Morgan & Molly Smith Have Played Longer Courses To Prep For Their First U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship
For Immediate Release: May 11, 2023
For sisters Molly Smith & Morgan Smith, of Westford, a trip to the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship has been a long time coming. Back in October 2019, they qualified for the 2020 championship, which was later canceled due to COVID-19. Flash forward to 2023, and the college-bound siblings, typically competitors, are set to team up in a national four-ball together for the first time.
The championship begins Saturday, May 13, with the Smiths teeing off at 1:57 p.m. ET at The Home Course (6,487 yards), a prestine public course located about an hour south of Seattle that offers spectacular scenery of the Pacific Northwest.
“To be able to go into a tournament and be on the same team, be 100% in support of each other on every shot, and hoping every shot gets as close as possible is definitely going to be a different experience for us,” said University of Central Florida-commit Molly Smith during an interview on Golf Channel that aired Tuesday. Morgan has committed to Georgetown University.
Molly Smith, left, hits a drive while Morgan Smith watches on during the Mass Four-Ball Championship at Hyannisport Club. (Mass Golf)
At nearly 6,500 yards, this is the longest course that’s been used since the U.S. Women’s Four-Ball was introduced in 2015. Last year’s historic championship in Puerto Rico was set up to 6,335 yards.
But the Smiths are entering this year well-prepared. They made history in April by becoming the first all-female team to play in Mass Four-Ball together at Hyannisport Club and Bayberry Hills Golf Course, which were set up at 6,313 and 6,616 yards, respectively. The Smiths shot 4-under on the longer course, besting their own father Phil Smith and family friend Keith Stone in the 36-hole competition.
What’s more, Molly played and nearly advanced in U.S. Open Local Qualifying at LeBaron Hills, also set up around 6,500 yards. Smith shot 2-under and made it into a playoff for the alternate spots.
“A lot of high-level women’s events are getting longer,” Smith said after playing in U.S. Open Local Qualifying. “The LPGA’s Chevron Championship just played 6,800 yards. Going forward, this caliber of course is what we’ll be facing, so I like to challenge myself.”
“She’s the longest female hitter I’ve played with,” added Morgan, speaking to her sister’s power off the tee. “She’s an incredible putter, and she’s a confident golfer.”
Molly returned the favor crediting Morgan for her consistency in finding the middle of fairways as well strong iron play. Morgan, the reigning Mass Women’s Amateur champion, said if they can put both of their attributes together, they can perform well.
“The biggest thing for us is working together as a team,” Morgan said. “A lot of times we play against each other, and that’s a lot of fun and definitely has helped us become better golfers. In this event it’s using both of our assets and hopefully scoring the lowest score we can.”
Starting Times & Schedule
Morgan Smith (Westford) & Molly Smith (Westford)
Round 1: Tee 1 | 1:57 p.m. ET || Round 2: Tee 1 | 10:37 a.m. ET
Saturday, May 13 (18 holes, stroke play)
Sunday, May 14 (18 holes, stroke play)
Monday, May 15 (Round of 32, match play)
Tuesday, May 16 (Round of 16/quarterfinal matches)
Wednesday, May 17 (Semifinal matches/Championship match)
About The Home Course
The Home Course is cooperatively owned by the Pacific North West and Washington State Golf Associations. The land on which The Home Course was built was occupied by several Native American tribes known collectively as the Salish people. Following the arrival of European settlers, it housed a trading and supply center for the Hudson’s Bay Company. The PNGA’s historical research indicates that the company’s traders created a six-hole layout around a fort that may have been the first golf course in the Northwest.
A view of the par-3, 4th hole at The Home Course, as seen on June 26, 2022, in DuPont, WA. (USGA/Kirk H. Owens)
