Michigan Golf Journal February 2020

Michigan News and Notes MSU Senior Ally Geer-Park Qualifies for Her 2nd Augusta National Women’s Amateur Brighton native and MSU golfer Allison Geer-Park received and accepted an invitation from the ANWA Championship committee to play in her second Augusta National Women’s Amateur, April 1-4. She qualified based on ‘the top 30 players from the U.S. who are not otherwise qualified, based on the 2019 Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.’ Geer-Park played the inaugural event last year in the first two rounds off site, and the third-day practice round at Augusta National, but did not make the final field cut of 30 golfers playing for the inaugural ANWA title. It was won by Jennifer Kupcho, now a young star on the LPGA Tour. “I’m so excited to be returning to the ANWA this year,” she said. “I’m looking forward to taking the information and experiences from last year and making the most out of this final opportunity to play there as a senior.” The field is limited to 72 of the leading women amateurs in the world, so just making that list is a great feat. Michigan is one of only a dozen states represented in the ANWA. A 12-day run of the ANWA, the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, and the 84 th playing of The Masters Tournament caps off the festivities. Look for a full-length feature story on Geer-Park heading to Augusta next month in the March edition of Michigan Golf Journal. Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) President Emeritus Ron Gaines was named this year’s Yancey Ford Award recipient by Golfweek — USA Today Sports. Gaines was GAM president in 2011 and won the organization’s Distinguished Service Award in 2016. The Yancey Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to amateur golf, and especially senior amateur golf. Gaines is a longtime rules official for the USGA, Michigan PGA and GAM. GolfWeek Award: Ron Gaines