Augusta National Women’s Amateur: In Future Years Practice Rounds May Be Played Following Tournament’s Conclusion

Always looking to fine tune their approach, the committee charged with running the Augusta National Women’s Amateur is considering moving the tournament’s practice round to a different day.

Currently, the “ANWA” underway near Augusta plays two competitive rounds at Champions Retreat and a 36-hole cut is made. The tournament is then stopped to allow the entire field a practice round at Augusta National whether or not the player has made it to Saturday’s final round.

The unusual tournament structure was created to avoid a club tradition.

“Johnny Harris has a popular Scotch foursomes game on Wednesday’s,” said a club source. “So moving the practice round to before the tournament just isn’t in the cards. Speaking of which, Trophy Room card games are also a big part of Mr. Harris’s Wednesday game.”

While playing the practice round after a winner has been decided might seem peculiar, sources within the club think it could make for great television despite the excitement created at the inaugural ANWA where Maria Fassi and Jennifer Kupcho dueled.  

“The Club has looked at how the Par-3 Contest has turned into a family affair,” said the source. “Seeing the women smiling in a more relaxed setting and charting the greens could really grow the women’s game.”