Janess Wins Ann Arbor Qualifier, Trip to the US Women's Amateur
7/9/2024 3:10:00 PM | Women's Golf
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- With a two-under 69 on the U-M Golf Course, Mara Janess of the University odf Michigan women's golf team won her U.S. Women's Amateur qualifier Tuesday (July 9) securing a spot for the amateur championship set to be played the Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., from Aug. 5-10.
The Maize and Blue now have two Wolverines in the 156-golfer amateur field. Recent U-M graduate Hailey Borja has an exemption following her semifinal finish at the 2023 U.S. Women's Amateur played at the Bel Air Country Club (Los Angeles).
Janess will make her U.S. Women's Amateur and USGA debuts, while Borja will play in the prestigious amateur event for the fifth time in her career (2019, '20, '21, '23, '24).
With Janess and Borja qualifying, it gives U-M seven straight amateurs with a Wolverine in the field. Since 2000, U-M has had 15 Wolverines qualify for the national event.
Getting off to a strong start, Janess birdied three of her first four holes and closed the front side at three-under after a bogey on the fifth. A fourth birdie on the 11th followed with six straight back-nine pars helped her hold a two-shot lead heading to 18. Despite a bogey on the closing hole, Janess won medalist honors with her 69 (-1) -- one of two sub-par tallies.
Janess and Oakland's Bridget Boczar (70, -1) earned the two qualifying spots, while Caroline Whallon (University of Indianapolis) and Ashleigh Duflo (Findley) are the alternates after their even-par 71s.
Michigan was well represented with five Wolverines in the 45-golfer qualifier. Along with medalist Janess, Sydney Sung and Grace Wang tied for 20th (78), while Jenna Shilts and Lauren Sung tied for 26th (79).
Players Mentioned
