June 17, 2010
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Fighting Irish women’s golfers Becca Huffer (Denver, Colo./Littleton) and Nicole Zhang (Calgary, Alberta/Bishop Carroll) have qualified to play in the 2010 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship (WAPL), which will be contested on Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course from June 21-26. Huffer just completed her sophomore year, while Zhang is an incoming freshman.
Huffer qualified for the prestigious tournament on May 26 when she shot a 77 at the Meadow Hills Golf Club in Aurora, Colo., to finish second and claim one of three qualifying spots from Meadow Hills. Zhang enters the field with an exemption based on her amateur ranking.
“Having two players competing on their home course is very exciting for the program,” said Irish head coach Susan Holt. “Becca has qualified for this event many times and I am happy that she is able to play this year on her college course. They are both great players and it will be fun to see how far they can get in the tournament once they qualify for match play.”
Huffer, is coming off one of the most statistically dominating seasons in program history and earned her second consecutive all-BIG EAST honor. For the season, Huffer recorded a 74.90 stroke average – the third-best single season mark in program history. She also saw all 30 of her rounds counted towards team scoring and led the Irish at six of their 11 tournaments. She finished in the top-20 at 10 of Notre Dame’s 11 events and narrowly missed individual qualification for the NCAA Championship field. But with her tie for 16th at the NCAA Central Regional, she turned in the best ever finish by a Notre Dame golfer in NCAA play.
“I would think Becca has a considerable advantage over the field with all the rounds she has played at the Warren,” added Holt.
Zhang is about to embark on a busy few weeks of golf. After taking part in the WAPL Championship, she will make her way to Oakmont, Pa., for the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open, which is taking place at the Oakmont Country Club on July 8-11. Zhang became the first member of the Notre Dame women’s golf program to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open when she finished fourth in a sectional qualifying event at the Pinnacle Peak Country Club in May.
“For Nicole, playing next week will allow her to get a head start on learning how to play the Warren as she prepares to join our team this fall,” continued Holt. “With Notre Dame hosting a fall tournament and the 2011 Women’s NCAA Central Regional, it will be great for Becca and Nicole to get in as many competitive rounds as possible on the Warren.”
The U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association. The tournament is open to amateur golfers who, since Jan. 1, 2010, have not held privileges at any private club maintaining its own course.
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