Janice Kim of Edina, Minn. will seek to successfully defend her title at the Women’s Western Junior when the championship takes place from June 16 to 20 returns to Woodland Country Club in Carmel for the first time since 1969.
Kim will head a field of 78 top junior golfers competing in the 93rd Women’s Western Junior, conducted in partnership by the Women’s Western Golf Association and the Western Golf Association.
Kim won the 2018 title at Cincinnati Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio, defeating Macy Hanus of Bowling Green, Ohio, 3 and 2 in the 18-hole championship match.
The Women’s Western Junior has been a stepping stone for many junior golfers, who have moved on to become top amateur and college players. Among those expected to compete with Kim for the 2019 title are: UCLA verbal commit Yuki Yoshihara, Irvine, California; Kentucky incoming freshman Marissa Wenzler, Dayton, Ohio; and highly ranked Brooke Biermann, a high school junior from Wildwood, Missouri. Notable past champions include Cristie Kerr (1994), Grace Park (1993) and three-time Nancy Lopez (1972-74).
Many Indiana juniors will be participating in the event as well, including Westfield’s state champion golfer Jocelyn Bruch; Katelyn Kuc, Elizabeth Hedrick, Angelica and Christina Pfefferkorn and Sophie McGinnis of Carmel; Gabriella Gilrowski of Westfield; Chelsea Morrow of Fishers; Nathaly Munnicha of Columbus; Kiah Parrott of Kokomo; Yanah Rolston of Fortville; Maggie Schaffer of Indianapolis; Destynie Sheridan of Ft. Branch; Abby Thielbar of Zionsville and Abigail Whittington of Evansville.
“Woodland Country Club is a great partner of both the WWGA and WGA, and we’re excited to have the club hosting the Women’s Western Junior,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA senior vice president of tournaments. “This championship attracts some of the finest junior golfers in the country, and the course layout will provide an excellent championship challenge.”
The 1969 Western Junior hosted by Woodland C.C. was won by Mary Jane Fassinger, who later that same year finished runner up to Hollis Stacy in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.
“I’m very excited about the quality of the field this year. The Tournament Committee is especially happy that Janice Kim is returning to defend her 2018 title,” said Kim Schriver, Women’s Western Junior Public Relations Chairman. “There are many familiar players and contestants to introduce to the new tournament format. Woodland Country Club is a track that will test the players’ abilities. It’s also exciting to join forces with the WGA to provide a premier tournament experience. The young women are the future of golf, and we all can’t wait to watch them compete.”
Woodland Country Club, designed by renowned golf course architect Bill Diddel, opened in 1956. In 2002, legendary golf course architect, Pete Dye, unveiled his re-creation of Diddel’s original layout. Today, Woodland offers a design that will test the skills of players of all levels.
“We’re thrilled to host the Women’s Western Junior Championship,” said Patrick White, head professional at Woodland Country Club. “The membership is excited about the caliber of golfers the championship attracts and the prestige of hosting an event with such a rich history.”
For more information, visit www.womenswesternjunior.com
About the WWGA
The WWGA was founded in 1901 under the sponsorship of the Western Golf Association and is one of the oldest women’s golf organizations in the United States; it is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization established under guidelines set by the Internal Revenue Service. Each year, the WWGA hosts the Women’s Western Junior and Amateur Championships.
About the Western Golf Association
The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Golf, Illinois, was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. The WGA conducts six national golf championships and supports the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. To learn more about the organization and upcoming championship events, visit www.wgaesf.org.
Reigning girls golf state champion Jocelyn Bruch of Westfield will be among the Indiana juniors competing at the Women’s Western Junior, which will take place June 16-20 at Woodland Country Club in Carmel. (Richie Hall/File photo)