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Menne Set for Augusta National Women's Amateur

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Menne Set for Augusta National Women's AmateurMenne Set for Augusta National Women's Amateur
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Sun Devil Women's Golf standout Ashley Menne will represent Arizona State on an International stage at the Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA). 

The 2023 edition will once again give female amateur golfers the opportunity to play the iconic Augusta National Golf Course. This is the second consecutive year Menne has qualified for this prestigious event, doing so based on her standing in the United States amateur rankings.

"Going back is a dream come true once again," Menne reflected. "I look forward to this event every year and getting to play in it is special."

Menne recently wrapped up a sixth-place finish at the PING/ASU Invitational and immediately boarded a flight to get to Georgia to participate in festivities this week. The ANWA event begins Wednesday, March 29 giving Menne a few days to enjoy the experience.

In the 2022 edition, Menne was one of 30 golfers to make the initial cut after two rounds and earn the opportunity to play Augusta National Golf Course for a third round, which was broadcasted worldwide on NBC. 

"We are so proud of Ashley for receiving another invite to ANWA," Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye remarked. "She will do a great job of representing Sun Devil Women's Golf on an International stage."

IN THEIR OWN WORDS
"Augusta National is an amazing place. I am honored to go back and excited to see how I do this year." - Ashley Menne

"Returning after having played in this event last year will help because I kind of know what I am getting into. Having played Augusta now, twice, I think I am going to be a little more prepared. Just knowing what shots to practice and what I need to do to prep mentally and with my game." - Ashley Menne

"To have a Sun Devil at every version of the ANWA dating back to 2019 is a reflection of the strength of the program. We take pride in our ability to attract and develop the best golfers in the World." - Coach Farr-Kaye

SUN DEVIL HISTORY AT THE ANWA
Menne adds to a growing tradition of Sun Devils to compete at the Augusta National Women's Amateur. At least one member of the program has been involved in each year of the tournament dating back to 2019. Menne was one of three in the 2022 field, joined by current teammate Paula Schulz-Hanssen and Alexandra Forsterling. Schulz-Hanssen, one of the world's top amateurs, competed in two ANWAs before arriving in Tempe. Menne is now one of four Sun Devils to be invited to two ANWAs.

Alums Olivia Mehaffey and Linn Grant were each selected to compete in the first two editions of the event. In 2021, they made the cut after two rounds to advanced to Augusta National. Mehaffey (E/144) was tied for third, while Grant (+2/146) was not far behind in a tie for eighth. Mehaffey shot a championship-low 69 in round two to clinch her spot above the cut line. Grant opened the event with a 70 to end in a tie for first after the first round. In the 2019 version, Olivia Mehaffey put together a fantastic first two rounds, making the cut and eventually finishing tied for 23rd. Linn Grant hadn't yet arrived on campus in Tempe yet, but she still hung with some of the top young golfers. Grant improved her round by seven strokes from the first to second day, giving Sun Devil fans a glimpse of her poise and toughness. 
 
Mehaffey and Grant were joined by three other representatives of Sun Devil Women's Golf in the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur. Back in 2019, alums Sofia Anokhina and Alessandra Fanali participated along with current Sun Devil Amanda Linner. Fanali caught the attention of the golf world after firing an opening round 70, which put her in the Top-5 after the first day. Sofia Anokhina was one of two Sun Devils to make the cut, carding a clutch second-round 70 to earn a spot at Augusta National.

2023 - Ashley Menne
2022 - Ashley MenneAlexandra Forsterling, Paula Schulz-Hanssen
2021 - Olivia MehaffeyLinn Grant, Paula Schulz-Hanssen
2019 - Olivia MehaffeyLinn GrantAlessandra FanaliAmanda Linner, Sofia Anokhina

FORMAT
An international field of 72 women amateurs will compete over 54 holes of stroke play. A cut will take place after 36 holes, advancing the leading 30 players and ties to the final round at Augusta National Golf Club. In the event of a tie after 54 holes, the winner will be decided by sudden-death playoff.

SCHEDULE
The first 36 holes will be contested over two days on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., March 29 and 30, 2023. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round Friday, March 31. The final round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 1 and will feature the competitors who made the cut.

TV COVERAGE
New in 2023, the first and second rounds of the Augusta National Women's Amateur will be broadcast live on Golf Channel (10:30 AM - 12:30 PM MST) from Champions Retreat Golf Club. NBC Sports will produce and broadcast three hours (9 AM - 12 PM MST) of live final-round coverage of the event at Augusta National. Additionally, Golf Channel's "Live From the Masters" will commence on Friday, April 1 at Augusta National to provide coverage of the Augusta National Women's Amateur, the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals and the Masters Tournament.

PRIZE
Provided she remain an amateur, the 2023 Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion will receive an invitation to the next five Augusta National Women's Amateurs, the 2023 U.S. Women's Open, the 2023 Women's Open, and any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year.

ABOUT THE ANWA
The Augusta National Women's Amateur was announced on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, by Chairman Fred Ridley during his annual press conference at the Masters Tournament. The event was established to inspire greater interest and participation in the women's game by creating a new, exciting and rewarding pathway for these players to fulfill their dreams.

ASHLEY AT ASU
Junior Ashley Menne is putting together one of the most decorated starts to a career in the history of the Sun Devil Women's Golf program. She is already a two-time All-American, receiving the honor after each of her first two seasons. 

Menne already has nine Top-10 finishes midway through her junior year, including a Co-Championship at the Match in the Desert this Spring. She recently wrapped up a Top-10 finish at the PING/ASU Invitational, earning a tie for sixth in a loaded field. She finished tied for fourth at the Pac-12 Preview back in November, firing an opening round 66 (-7) to match her best career score vs. par. During the semester break, Menne notched a Top-10 finish at the Patriot All-American Golf Tournament.

During a standout sophomore campaign, Menne was a Top-10 finishers on four ocassions, including two second place finishes. She earned Silver at both the Lamkin Inviational and the PING/ASU Invitational in addition to tying for fifth at the Match in the Desert and seventh at the Stillwater Regional. 

She put together one of the best freshman seasons in program history, capping it with a fourth-place finish (-3/285) at the NCAA Championships. It was the highest finish by a Sun Devil at NCAA's since Monica Vaughn won the Individual Title back in 2017. Menne became the 23rd individual in the program since 1982 to finish in the Top-5, a list that includes current Associate Head Coach Michelle Estill.  She carded a historic third round of the NCAA Championship, carding a 65 (-7) to help ASU get into position to qualify for Match Play. The 65 matched Grace Park's record for a Sun Devil at a NCAA Championship and was tied for the third-lowest round in the history of the Arizona State program. Menne won her matchup 2&1 with Duke's Jaravee Boonchant, the only Sun Devil to do so.

HOW TO FOLLOW
Tickets to the Augusta National Women's Amateur are sold out following an online ticket application process. No tickets will be available at the gates. For more information, please visit ANWAgolf.com and follow the event's official social media channels (@ANWAgolf) across FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube and TikTok.

For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).