Last week, five former IJGA students (Ana Paula Valdes, Ayaka Nakayama, Laura Restrepo, Kim Mitchell and Naranphat “Pear” Siriko) competed in the USGA U.S. Women’s Amateur. The prestigious event was hosted by Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore., on August 10-16, 2015. Following the tournament, Pear and Kim reflected on their experiences.
Here’s what Pear, a rising sophomore on the Indiana Hoosiers’ women’s golf team, had to say:
IJGA: How did you qualify for the U.S. Women’s Amateur?
Pear: I qualified [for the U.S. Women’s Amateur] in Houston, Texas. Ross Prachar, who has been my coach since junior high school at the International Junior Golf Academy caddied for me on that day. I didn’t hit well, but I knew I was mentally tough enough to shoot well. I made only two bogies through 17 holes and finally made birdie on the last hole to tie for third place and earn a letter to go to Portland, Oregon for the championship match.
Here’s what Kim, a rising senior on the Western Carolina Catamount’s women’s golf team, had to say about her time at the U.S. Women’s Am:
“My experience at the am was unbelievable. Everyone there truly made my first time unforgettable. I had my coach [Mallory Hetzel[ on the bag which really helped on and off the course and especially during the playoff holes [Kim advanced to the Round of 64 by winning a playoff]. Although I didn’t play the way I hoped in match play, it was nice to see where my game stood with the best amateurs in the world and see what I need to work on the next time I make it to the am. If I had to pick one favorite part of the whole experience it would be the first playoff hole. I was a little nervous teeing it up in front of all the people. But once I hit that first tee shot all the nerves went away. Being there and competing with the best will definitely help me get ready for my last year of college golf and hopefully help me bring Western Carolina University a conference title.”
