SCGA Members Head To U.S. Women’s Four-Ball
May 05, 2015
They’re go-getters. They thrive on competition. They’re close friends. And now they’re heading to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort to play in the inaugural U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship.
SCGA and SCGA Youth on Course members Ashley Kim (16) and Marni Murez (17) have different golf backgrounds, but a shared passion for the game. Kim, a junior at Mira Costa HS in Manhattan Beach, has gone from beginner golfer in 2012 to four top-five finishes in the SCPGA’s Toyota Tour Cup in 2014. Murez, on the other hand, has been around golf since she was six, and started playing in tournaments at the age of 9. The duo play together on the Mira Costa golf team and are excited to head to Oregon for their first USGA event.
Murez (left) and Kim after their qualifying round at La Costa.
You shot a 70 at La Costa Resort in January to qualify for the championship. What was your strategy?
MM: We played a practice round at La Costa a week before and knew the course was going to be pretty difficult. Our strategy was to play smart, to communicate and have each other's backs. We did not start out great, but we kept to our plan and got some late birdies. I know Bandon will be a real challenge. So learning to be patient and understanding the course in the practice rounds will be very important.
This is your first USGA event. How are you preparing individually? As a team?
MM: With busy school and junior golf schedules we have been doing our usual individual practice routines, but we have played a few recent rounds together.
AK: The course has a lot of sand and wind, so I’m practicing really hard on my bunker shots and putting. As a team, we’re planning to have fun!
What part of competition do you enjoy most?
MM: We are both very competitive and test ourselves by playing harder courses and against the best players.
How does the Four-Ball format fit your game?
MM: We enjoy that in the right spots this format allows us to be more aggressive than in individual play.
AK: We work so well as a team. Plus, as friends, we get along and plan to make the best of the opportunity.
Do you have a strategy in place for the two 18-hole stroke play rounds?
AK: Our strategy is simple: hit the fairways and greens! If one of us has a bad shot, we know that the other person is there to help save the hole.
Have you studied the Pacific Dunes course at all? What are your first impressions?
MM: We have never been to Bandon Dunes before, so it will be a totally new experience. With two practice rounds scheduled, we’re ready to take really good course notes. We’ve also spoken to people who have been there and have a pretty good idea of what to expect. We’re looking forward to the challenge!
The inaugural U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship will also feature the following SCGA members. Starting times for Rounds 1 and 2, which will be held Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, are below. Stay tuned to scga.org to follow our members' journeys.
Danielle Lee (La Mirada)/Gigi Stoll – 1 p.m.(Round 1)/9:36 a.m. (Round 2)
Brooke Seay (San Diego)/Carolyn Zhao (San Diego) – 1:24 p.m./10 a.m.
Ashely Kim (Redondo Beach)/Marni Murez (Manhattan Beach) – 9:12 a.m./12:36 p.m.
Debbie Friede/Michelle Lint (Cardiff by the Sea) – 9 a.m./12:24 p.m.
Shannon Oh (Oceanside)/Texie Petchel (Murrieta) – 10:48 a.m./7:24 a.m.
Alyaa Abdulghany (Newport Beach)/Ellen Takada (Irvine) – 11 a.m./7:36 a.m.
Katherine Muzi (Walnut)/Patricia Wong (Walnut) – 8:36 a.m./12 p.m.
Briana Chacon (Whittier)/Hannah Zeman (Ontario) – 9:24 a.m./12:48 p.m.
Angel Yin (Arcadia)/Muni He (San Diego) – 9:48 a.m./1:12 p.m.
Hannah O’Sullivan/Robynn Ree (Redondo Beach) – 8 a.m./11:24 a.m.