The KNC Amateurs, Part II

by Mulligan Stu on Apr 1, 2008 4:05 PM EDT Comment 1 comment

As noted below, the Kraft Nabisco Championship has a history of inviting amateurs. I thought it would be fun (well, for me anyway) to take a look back at the amateurs who've been invited in the past, to see how well those amateurs did, and to see how well the KNC did in identifying the amateurs with the greatest futures.

I'd say on both counts the answer is "pretty darn good."

I've only gone back to 2000 because I couldn't find information prior to that on players who missed the cut, and it also appears that the KNC was inviting fewer amateurs (in some cases, none) prior to that year. Although it should be noted that Grace Park did well in 1998 and '99, and Beth Bauer in 1998.

And take a look at 2005. That was a powerhouse year for ams. Also note that Aree Song apparently began receiving invitations at the age of 3.

2007
Stacy Lewis - tie 5th
Taylor Leon - tie 65th
Esther Choe - tie 68th
Kimberly Kim - missed cut
Dewi Schreefel - missed cut
Jennie Lee - missed cut

2006
Angela Park - tie 15th
Inbee Park - tie 62nd
Maru Martinez - tie 62nd
Sydnee Michaels - tie 68th

2005
Michelle Wie - tie 14th
Morgan Pressel - tie 19th
Julieta Granada - tie 30th
Jane Park - tie 50th
Brittany Lang - missed cut
Karin Sjodin - missed cut

2004
Michelle Wie - 4th
Jane Park - tie 24th
Liz Janangelo - tie 40th
Paula Creamer - tie 45th
Virada Nirapathpongporn - m/c
Erica Blasberg - missed cut

2003
Michelle Wie - tie 9th
Aree Song - tie 21st
Virada Nirapathpongporn - tie 21st
Lindsey Wright - tie 57th

2002
Lorena Ochoa - tie 8th
Aree Song - tie 30th
Naree Song - tie 58th
Meredith Duncan - 73rd
Nicole Perrot - missed cut

2001
Lorena Ochoa - tie 21st
Aree Song - tie 46th
Naree Song - tie 58th
Lisa Ferrero - missed cut
Leigh Anne Hardin - missed cut

2000
Aree Song - tie 10th
Beth Bauer - tie 35th
Jimin Kang - missed cut
Naree Song - missed cut
Candie Kung - missed cut

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any meaning to this ?

Does this growing list of amateurs not only making the cut at a major growing, but finishing higher mean that the depth of the women's game was pretty mediocre before, say, the mid to late 90's ?

Does it mean that we are just in a wave of really good amateurs who were good enough to play with the pros, but (except for one) understood that they needed seasoning and practice at winning ?

Does it mean that, thanks to the women of the 80's (and the national sports program in South Korea) we have a growing depth in women's golf that will only continue to grow and make the women's game better ?

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Apr 1, 2008 4:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs