Sports

Colquitt’s Keith calls U.S. Amateur bid ‘surreal’

• Moultrie native Anna Leigh Keith makes an incredible shot on the 18^th hole for birdie late Monday which qualifed her for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

Derek Barichello

MOULTRIE — Moultrie's Anna Leigh Keith faced the biggest shot of her golf career Monday on the 18th hole in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship sectional qualifier at Horseshoe Bend Country Club in Roswell.

Knowing she needed the shot just to earn a spot, she was nervous and shaking heading in, though after a solid drive on the Par 5, her ball laid approximately 220 yards away from the pin with a menacing water hazard surrounding the green.

“I knew I needed a birdie," Keith said Monday when asked to reflect on the make-or-break hole. "I knew if I hit it a few feet short or to the left, I would be in the water.”

Instead, Keith stuck it, getting the score she needed — and as a result, she’s on her way to Eugene, Ore., for her first U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, which takes place Aug. 4-10.

“It’s surreal,” said Keith still in disbelief. “I feel like I pulled something out of nowhere.”

That's all because, while fighting those nerves, Keith took a 3-wood from her bag and hauled a shot over the water that bounced up onto the green.

From there, she two putted for birdie and finished with a 72 to qualify for the championship by just one stroke, meaning more than anything her gamble on No. 18 made the difference.

Adding to the tension, Keith did not know anyone else’s score as she wrapped up her round. All she knew is that she bogeyed No. 15 and 17 and she started to feel the round slipping away.

“I kind of lost my mind for a few holes,” Keith said. “I knew I just had to keep my composure.”

It was not until all the final scores were tallied in the clubhouse, Keith learned she was heading to Eugene to compete with the world’s best women amateurs in a tournament which has been known to vault careers of some of the sport’s top women stars. Morgan Pressell won it 2005, and Annika Sorenstam finished second in 1992.

“As soon as I heard, I was jumping up and down,” said Keith, who will be a senior at Colquitt County High School this coming year. “I was just really happy and giddy for awhile. My mom couldn’t believe it.”

Keith was one of 53 players competing for six spots and two alternate positions in the championship. Now, Keith is one of 156 players eligible for an amateur title and the only girl Georgian from Monday’s field to qualify for the national tournament.

Jaclyn Sweeney of Bradenton, Fla., shot a 4-under 68 to take the top qualifying position, while Haley Wilson of Fort Mitchell, Ala., shot a 70 and Stefanie Kenoyer of Lighthouse Point, Fla., had a 71. Keith, Stephanie Na of Adelaide, Australia and Amelia Lewis of Jacksonville, Fla., each shot a 72 to round out the qualifiers.

“I knew if I played well enough, I could get through,” Keith said. “I figured I would have to be under-par for the day, that’s why I went for it on (No.) 18.”

Now, Keith is looking ahead to her first-ever trip to Oregon.

On Aug. 4-5, the tournament will hold a 36-hole qualifier to name the top 64 in the field to the match play championships. From then on, the tournament will conclude in match play format.

“I’m going to go and play as well as I can,” Keith said. “I'd love to make it to match play. I just want to have fun and enjoy the moment. I’m not going to put any pressure on myself.”

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