Shannon Aubert Wins in 19 Holes
Shannon Aubert andJamie Freedman headed to the first tee one last time to begin the Finals of the 88th Women's Amateur Championship. Freedman continued her steady play into the afternoon,
winning the first hole and remained 1up through the first six holes. It wasn't until the dog leg seventh that Aubert was able to stick a tight wedge shot and sink her birdie putt to bring the match back to all square. Freedman then continued on to win 10 with a birdie and bring her back to 1UP. Both players continued their steady play, matching shot for shot, but Freedman constantly kept the lead, never letting Aubert get to 1UP. It wasn't until Aubert stuck her second shot on 17 to a foot that she finally was able to take the lead in the match. Heading into the final hole, Freedman would not give up the fight, birdying the par 5 18th and forcing extra holes. The long approach shot into the first green made for a tough challenge, but Aubert was able to come away with a steady up and down par to capture the title.
Semifinals
The players arrived at World Golf Village for the final time to begin the Semifinal matches at 7:30 AM. Ramya Meenakshisundaram started her match off strong, winning the first hole with a birdie and holding her 1UP lead until the fourth hole, where opponent, Shannon Aubert, birdied to bring the match back to all square. For the rest of the match Aubert remained in the lead, winning the eighth, twelfth and then thirteenth to sit 3UP heading into the long par four 16, where both players made par to give Aubert the first spot in the afternoon Finals. In the second match, Jamie Freedman (pictured right) was off to a hot start, winning holes one and two to bring her to a quick 2UP lead over 13-year-old Karoline Tuttle (pictured right). Tuttle fought back to win the third with a birdie. Freedman, however, would not back down, winning six and seven to go 4UP heading to the tricky par 4, ninth. Tuttle was able to birdie again leaving Freedman 3UP at the turn. Tuttle continued the fight and won holes 11 and 12, but Freedman stayed steady, winning 13 and the eventually the match on 17, 2&1.
Quarterfinals
Ramya Meenakshisundaram is the first player to advance to the Semifinals, defeating her opponent, Dreeskbeimdieke, the number one seed, winning 5 & 3. Stanford standout, Shannon Aubert, defeats 2016 runner-up Sophie Liu, 4 & 3 to earn a spot in the Semifinals. Aubert carded a two-under par 35 on the front and continued her streak on the back with 2 more birdies. Freedman and Zagers went back and forth throughout their match, but Freedman was able to capitalize on an error by Zagers, win the 17th hole and then close out the match on 18. Tuttle and Hobson was the only match to go into extra holes since matches began, with Tuttle eventually winning on the 20th hole and taking the final spot in Sunday morning's Semifinal match.
Round of 16
It was a beautiful sunny morning for golf when the Round of 16 matches began at 7:30 AM. The number one seed, Dreesbeimdieke, defeated Morgan Baxendale 4 and 3 to continue her hot streak into the Quarterfinals Saturday afternoon. Ramya Meenakshisundaram (pictured below) secured her spot in the Quarterfinals after defeating Jacksonville University's Hannah Berman 2 and 1. Sophie Liu, a sophomore at the University of Iowa, took down four time U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Champion and past Women's Amateur Champion, Meghan Stasi 3 and 2.
Shannon Aubert, who plays for Stanford, and Hallianne Hobson, who plays for Samford University, defeated their opponents, Alejandra Merchan and Sophie Membrino 2 and 1, respectively. Karoline Tuttle took Megan Schofill to the 18th hole to continue on as the youngest player in the field winning her match 1 up. Ashley Zagers has battled to the Quarterfinals, after earning her spot in the match play field in a nine person play-off, defeating Andie Shukow 1 up on the 18th hole. Finishing out the Round of 16 is Jamie Freedman (pictured right), a senior at Nova Southeastern University, who beat the number six seed, Kimberly Benedict, 4 and 3. No matches in the Round of 16 went on to extra holes.
Round of 32
After a slight delay due to inclement weather in the area, the Round of 32 matches began at approximately 3:00 P.M. at the King & Bear at World Golf Village. The final individual to nab a spot in the match play round, Antonia Poate, drew stroke play medalist Jessica Dreesbeimdieke in the first round. It took all 18 holes for the match with Jessica finishing one up and earning her spot in the Round of 16. The shortest match of the Round of 32 came from 14th seed, Annie Kim, and 19th seed, Andie Shukow. Starting out of the gate strong, Shukow defeated Kim 5 and 4. No matches in the Round of 32 went into extra holes, however five matches, including top-seeded Dreesbeimdieke’s match went to the 18th hole. Also moving on to match play is two-time Women’s Amateur champion, Meghan Stasi who defeated Amelia Williams of Gainesville 1 up.
Stroke Play
It was Jessica Dreesbeimdieke (pictured below) who came out on top to capture medalist honors at the 88th Women's Amateur Championship.
Shooting her second consecutive under par round, Dreesbeimdieke will enter this afternoon's match as the top seeded individual. Playing the King & Bear at World Golf Village this morning, Jessica carded five birdies to shoot two-under par, proving she could handle both courses with ease. Jessica draws 32nd seed, Antonia Poate in the first round of match play, which will take place this afternoon at the King & Bear.
It was moving day this morning and Sophie Membrino took full advantage. Playing St. Johns Country Club today, Sophie backed up her 70 yesterday at the King & Bear with a 69 to move up five spots for a share of second place. Starting off strong with three birdies in her first six holes, she ended up making the turn at one-under par, but regained control of her round with three more birdies on the back nine to finish the round with a three-under par 69. "It [today's round] is going to give me a lot of confidence for matches later this afternoon and hopefully into the weekend," Sophie said.
Dreesbeimdieke and Membrino were just two of the ten players who finished the stroke play portion of the 88th Women's Amateur under par. After 36 holes, the field was cut to 32 players who will begin the match play portion of the championship this afternoon at the King & Bear. Upon completion of stroke play, players four-over par and better earned an automatic spot in match play, while the nine women who finished at five-over par went into a playoff at the King & Bear for the final five match play spots.
Match Play Bracket | Stroke Play Results | Photos
NEW for 2017 - Field Expanded to 156 Players!
The Women's Amateur Championship is the oldest and most prestigious event on the Women's Championship schedule. Located in historic St. Augustine, King & Bear - World Golf Village hosts the 2017 Women's Amateur in conjunction with St. Johns Golf & Country Club. Participants will have the opportunity to experience two beautiful golf courses. In its 88th year, past Champions include the names of Cristie Kerr, Meghan Stasi, Taffy Brower, and other notables. The format of this competitive Championship begins with 36 holes of stroke play to cut the field to the low 32 for match play. For a look at the 2016 Championship Results click here.
Championship Format
- 156 total players
- 36 holes of individual stroke play qualifying on Thursday and Friday
- All players play eighteen holes each at King & Bear and St. Johns G & CC on Thursday, June 15th and Friday, June 16th
- Round Two's shotgun pairings will be repaired by score within each assigned course
- Field will be cut to the low 32 players for the Championship match play field
- All match play rounds will be played Friday, Saturday and Sunday at King & Bear
- Gross only, no handicaps and no consolation flights
Eligibility
- Female amateur golfer
- Florida residency required
- A valid USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 18.4
- Entrant is not required to be a member of the FSGA
Entry Fee
$160 (for GHIN handicap members)
$170 (for non-GHIN handicap members)
Entry fee includes all competitive rounds of golf, tee gift, and lunches for players after the final round of stroke play (Friday), and during match play days (Saturday-Sunday). Late entries will be accepted subject to a $10 late entry fee should the entrant gain acceptance into the field.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, June 15th
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7:00 - 9:00 AM - Player Registration
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8:00 - 9:48 AM - Round One tee times off #1 & #10 on King & Bear (Stroke play)
- 8:00 - 9:48 AM - Round One tee times off #1 & #10 at St. Johns (Stroke play)
Friday, June 16th
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8:00 AM - Round Two Shotgun on King & Bear (Stroke play)
- 7:30 AM - Round Two Shotgun at St. Johns (Stroke play)
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Field cut to low 32 (Playoff to immediately follow play, if needed)
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Lunch buffet provided
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2:00 - 3:00 PM - Round of 32 Matches, tee times off #1 & #10 on King & Bear
Saturday, June 17th
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7:30 - 8:30 AM - Round of 16 Matches, tee times off #1 on King & Bear
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11:45 - 12:15 PM - Quarterfinal Matches, tee times off #1 on King & Bear
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Lunch provided to match play competitors
Sunday, June 18th
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7:30 - 7:45 AM - Semifinal Matches, tee times off #1 on King & Bear
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11:30 PM - Championship 18-hole Match, tee time off #1 on King & Bear
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Lunch provided to match play competitors
Entry Priority
Entries will be accepted based upon the order of receipt. Entries received after the competitive field is full or after the close of entries, will be placed on an alternates list. Alternates will be contacted in the order of receipt of entry, if and when, a spot becomes available.
Approximate Yardage
6,000 yards (Gross only - NO handicaps)
Practice RoundsPractice rounds are available one week prior to the championship and after 12:00 PM the weekend prior on a space available basis. Practice rounds can ONLY be booked one week prior. Includes cart and range balls prior to the round. The price for a practice round is $35.00 + tax. Please call (904) 940-6200 to arrange your practice round at King & Bear - World Golf Village and 904-940-3200 to arrange your practice round at St. Johns G & CC. The proper place to practice your golf swing is on the driving range, hitting multiple shots on the course is unacceptable.
Defending Champion
After advancing through four matches, Emma Albrecht and Sophie Liu stood on the first tee Sunday afternoon ready to determine the Champion in the final match. Emma came out hot winning each of the first five holes. She won with a par on holes one through four and birdied the par three fifth hole to get to five-up. Sophie, 2015 Girls’ Junior Champion, tried to gain some ground with a birdie on the seventh hole, but Emma fired back with a birdie on the eighth hole. Emma would start the final nine holes at six-up. Although Sophie won two holes, 10 and 13, on the back-nine with pars, she could not overcome Emma’s lead.
The match ended on the 14th hole with a five and four victory for Emma Albrecht. Emma explains her first FSGA Championship victory as surreal. She stated, “My hard work paid off and I felt confident going into the tournament and just kept that mentality throughout the week”. It was a great Father’s Day for her dad who was with her through every shot as her caddie. Besides summer classes, Albrecht plans to try to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Amateur before her sophomore year at the University of Notre Dame starts. Reflecting on her first year in college Emma stated that she had a “Solid freshman year, made it to regionals as a team, and accomplished goals”. A Women’s Amateur win is a great way to kick off summer classes and her sophomore year!
Other Policies
- Spectators and Spectator Cart Policy - Click here.
- Caddies - Caddies are allowed in all FSGA Championships except Junior events. However, a player must not use a parent, step-parent or guardian as a caddie. The caddie MUST walk and the player’s clubs must remain on the golf cart.
- Championship Pace of Play Policy - Click here.
- Local Rules and Conditions of Competition - Click here.
- Championship Policies - Click here to read the withdrawal, dress code, and other policies.
- Procedures for Alternates - Click here for information on how alternates may gain entry into this Championship.
- Conditions/ Schedule - The FSGA Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions and/or schedules. The decision of the Championships Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final.
Payment
World Golf Village and St. Johns G & CC accepts all major forms of payment.
Host Hotel and Accommodations
Fairfield Inn & Suites St. Augustine I-95
305 Outlet Mall Blvd
Saint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 810-9892
$95 +tax per night (Wednesday & Thursday ONLY)
$119 +tax per night (Friday & Saturday)
Call and identify yourself as a Florida State Golf Association player by May 15th.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites St.Augustine North
2300 FL-16
Saint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 824-5151
$99 +tax per night (Wednesday & Thursday ONLY)
$135 +tax per night (Friday & Saturday)
Call and identify yourself using the room block code, "FSG" by May 31st.
Directions - World Golf Village
King & Bear - World Golf Village
1 King & Bear Drive
St. Augustine, FL 32092
(904) 940-6200
St. Johns Golf & Country Club
205 St. Johns Golf Drive
St. Augustine, FL 32092
(904) 940-3200
