Writing from Naperville, Illinois
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Catherine Park is as happy-go-lucky as they come. She laughs easily and often.
Don’t, however, confuse the demeanor of the Santa Ana, Calif., resident with how she plays. When Park sticks a tee in the ground, she’s all business.
So far, her business adds up to success in the 123rd Women’s Western Amateur at White Eagle Golf Club. Wednesday’s 2-under 70 brought her to 10-under 134 for the 36-hole qualifying session and earned her the medalist’s title in advance of Thursday’s commencement of match play.
“Putting was the key,” Park, who is entering her sophomore year at Southern California, said with the authority of a veteran. “It’s knowing the greens and knowing where to attack.”
For Park, who earned the medal by two strokes over Bentley Cotton of Austin, Tex., and the Texas Longhorns, that meant 14 birdies in 36 holes. And now it means changing the plan of attack from stroke play to match play. Or does it?
“I still play the course,” Park said.
Cotton matched Park’s 70 on Wednesday, while Jasmine Koo, an incoming freshman at USC, finished third after an even-par 72 for 7-under 137.
Defending champion Taglao Jerravivitaporn of Thailand made match play at even-par 144. Marissa Wenzler, the 2021 champion, scored 3-over 147 and missed the cut by a stroke.
Grace Curran of New Lenox and Minnesota is the low Illinois resident at 2-under 142. Sarah Arnold of Geneva was the other Illinoian to advance, scoring 1-over 145 through 36 holes.
Around White Eagle
The field averaged 75.21 strokes on the 6,325-yard par-72 layout across 36 holes. … Two matches Thursday and two more Friday means the final is slated for Saturday morning.
– Tim Cronin