Settler's Bay hosting Alaska's first national women's qualifier

WASILLA - Earlier this month, Settlers Bay Golf Course hosted the first qualifying event for the U.S. Open ever to be held in the state of Alaska.

It was the first chance local male golfers could earn an opportunity to compete in a U.S. Open sectional, while playing in Alaska.

Now the female golfers of the 49th state have a similar opportunity.

On Thursday Settlers Bay will be the home of the first qualifying event for the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links to be played in the state of Alaska. Fifteen female golfers from the Last Frontier, including six athletes from the Valley will participate in the event. The list includes Wasilla's Allegra Butler, the state amateur champion in 2003 and 2004, and Wasilla's Rynae Baca, an 11-year-old who posted the top net score in the women's first flight at the state amateur championships last year.

Mindy Stefanski, a United States Golf Association representative for the state and one of the 15 golfers in Thursday's field, said the number of golfers enlisted to play in the event could play a major role as organizers strive to make it a permanent fixture on the Alaska golf calendar.

&#8220We ended up with 15 people. Everyone was scrambling, hoping to get 10,” Stefanski said. &#8220The word was, if we didn't get 10, we would not have the opportunity to host this event again.”

The size of the field also will allow the top two players in Thursday's tournament to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championships, scheduled for June 19-23 at Walking Stick Golf Course in Pueblo, Colo.

Alaska was only expected to be given one spot.

&#8220Two qualifying spots - that's pretty wild,” Stefanski said. &#8220We're pretty excited.”

The USGA factors in the total numbers of players competing at each qualifying tournament when deciding which tourney gets what amount of qualifying spots. There are nearly 700 players in qualifying tournaments all over the country this month competing for 105 spots in the amateur championships.

&#8220We were going to be happy with one. We're thrilled with two,” Stefanski said.

In order to participate in a qualifier, a golfer must have a handicap of 18.4 or lower, and not be a member of a private club. Stefanski said Thursday's field includes players with handicaps that range from around five to around 18. The wide spectrum of players gives the tournament a range from the 11-year-old Baca to golfers in their mid-60s.

Stefanski and Kellie Poppenhagen started the charge to score a qualifying event for the state. Poppenhagen began the process. But after she moved to Houston, Texas, a few months ago, Stefanski took over the project.

Stefanski said the biggest hurdles surround the timing of the event. The USGA requires that all qualifying events be completed on, or before, June 1. The association also stipulates that no temporary greens must be used.

&#8220That's very early in the season for us. It's asking a lot,” Stefanski said. &#8220Their championship is two weeks later, and our season is basically starting.”

Palmer Golf Course originally was chosen as the site of the event. But on Wednesday, Palmer's course manager Jeff Barnhart determined PGC might not be completely ready for the event on Wednesday. The course still requires some temporary greens.

&#8220I give Jeff a lot of credit - stepping up and saying I don't think we're ready,” Stefanski said. &#8220We called Settlers, and fortunately they had enough time to get

ready.”

Palmer Golf Course officials had the opportunity to prepare the 6,200 yards of course the USGA prefers for its qualifying events. Stefanski said Settlers should have about 5,400 yards of course ready for the event. Adjustments could be made between now and Thursday to give the course more distance.

Regardless, Stefanski said, Settlers is in great shape for the tourney.

The first pair tees off at 9 a.m. Thursday on the elevated tee box that starts the first hole at Settlers. The tournament is open to spectators, but USGA rules prohibit fans from following the athletes in carts. Suggested areas to see the action include the start at the first tee, the end of the ninth hole near the clubhouse and the end of the 18th hole near the parking lot.

Contact Frontiersman sports

editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@

frontiersman.com.