Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Represents on International Stage at Augusta National
3/29/2022 12:00:00 PM | Women's Golf
The Augusta National Women's Amateur has been played twice, and both times a Demon Deacon was in contention to the finish.
In 2019, Wake Forest golfer Jennifer Kupcho outdueled Arkansas' María Fassi in the final round, coming away with a four-stroke victory in the inaugural event. Two years later, it was Emilia Migliaccio who finished second, finishing behind Tsubasa Kajitani in a playoff.
It's hard not to like the Deacs chances this year, as Wake Forest sends four golfers to compete in the 54-hole ANWA that begins Wednesday morning. Wake Forest is one of only two schools in the country to have four or more players competing.
"This is the most exciting time of the year for all of us," Wake Forest golf coach Kim Lewellen said. "We've been playing really well and had an individual winner at every event prior to this weekend. It's been an exciting time for Deac golf. We've played well and still have room for improvement. They want to play well and win championships."
Migliaccio, who is taking classes at Wake Forest this semester and will return to the team for next season, will play in the ANWA, along with fellow Deacs Lauren Walsh, Carolina Chacarra and Rachel Kuehn.
"She was runner up last year, and I think she's excited to play again this year," Lewellen said about Migliaccio. "Rachel and Carolina played last year. They will know the Champions Course. My understanding is that they've redone some of those greens, so they will be a little firmer. That plays well for those two players, who hit the ball long off the tee. They will have shorter irons to get in.
"Then Lauren Walsh will be playing for the first time this year. She's really excited about it. Her whole family is coming over, and they haven't been over since Covid hit Ireland. She has a five-year old younger brother who can't wait to get over here. We're excited to have a lot of family around."
A grueling, yet exciting part of the schedule looms large for the Demon Deacons. The ACC Championship takes place in just two weeks, with NCAA Regional action starting in early May. The NCAA Championship is scheduled May 20-25 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
"This gives them competition on really good golf courses," Lewellen said about the ANWA. "I can try to simulate that here on our home course, but to be able to go play that event with that notoriety and fanbase, I can't simulate anything like that. It's a great opportunity for them, but also prepares us for the championships coming up.
"The last two showings, we've had the winner and runner-up. I love the event. I can't wait for the next few weeks. It's my favorite time of the year. I have such good memories at Augusta."
Migliaccio will be competing in the 71-player event for the third time and is the highest finishing returner in the field.
"I'm so excited to compete again," she said. "All the adrenaline and excitement are why you compete. You don't play sports to practice on the range. I'm super excited. I've enjoyed this time away from competition, focusing on school and my work with The Golf Channel. I've been preparing my mind and my game. I'm excited to compete and we'll see what happens."
Originally conflicted between working the event as a reporter for The Golf Channel or competing, a chat with associate athletic director Dwight Lewis proved to be influential.
"You're going to have all your life to report, if that's what you decide to do; but this might be one of your last chances to compete in this event," Lewis advised Migliaccio.
"When he told me that, it was an easy decision," Migliaccio said. "I needed to hear that, and I couldn't be more excited to compete. It was the best decision for me.
Though she hasn't been competing with the No. 3 ranked Demon Deacons this season, Migliaccio has been preparing for the ANWA.
"Most of my practice has consisted of a little bit of maintenance and then working on technique; but that's just about 20 percent of my practice," she said. "The rest is performance-based drills."
All four Deacs are focused on making a deep run in the tournament, but also on doing it together as a team.
"We've all been talking about it and are super excited," Migliaccio said. "They're all really good players, so I don't know how much advice they need from me. We're just all excited to be there together, and that's the main thing we're looking forward to. We're going to enjoy the experience of competing in the biggest amateur event in the world, together.
"We all want to play really well and be in that final group. Then whoever comes on top, comes on top. But we want to play each other at our best games. That's why they're excelling as a team right now, because they have such a great mindset and have incredible energy together."
The Augusta National Women's Amateur tees off Wednesday, March 29. The first two rounds, Wednesday and Thursday, will be played at the Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta. The top 30 players will advance to the final round on Saturday, April 2, played at Augusta National. Although, all players will be able to participate in a closed practice round on Friday at Augusta.
Television Broadcast Information
NBC Sports will produce and broadcast three hours of live final-round coverage at Augusta National from Noon – 3 p.m. EDT on April 2, 2022.
NBC Sports will also provide pre-event promotion across NBCUniversal's portfolio, while Golf Channel will deliver highlights, live reports and news coverage throughout the event, including onsite during the first two competitive rounds at Champions Retreat.
Additionally, Golf Channel's "Live from the Masters" will commence on Friday, April 1 from Augusta National and wrap ANWA coverage on Saturday, April 2 and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on Sunday, April 3.
In 2019, Wake Forest golfer Jennifer Kupcho outdueled Arkansas' María Fassi in the final round, coming away with a four-stroke victory in the inaugural event. Two years later, it was Emilia Migliaccio who finished second, finishing behind Tsubasa Kajitani in a playoff.
It's hard not to like the Deacs chances this year, as Wake Forest sends four golfers to compete in the 54-hole ANWA that begins Wednesday morning. Wake Forest is one of only two schools in the country to have four or more players competing.
"This is the most exciting time of the year for all of us," Wake Forest golf coach Kim Lewellen said. "We've been playing really well and had an individual winner at every event prior to this weekend. It's been an exciting time for Deac golf. We've played well and still have room for improvement. They want to play well and win championships."
Migliaccio, who is taking classes at Wake Forest this semester and will return to the team for next season, will play in the ANWA, along with fellow Deacs Lauren Walsh, Carolina Chacarra and Rachel Kuehn.
"She was runner up last year, and I think she's excited to play again this year," Lewellen said about Migliaccio. "Rachel and Carolina played last year. They will know the Champions Course. My understanding is that they've redone some of those greens, so they will be a little firmer. That plays well for those two players, who hit the ball long off the tee. They will have shorter irons to get in.
"Then Lauren Walsh will be playing for the first time this year. She's really excited about it. Her whole family is coming over, and they haven't been over since Covid hit Ireland. She has a five-year old younger brother who can't wait to get over here. We're excited to have a lot of family around."
A grueling, yet exciting part of the schedule looms large for the Demon Deacons. The ACC Championship takes place in just two weeks, with NCAA Regional action starting in early May. The NCAA Championship is scheduled May 20-25 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
"This gives them competition on really good golf courses," Lewellen said about the ANWA. "I can try to simulate that here on our home course, but to be able to go play that event with that notoriety and fanbase, I can't simulate anything like that. It's a great opportunity for them, but also prepares us for the championships coming up.
"The last two showings, we've had the winner and runner-up. I love the event. I can't wait for the next few weeks. It's my favorite time of the year. I have such good memories at Augusta."
Migliaccio will be competing in the 71-player event for the third time and is the highest finishing returner in the field.
"I'm so excited to compete again," she said. "All the adrenaline and excitement are why you compete. You don't play sports to practice on the range. I'm super excited. I've enjoyed this time away from competition, focusing on school and my work with The Golf Channel. I've been preparing my mind and my game. I'm excited to compete and we'll see what happens."
Originally conflicted between working the event as a reporter for The Golf Channel or competing, a chat with associate athletic director Dwight Lewis proved to be influential.
"You're going to have all your life to report, if that's what you decide to do; but this might be one of your last chances to compete in this event," Lewis advised Migliaccio.
"When he told me that, it was an easy decision," Migliaccio said. "I needed to hear that, and I couldn't be more excited to compete. It was the best decision for me.
Though she hasn't been competing with the No. 3 ranked Demon Deacons this season, Migliaccio has been preparing for the ANWA.
"Most of my practice has consisted of a little bit of maintenance and then working on technique; but that's just about 20 percent of my practice," she said. "The rest is performance-based drills."
All four Deacs are focused on making a deep run in the tournament, but also on doing it together as a team.
"We've all been talking about it and are super excited," Migliaccio said. "They're all really good players, so I don't know how much advice they need from me. We're just all excited to be there together, and that's the main thing we're looking forward to. We're going to enjoy the experience of competing in the biggest amateur event in the world, together.
"We all want to play really well and be in that final group. Then whoever comes on top, comes on top. But we want to play each other at our best games. That's why they're excelling as a team right now, because they have such a great mindset and have incredible energy together."
The Augusta National Women's Amateur tees off Wednesday, March 29. The first two rounds, Wednesday and Thursday, will be played at the Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta. The top 30 players will advance to the final round on Saturday, April 2, played at Augusta National. Although, all players will be able to participate in a closed practice round on Friday at Augusta.
Television Broadcast Information
NBC Sports will produce and broadcast three hours of live final-round coverage at Augusta National from Noon – 3 p.m. EDT on April 2, 2022.
NBC Sports will also provide pre-event promotion across NBCUniversal's portfolio, while Golf Channel will deliver highlights, live reports and news coverage throughout the event, including onsite during the first two competitive rounds at Champions Retreat.
Additionally, Golf Channel's "Live from the Masters" will commence on Friday, April 1 from Augusta National and wrap ANWA coverage on Saturday, April 2 and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on Sunday, April 3.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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