Thursday, August 21, 2008
Published Sunday, July 06, 2008 in Local
File Photo
Katelyn Stanier
Newnan's Stanier to play in U.S. Amateur qualifier Monday
By Tony Jones
The Times-Herald
Katelyn Stanier will be at Horeshoe Bend Country Club in Roswell Monday morning, attempting to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship.
Stanier will be one of 53 players competing over 18 holes for six spots and two alternate positions in the 108th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship to be held at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Oregon from August 4-10.
If she's a bit rusty, there's good reason. "I haven't picked up a golf club in two weeks. It's been a hectic summer," noted the golfer who is known to have a busy life off the course.
The former East Coweta High School state champion spent the last week visiting family in New York and Erie, Pennsylvania. She also stayed for a week in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Stanier will play Horeshoe without the luxury of participating in a practice round. She does have experience on the course. Stanier posted 78 last year in a sectional qualifier for the 2007 Women's U.S. Open held at Horseshoe Bend.
Horseshoe Bend will play to a total of 6,429 yards. Distance doesn't make the course tough. "I feel like the length can be managed, but the course will punish you for poor play. The greens are difficult and there is little room for error," explained Stanier.
The 2007 Ohio Valley Conference individual champion is seeking to find better form off her recent layoff. "I didn't play well in Washington at the Open qualifier and I didn't play my best at Summergrove in the Western. Maybe I can turn things around at Horeshoe. I've come back from breaks before and played well," said the hopeful qualifier.
Horseshoe Bend is one of 18 qualifying sites being used through the month of July to determine the championship field.
Stanier will tee off at No. 1 at 9 a.m. and will play with University of Georgia golfer Alina Lee and Kristie Smith of Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Roswell's Margaret Shirley, who has family from Newnan, is also in the field. Shirley recently wrapped up her college golf career at Auburn University.
Other contenders for qualifying spots include rising Auburn junior Candace Schepperle, teen sensation Mariah Stackhouse of Riverdale, GSGA's Women's Top 60 winner Leigh Crosby of Athens, and Stacey Kim of Columbus.