It’s one of the biggest weeks in women’s golf- where 144 of the world’s best female golfers will tee it up in the 73rd US Women’s Open played at Shoal Creek Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama.<\/p>\n
And, for the first time in tour history, FIVE PKBGT alumni will be among those in the field. Alumni include Katelyn Dambaugh (’13), Jillian Hollis (’15), Emilia Migliaccio (’17), Jennifer Chang (’17) and Gina Kim (’18).<\/p>\n
Dambaugh, who hails from Goose Creek, SC and currently plays on the LPGA Tour, punched her ticket to this year’s open at a sectional qualifier played at Dunwoody Country Club this past month. Dambaugh made her way to the LPGA Tour after finishing in the top 10 of the LPGA Symetra Tour’s Volvik Race for the Card and is currently ranked 93rd on the LPGA Tour money list. Dambaugh is also a 2- time PKBGT Champion.<\/p>\n
Hollis, a native of Rocky River, OH recently finished her junior year at the University of Georgia. Hollis finished 2nd at the Westminster, CO sectional qualifier to earn her spot in the Open. The event will be Hollis’ professional debut as she chose to forgo her senior year to attempt to earn her LPGA Tour Card. In addition, Hollis won the 2013 PKBGT Open Championship at Salisbury Country Club.<\/p>\n
Miggliacio, a rising sophomore at Wake Forest University, qualified as an alternate at the Carolina’s sectional qualifier at Bermuda Run CC, but was later granted a spot in the field. Miglaccio, who is currently ranked 30th in the world (World Amateur Golf Ranking) was named the ACC Freshman of the Year and made the WCGA 2nd Team All American team. Miglaccio is a 2-Time PKBGT Champion, including the 2014 PKBGT Invitational title.<\/p>\n
Chang, a freshman at the University of Southern California, hails from Cary, NC and qualified as an alternate at the Pleasant Hills, CA sectional qualifier. Like Migliaccio, Chang was later granted a spot in the field. Chang led the USC trojans to an NCAA Championship appearance this year, where she finished T13 in medal play. She is a 3-time PKBGT Champion.<\/p>\n
Rounding out the 5 is long time PKBGT member (former) Gina Kim of Chapel Hill, NC. Kim, who is signed to play for Duke University in the fall, qualified amongst many LPGA Tour professionals at the Richmond, VA sectional qualifier. Kim is currently ranked 5th in the Golfweek jr girls rankings and is a 6-time PKBGT Champion.<\/p>\n