30 March 2022: For those who will walk the grounds at Augusta National Golf Club for the first time this week, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur represents a profound milestone. For the 22 players returning, the coveted Championship experience continues to be surreal. Avani Prashanth of Bengaluru, fresh off a T6 in the Sage Valley Junior Invitational, will look to make her big splash at Augusta this week.
The Indian will hope to make a bright start at the Champions Retreat, where she has been practicing for the past week. The Women’s Amateur plays two rounds at the Retreat before the top 30 women proceed to Augusta National for the final round on Saturday.
But there are eight players in the field with unique shared experiences at Augusta National through Drive, Chip and Putt: Megha Ganne, Savannah Grewal, Ashley Menne, Alexa Pano, Bailey Shoemaker, Latanna Stone, Yana Wilson and Avery Zweig.
With the junior competition in its eighth year and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in its third, the path for players to find success at the Championship level is just beginning. For some, competing in Drive, Chip and Putt was the only path to play at Augusta National – until the announcement of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2018.
“It feels surreal because I didn’t think I would ever be back at Augusta National,” said Savannah Grewal.
Grewal became the first Canadian Drive, Chip and Putt National Champion when she won the Girls 14-15 division in 2017.
“It feels surreal because I didn’t think I would ever be back at Augusta National,” Grewal said after her practice round on Tuesday. “The year I competed was before they had ever announced they were going to have a women’s amateur event. I never thought I’d be back for a competitive round, so this opportunity is life changing.”
With 39 international players in the field, the Championship continues to inspire greater interest and participation in the women’s game by creating a new, exciting and rewarding pathway for these players to fulfill their dreams.
“I think it just shows that golf is a global sport now more than ever,” Grewal said. “You have people from all over the world not only playing, but being competitive with the best there is.”
“Drive, Chip and Putt was the first time I was introduced to playing at Augusta National and being in that type of environment,” Pano said. “It’s so different from anything else that you’ll do and I’m so thankful to have that experience.”
“It’s so different from anything else that you’ll do and I’m so thankful to have that experience.”
Now 17, Pano already has an accomplished junior career, holding a regular presence in team competitions and on the leaderboards of amateur and professional events throughout the United States. She is one of nine players to compete in all three editions of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“Nothing can compare to playing in the inaugural event,” Pano said. “It was something that had never been experienced in women’s golf before and to be a part of the first one was an honor. It’s an honor to be invited every year, but the first one was something we will never forget.”
At 15 years old, Wilson is making her third trip to Augusta National in four years. After winning consecutive Drive, Chip and Putt titles in the Girls 12-13 division in 2019 and 2021, Wilson is back, this time to make her debut in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
It goes to show Drive, Chip and Putt is really something special, growing the game and making a difference for years to come.
“I thought I wouldn’t be back until 2023 but it’s amazing to be back in Augusta, Georgia,” Wilson said. “I’m so grateful I get the opportunity to play with the best in the world. I’ve never been put into a field with this many amazing players and competitors and I’m looking forward to testing my game.”
Just one year ago, Wilson dreamt about playing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, hoping for a spot in the final group on Saturday and now, she’s here to prove she’s ready to compete on one of golf’s biggest stages.
As the Augusta National Women’s Amateur continues to grow, the invitation to the event becomes even more desired. Menne, a sophomore at Arizona State and Stone, a junior at LSU, are both making their competitive returns to Augusta National Golf Club after eight years. Both players competed in the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt in 2014.
“It means a lot for Drive, Chip and Putt and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur to now have this connection,” Menne said. “A lot of the girls I competed with, we also went through junior golf together and now we’re all playing college golf. It goes to show Drive, Chip and Putt is really something special, growing the game and making a difference for years to come.”
Although the nature of the two events are different, parallels can be made – the chance to compete at Augusta National carries the same weight no matter how old you are.
“I’ve had it as a goal of mine to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur ever since it was first announced,” Stone said. “It’s such a privilege to be here and I’m really humbled I got an invitation. I am going to cherish every moment that I’m here and keep smiling all week, no matter what happens.”
