University of Tennessee Athletics
Mariah Smith to Play in Inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur
January 22, 2019 | Women's Golf
Tennessee sophomore one of 72 players in the international field the week before the Masters Tournament
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee women's golf sophomore Mariah Smith has accepted an invitation to compete in the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur from April 3-6.
Set the week before the Masters Tournament in April, the international field of 72 players will compete over 54 holes of stroke play, with a cut to 30 players taking place after 36 holes.
"It's such an honor to be able to receive an invitation to play in this tournament," Smith said. "I just know how big of a deal this is just knowing that I'm going to be one of the first women to play this course that legends have walked on. I just kept thinking about how I was going to walk the same fairways and greens as golf legends. Honestly, it is still surreal to me."
The first two rounds will take place on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club Wednesday, April 3 and Thursday, April 4. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round Friday, April 5.
The final round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 6 and will feature the competitors who made the cut.
"This is a huge opportunity for Mariah," Coach Judi Pavon said. "When she called Friday and she said that she was invited. I was just through the roof excited. I was also excited for Tennessee to be represented at that tournament. It's right before the Masters so, it could not be more of an amazing opportunity for her. It will be something that will motivate her to work hard all spring."
Smith is coming off of a summer where she claimed the 86th Tennessee Women's Amateur Championship. She qualified as the No. 3 seed in match play after opening rounds of 75 and 72. She advanced to the finals of match play where she defeated Middle Tennessee State's Jenna Burris 1-up to capture the title.
So far this season, Smith is third on the team in stroke average with a mark of 74.23 while tying for the team lead with four rounds under par. In 10 rounds in the Lady Vols lineup this season, her score has counted nine times.
She was a key part in Tennessee's Starmount Classic victory as she tied for fourth in the competition with a season-low score of 219 over 54 holes. Smith's other top-25 finish came at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate where she tied for 18th with a three-round score of 221.
"I'm really excited to play in the tournament and to be able to meet and play alongside some of the other great women," Smith said. "My favorite hole would have to be No. 12 because it is beautiful. I can't imagine how I'm going to feel standing on that hole. Regardless of what happens, I'm am just thankful for this opportunity to play this course and to be apart of this tournament especially since it is the first one."
NBC Sports will produce and broadcast three hours (Noon – 3 pm ET) of live final-round coverage of the event at Augusta National. Golf Channel will deliver on-site highlights, live reports and news coverage throughout the event. Additionally, Golf Channel's "Live From the Masters" will commence on Friday, April 5 at Augusta National to provide coverage of the Augusta National Women's Amateur.
Set the week before the Masters Tournament in April, the international field of 72 players will compete over 54 holes of stroke play, with a cut to 30 players taking place after 36 holes.
"It's such an honor to be able to receive an invitation to play in this tournament," Smith said. "I just know how big of a deal this is just knowing that I'm going to be one of the first women to play this course that legends have walked on. I just kept thinking about how I was going to walk the same fairways and greens as golf legends. Honestly, it is still surreal to me."
The first two rounds will take place on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club Wednesday, April 3 and Thursday, April 4. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round Friday, April 5.
The final round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 6 and will feature the competitors who made the cut.
"This is a huge opportunity for Mariah," Coach Judi Pavon said. "When she called Friday and she said that she was invited. I was just through the roof excited. I was also excited for Tennessee to be represented at that tournament. It's right before the Masters so, it could not be more of an amazing opportunity for her. It will be something that will motivate her to work hard all spring."
Smith is coming off of a summer where she claimed the 86th Tennessee Women's Amateur Championship. She qualified as the No. 3 seed in match play after opening rounds of 75 and 72. She advanced to the finals of match play where she defeated Middle Tennessee State's Jenna Burris 1-up to capture the title.
So far this season, Smith is third on the team in stroke average with a mark of 74.23 while tying for the team lead with four rounds under par. In 10 rounds in the Lady Vols lineup this season, her score has counted nine times.
She was a key part in Tennessee's Starmount Classic victory as she tied for fourth in the competition with a season-low score of 219 over 54 holes. Smith's other top-25 finish came at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate where she tied for 18th with a three-round score of 221.
"I'm really excited to play in the tournament and to be able to meet and play alongside some of the other great women," Smith said. "My favorite hole would have to be No. 12 because it is beautiful. I can't imagine how I'm going to feel standing on that hole. Regardless of what happens, I'm am just thankful for this opportunity to play this course and to be apart of this tournament especially since it is the first one."
NBC Sports will produce and broadcast three hours (Noon – 3 pm ET) of live final-round coverage of the event at Augusta National. Golf Channel will deliver on-site highlights, live reports and news coverage throughout the event. Additionally, Golf Channel's "Live From the Masters" will commence on Friday, April 5 at Augusta National to provide coverage of the Augusta National Women's Amateur.
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