Masters chairman Fred Riley has announced that women will be invited to play at Augusta in a new event next year : the Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship.
Competing will be "best 72 players in the world," finishing at Augusta National the Saturday prior to Masters week, one day before the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship.
"Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts left behind a legacy of always trying to contribute meaningfully to the game of golf," Ridley said. "The Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship embodies that principle, and we believe this event will have a significant and lasting impact on the future of the women's game. Our hope and expectation is that this event will further energize those who already love the sport and inspire others through the dream of competing at Augusta National"
Remember Augusta National was always an all-male club until 2012 when a select few high profile female members were admitted.
The stroke-play event will be 54 holes, with the field determined by winners of recognized championships and placement on the Women's World Amateur Golf Ranking. The first 36 holes will take place on Thursday and Friday at Champions Retreat Golf Club nearby, with 30 players making the cut and advancing to the final round at Augusta National on the Saturday.
"We have an obligation to give back to the game," Ridley said. "In recent years, we've been able to do a lot more."
The event will clash with the first major of the LPGA season, the ANA Inspiration, but Ridley was quick to point out he sees it as an addition and not an alternative, calling it "a win for women's golf."
Spectators, or I suppose Amateur patrons will only be able to get tickets via a lottery.
"Golf is a great game," Ridley said. "Hopefully it is colorblind, is blind to gender. I think golf is in a great place right now. I've never been a part of this week where there is any more excitement. I hope today has added a little more excitement to this week."
LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam applauded the announcement.
"I think this is fantastic for women's golf," she said. "It doesn't get much better than that."
Bryan Angus
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