WESTMINSTER, Colo. — BYU women's golfer Berlin Long fired a 2-under 70 on Wednesday at Walnut Creek Preserve Golf Club to earn a spot in the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship at Bel Air Country Club, August 7-12.
"I am super excited to be able to play in the United States Women’s Amateur," Long said. "As a junior golfer, I qualified for every national tournament except the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur which makes this opportunity even more special."
Long, a rising sophomore, teed it up at the Westminster qualifying site where five qualifying spots were available. Long carded an eagle and three birdies en route to a 2-under 70 to finish in a tie for second, earning herself a spot in the 156-player field at Bel-Air Country Club.
"Being able to compete for a national championship, especially after qualifying in my first attempt, is going to be an amazing experience," Long said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to play in this event and to be able to compete with the best amateurs in the world at such a prestigious golf course."
The United States Golf Association holds five national championships for female, amateur golfers from around the world, with the U.S. Women's Amateur being the most prestigious of these events.
The 2023 edition of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship will be the 123rd playing of the event and the first hosted by Bel-Air Country Club. Five previous USGA Championships have been held at the Bel-Air Country Club including the 2004 U.S. Senior Amateur, 1976 U.S. Amateur and three Southern California Golf Association Amateurs (1991, 1934, 1929).
The championship will begin with two rounds of stroke-play qualifying (Aug. 7-8) to determine the 64-player match-play field. The round of 64 will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 9 with the rounds 32 and 16 being played on Thursday, Aug. 10. The quarterfinals will be played on Friday, Aug. 11 with the semifinals being contested on Saturday, Aug. 12.
The 36-hole championship match will take place on Sunday, Aug. 13 with the champion receiving the gold medal and custody of the Robert Cox Trophy for one year. The winner also receives an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Women's Open, the next 10 U.S. Women's Amateur Championships, an invitation to the 2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur and likely exemptions into the LPGA Tour's Chevron Championship, AIG Women's British Open and Amundi Evian Championship.
More information about the 2023 U.S. Women's Amateur can be found at usga.org.