No. 1 in the world, Augusta invite: Honors roll in for Gamecocks freshman golfer
University of South Carolina freshman Pauline Roussin-Bouchard experienced a day for a lifetime Monday, first climbing to No. 1 among women in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, then receiving an invitation to compete in the second Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April.
Joining Roussin-Bouchard, a native of Carqueiranne, France, on the Augusta invitation list are Natalie Srinivasan, a Furman senior from Spartanburg; and Paula Kirner, a high school senior from Lorsch, Germany who has signed to play for USC this fall.
“Receiving the opportunity to play in the premier event in women’s amateur golf is exciting,” USC coach Kalen Anderson said. “They don’t just give those invitations away. Players have to earn them.”
The top 50 players in the World Amateur Golf Rankings will be among the 72 players invited for the Augusta tournament April 1-4. Points are awarded based on tournament finishes over the past 104 weeks. The field competes over 36 holes at Champions Retreat Golf Club before the low 30 move to storied Augusta National Golf Club for the final round.
Roussin-Bouchard moved to No. 1 based on five wins and 15 top-10 finishes in her 32 events. One of those victories came in her second collegiate tournament, the Windy City Collegiate. She also tied for third in the Landfall Tradition, and USC won the team title in both.
Kirner is 43rd in the world rankings and Srinivasan, who has two collegiate wins this fall, is 46th.
Anderson planned the Gamecocks’ spring season around the Augusta tournament in order to be sure her players could compete if invited.
“It’s such an exciting opportunity for a player, and the tournament provides such huge exposure for women’s golf and for our players,” she said. “The officials at Augusta National create an unforgettable experience.”
Anderson caddied for former USC star Ainhoa Olarra, who finished 11th in the Augusta tourney a year ago, and related a scene that will be etched in players’ memories forever.
“We were on the practice tee warming up for the for the final round when (officials) opened the gates for patrons,” she said. “Masses of people came in and the players were in awe at the size for the crowd.
“If they didn’t know before, they realized then what a big deal the Augusta National Women’s Amateur is. There were more fans than at most professional events.”
Roussin-Bouchard came to Carolina with impressive credentials that included three individual victories in high-profile European tournaments early in 2019. She has not disappointed, Anderson said.
“Pauline has length, is an excellent ball-striker and excellent putter,” the coach said. “When she gets into position to score, she scores. It’s not by accident; she works hard.
“She is detail-oriented in planning her practices and doesn’t show up without a purpose. Her golf maturity is very different and that’s what will make her a good pro one day. Yet, she is a better teammate; she brings great energy and is upbeat and positive.”
Having one Gamecock and one future Gamecock in the prestigious Augusta tournament obviously pleases Anderson, whose squad is currently ranked eighth nationally by Golfstat. But there’s more to the team.
“Pauline’s reaching No. 1 is outstanding, but we have great depth,” she said, noting that Roussin-Bouchard, Emily Price, Lois Kaye Go and Ana Pelaez all led or shared the team lead in the four fall tournaments. “The future is very bright.”
Chip shots. Special award recipients at South Carolina Golf Day included the Women’s South Carolina Golf Association, the Top Fazio Service to Golf award; Chris Miller, the Charles Drawdy Distinguished Service award; and Seabrook Island Club, SCGA Club of the Year award. . . . USC women’s golfer Ana Pelaez celebrated the winter break by winning the Copa Andalucia tourney in Malaga, Spain. . . . Mason Tucker (boys/Lancaster) and Muskan Uppal (girls/Belmont, N.C.) have been named recipients of the 2019 David Parrott Award by the CGA. The award is given annually to the Carolinas Team player who displays excellence in sportsmanship, ability and academic excellence and is presented by Larry and Joy Parrott (Camden) in honor of their son David.