June 16, 2009
Vanderbilt women’s golfer Marina Alex qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open on Monday after finishing fourth in sectional qualifying at the Neshanic Valley Golf Club in Neshanic Station, N.J., with a score of 153 (75-78). The U.S. Women’s Open Championship takes place in Bethlehem, Pa., at the Saucon Valley Country Club July 9-12.
Alex shot 153 (75-78) in the 36-hole tournament and was the fourth qualifier out of Neshanic Station.
“I didn’t play particularly well Monday, but the golf course was playing extremely tough. I just had to grind it out,” said Alex.
Alex advanced to the sectional qualifier after garnering medalist honors at her local qualifier at the Forest Creek Golf Club in Pinehurst, N.C. She shot a 69 in the 18-hole event on June 2.
“I’ve been playing really well lately, from SEC’s to now. I’ve been happy with the way things have been going,” said Alex.
“From the time they pick up a golf club, this is the one tournament a girl dreams of playing in,” said Vanderbilt head women’s golf coach Greg Allen of the U.S. Women’s Open. “This is the pinnacle of golf as a female competitor.
“This caps off a great three months for Marina. This will be a great experience for her and it really shows how much she improved as the year went along.”
Two other Vanderbilt golfers, rising sophomore Andrea Messer and incoming freshman Anna Leigh Keith also advanced to sectional qualifying. Messer finished in a tie for 12th in Ormond Beach, Fla., after shooting a 154 (79-75), and Keith shot a 151 (75-76) to finish in a tie for 23rd at the Sanford, N.C., qualifer.
