kim has a victory and 11 top-10 finishes. Park,
like Kim, is an AJGA title holder and perennial top-10 finisher.
Pressel, 15, who holds the distinction of being the youngest
player to qualify in U.S. Open history at 12 years old, has
three AJGA tournament victories.
“The
last time I played, I didn't play very well, but I have matured
since then,” Pressel said. “My game has improved
and this time around I am looking to play well. I know I can
finish well. I am looking to make the cut.”
While
Wade’s junior days come to an end this summer, she leaves
the AJGA with seven victories to her credit. Although a member,
Wie has yet to compete in an AJGA event. However, her national
headlines made at LPGA events are hard to miss.
While these player’s goals are high, they should be.
They have proven they are the best at their level. This is
simply a logical step in their progression toward the next
chapter of their golfing lives.
“There are a lot of good juniors out there,” Creamer
said. “The AJGA has us ready to succeed at the next
level.”
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