The Augusta National Women’s Amateur is here, and so is last year’s defending champion, Lottie Woad. This year marks the tournament’s sixth edition, bringing together the best female amateurs from around the world, all looking to etch their names in history down Magnolia Lane. While we wait for the thrilling competition to begin this Wednesday, it’s worth looking back at how this event, which is now a staple in women’s golf, was once met with skepticism, even by some of its biggest supporters.
One of them was journalist Amanda Balionis. Back when Augusta National first announced the creation of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA), Balionis, like many, assumed it would take years for the tournament to really make its mark. But as it turned out, she couldn’t have been more wrong.
In a recent appearance on the Under the Umbrella YouTube series, hosted by Kira K. Dixon, Balionis reflected on her experience covering the event and how it has far surpassed initial expectations. “I’m not exaggerating this when I say covering the Augusta National Women’s Amateur has been like one of the joys of my life,” she admitted.
Her initial doubts weren’t about the talent of the players—she knew the skill level was there. But golf, as a sport, tends to move slowly when it comes to change. She assumed it would take a while for ANWA to truly gain the attention it deserved. “I remember when Chairman Ridley announced the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and thinking, this is amazing, and I can’t wait for it to make an impact in five or six years down the road. I can’t wait for people to start paying it. It’s going to take time a little bit like everything does seemingly in the game. But I know that eventually, this will make its mark.”
Turns out, “eventually” came a lot sooner than expected
The Moment that changed everything
The tournament’s debut in 2019 delivered an unforgettable final round—one that flipped Balionis’ expectations on their head. Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi went head-to-head in a battle that had everything: skill, drama, and a sportsmanship moment that left a lasting impact on the sport. “That final round with Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi, and eagling 13. I mean, what those two did on that final stretch was, skill-wise, not only absolutely incredible, but the way that they handled themselves, right, the way they supported each other,” Balionis recalled.
It wasn’t just about the shots they made. It was about how they carried themselves—the energy, the respect, the mutual celebration of each other’s game. “Those iconic photos of those two walking side by side down the fairway, fist-pumping each other, encouraging each other, understanding the moment that they found themselves in, and the significance of it, I don’t think it was lost on either of them,” she reflected.
The golf world took notice. The ratings soared. The buzz lingered long after the tournament ended. Suddenly, ANWA wasn’t just another amateur event—it was the event. “This thing just had a meteoric rise in a way that I have not seen since covering golf, and this immediate impact was made,” Balionis admitted.
Fast forward to last year, and ANWA continued to outdo itself. Lottie Woad’s clutch three-birdie finish to win was another reminder of how far the tournament had come. “Lottie Woad, who’s now coming in as world number one this week, she birdied three of her final four holes to beat Bailey Shoemaker, who shot a bogey-free 66 at Augusta National. A bogey-free 66. That was better by one stroke than what Jennifer Kupcho did in that first year, which at the time felt absolutely unbeatable.”
At this point, there’s no more questioning whether ANWA belongs in the golf world. It’s already proven itself. “This is stuff that when you’re thinking about it, and you remove the names, you’re thinking, what Masters was that? I would love to see that,” Balionis added.
From her initial doubts to becoming one of the tournament’s biggest advocates, Balionis has witnessed firsthand how ANWA has defied expectations. As the sixth edition of the tournament unfolds, one thing is certain—this is no longer just a promising event. It’s a premier stage for women’s amateur golf, and it’s only getting bigger.
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