CHEVY CHASE, Maryland – The long wait finally ended for Westford sisters Morgan Smith and Molly Smith this week. The Smiths were supposed to play in the U.S. Women’s Four-Ball last year before it was canceled, and this week they were finally able to make their USGA debut together at the U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur at Columbia Country Club in Maryland.
Morgan, 17, and Molly, 16, are both teenage standouts at Westford Academy. The pair advanced through the 18-hole qualifier George Wright Golf Course in June. This added another chapter to their family success, as the sisters have won countless parent-child tournaments with their father, Phil. Molly added to that this year by winning Mass Golf’s Mixed Four-Ball Championship with her father back in May.
Through it all, being able to compete in the same event is comforting for the sisters.
“You go into summer and put the USGA events as a goal,” said Molly, who finished T5 in the New England Women’s Amateur last month. Morgan was 8th overall. “To have Morgan there, too, that’s kind of extra. It would have been less exciting if I was going alone or if she was going without me. It’s nice that we’re experiencing it together.”
Neither Smith sisters were able to make the top 64 for match play, but both had some strong moments. Morgan had two birdies in her first nine holes Monday, but improved by three strokes Tuesday by finishing with a 78.
Molly shot back-to-back 83s, but finished her second round strongly, picking up a pair of birdies on the front nine.
While the sisters weren’t able to advance to match play, both surely have plenty of keepsakes to take home with them.
Among the gifts waiting for the Smiths and all 156 competitors when they arrived at Columbia was a letter from former U.S. President Barack Obama, who is a member of Columbia Country Club.
Can I be in the field this week for the #USGirlsJunior?? pic.twitter.com/rjeMidV48s
— Julia Pine (@juliapine) July 10, 2021
The summer circuit is still filled with events for both sisters. Among Mass Golf events will be the 88th Massachusetts Girls’ Junior Amateur next week at The Orchards in South Hadley. In August, the Massachusetts Women’s Amateur will take place at Plymouth Country Club.
Monday, July 12 (18 holes, stroke play) – COMPLETED
Tuesday, July 13 (18 holes, stroke play) – IN PROGRESS
Wednesday, July 14 (Round of 64*, match play)
Thursday, July 15 (Round of 32 and Round of 16*, match play)
Friday, July 16 (Quarterfinals/Semifinals, match play)
Saturday, July 17 (Championship match, 36 holes)
The championship is open to female amateur golfers who will not have reached their 19th birthday on or before July 17, 2021, the final day of the championship, and have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 9.4.
Entries for the 2021 championship closed on May 19. The championship received 1,484 entries, marking the 11th consecutive U.S. Girls’ Junior to surpass 1,000.
The championship course at Columbia Country Club is widely recognized as a Walter Travis design. Travis, a pioneer in golf course architecture, amended the course in 1916 from the original design by Herbert Barker and Walter S. Harban.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Columbia hosting the 1921 U.S. Open Championship, won by Jim Barnes. The 1921 U.S. Open was the first USGA championship held at Columbia, and the club has gone on to host a number of state, regional and national golf championships, including the 2003 U.S. Junior Amateur, won by Brian Harman. The 2021 U.S. Girls’ Junior will be the third USGA championship played at Columbia.
STAY INFORMED
For More Information, visit MassGolf.org or Follow @PlayMassGolf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To join the conversation, be sure to use the hashtag #MassGolf and #USGirlsJunior
