Of the 72 golfers at the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, 11 are alumnae of LPGA*USGA Girls Golf. Each of these players built a strong foundation on and off the course thanks to being a member at one of the hundreds of Girls Golf sites across the country, competing on the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour, or both.
“Girls Golf shaped me as a person and golfer through the endless support of coaches throughout the program,” said Antonia Malate, Girls Golf – First Tee – Monterey County alumna and San Jose State University grad student. “Being around influential coaches and other girls who loved the game of golf shaped me into the person I am today.”
Founded in 1989, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf teaches girls between the ages of 6-17 the fundamentals of the game, as well as valuable life and leadership skills. At the heart of the program is the desire to create a place where every girl feels valued, appreciated, respected, supported and safe.
Emilia Migliaccio of the United States plays a shot from the No. 10 tee during the Augusta National Practice Round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, Friday, April 5, 2019.
Emilia Migliaccio found all this and more through the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour. Looking back on her childhood, the Wake Forest grad student credits the tour as being the first place where she didn’t feel insecure about playing golf.
When asked what she would tell her six-year-old self if given the chance, Migliaccio said, “I would tell her, ‘Golf is going to become a cool sport, I promise.’ Because I would get made fun of a little bit for playing golf and was a little bit insecure about it.
“I remember my mom always told me, ‘Don’t worry, Emilia. You’ll be cool soon.’ So that’s what I would tell my six-year-old self. ‘Golf is a really cool sport. You should love it, and don’t worry because you’ll be at ANWA one year.’ “
Not only did Migliaccio make it to ANWA one year, but she’s since qualified every year of the tournament since it debuted in 2019. The four-time participant’s best finish came in 2021, where she finished second after falling in a sudden-death playoff.
Having the confidence to compete on one of the biggest stages in golf wouldn’t have been possible without Migliaccio’s time spent on the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour with girls just like her.
“Golf started feeling cool when I started playing on the tour and there were other girls with tan lines like mine,” Migliacco said. “That definitely game me confidence in what I was doing and also provided the foundation of what allowed me to be here today.”
Amanda Sambach of the United States plays her stroke from the No. 12 tee during a practice round for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, Friday, April 2, 2021.
Two-time ANWA participant Amanda Sambach found a similar community through Girls Golf.
“Girls Golf shaped me as a person through tournaments, getting to be around other girls, and by providing role models who helped me learn important characteristics on and off the course like kindness and humility,” said Sambach, a sophomore at the University of Virginia.
Fellow Girls Golf alumnae and ANWA participants Phoebe Brinker, Jensen Castle, Laney Frye, Megha Ganne and Anna Morgan shared similar sentiments in regard to the connections and friendships the program provides.
Ashley Menne of the United States plays her stroke from the No. 4 tee during the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 2, 2022.
Girls Golf is not only an inspiring program, but it’s one that is designed to make golf fun and provide participants with lifelong memories.
Arizona State University junior Ashley Menne was a member of the Girls Golf Phoenix chapter, which is one of the biggest sites in the country.
“I have so many positive memories from hanging out with my friends and learning to enjoy the game of golf without the pressure from competing,” Menne said. “All the events were meant to be fun, like glow-in-the-dark golf each Halloween, which was something I always looked forward to.”
University of Virginia junior Jennifer Cleary prepares to tee off on No. 17 at Champions Retreat Golf Club during the second round of the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Whether it’s learning the game and having fun or taking on leadership opportunities and supporting the next generation of golfers, girls can get whatever they want out of the program. With that said, the girls who choose the latter are often the ones who find the most success on and off the course.
“I’m proud that I’m more than just a golfer,” said Jennifer Cleary, Girls Golf alumna and University of Virginia junior. “While I’ve accomplished a lot on the golf course, including qualifying for ANWA, I’ve surrounded myself with people who push me to be a better person. That rings true especially in college, where I’ve grown academically and emotionally.”
These 11 Girls Golf alumnae are inspiring in their own right, and they certainly don’t take this opportunity to promote the women’s game for granted.
“This week is about showcasing women’s golf so that younger generations have role models to look up to,” said Rachel Kuehn, Girls Golf alumna, three-time ANWA participant and Wake Forest University junior. “There’s just something special about knowing we have the chance to inspire the next generation of girls.”
Rachel Kuehn of the United States with her caddie on the No. 4 tee during the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 2, 2022.
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