MIDLAND, MI – Chaithra Katamneni moved to Midland to shadow doctors in preparation of a second career.
But the Nevada-Reno graduate will also have a chance to job shadow in preparation of her first career.
Katamneni teamed with Dearborn native Elayna Bowser to win the Amateur Qualifier at Bucks Run Golf Course in Mount Pleasant, earning a sponsor invite to the first Great Lakes Bay Invitational July 15-20 at Midland Country Club.
“We didn’t know each other until a week before the qualifier,” Katamneni said Monday at the LPGA Media Day at Midland Country Club.
“But we’re the same type of player, and it worked out great. Plus, she’s from Michigan. I was looking for a partner to golf with, and I went through Golf Association of Michigan to find someone. I got lucky.”
The qualifier used the same format the Midland LPGA event will use, with two-player teams competing for the championship. Bowser, who graduated from Loyola-Chicago, and Katamneni shot a 1-under on the first 18 holes using an alternate-shot format. In the final 18, the two played best-ball and went 6-under.
It was a nice win for Katamneni, who moved to Midland less than a year ago. She graduated from Nevada-Reno with a degree in neuroscience and a minor in chemistry.
“I loved the area and the opportunity,” Katamneni said. “I want to be a doctor, and I found a lot of people I could shadow to learn from. My first goal is to go through the different qualifying schools and join the LPGA.
“This is a great opportunity for us. We get to meet and play against the pros. Playing at Bucks Run and playing this format was a lot of fun. I don’t know if having played as a team will give us an advantage during the tournament, but it can’t hurt.”
Katamneni got a chance to meet another former college player who also received a sponsor’s exemption in Jennifer Kupcho, who will team with Maria Fassi in the tournament.
Kupcho, who was the No. 1-ranked amateur, has already drawn headlines as the first woman to win an event at Augusta National when she won the first Augusta National Women’s Amateur, going 5-under in the final six holes to beat Fassi for the title.
The two then had a quick appointment to appear on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
“The Tonight Show was a lot more intimidating than Augusta,” Kupcho said. “You’re kind of nervous because you know he likes doing crazy things, and you’re kind of worried that you’re going to say something or do something.
“Having Maria there helped. We’ve become good friends and we’ve competed against each other, so getting the chance to play on the same team is going to be fun. We both have the same attitude … we go for shots. She can hit it farther though, so we should be a good team.”
The field will consist of 72 teams competing for the first team competition in LPGA Tournament history, although many of the players in the field have competed in team events. The first round on Wednesday, July 17, will feature an alternate-shot format with the golfers playing best-ball on Thursday.
After 36 holes, the 35 teams with the lowest scores will make the cut for the Friday, July 19, alternate-shot round with the final round Saturday, July 20, going back to best-ball.
Some players have taken the opportunity created by the team format to create some interesting teams. Ariya Jutanugarn will team with her sister Moriya Jutanugarn, with Jessica Korda and sister Nelly doing the same.
Longtime Solheim Cup teammates Suzann Pettersen and Catrionia Matthew will pair up, as will another pair of Solheim Cup teammates, Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr. Canadian natives Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp will also pair up for the event.
“The format creates more enthusiasm and emotion than the typical 72-hole event, because of the team format,” said Nancy Henderson, president of the LPGA Foundation and chief teaching officer of the LPGA.
“You’ve got young players getting a chance to play together, golfers who are captains of the Solheim Cup and teams like Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp, who are both from Canada. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them have their own Canadian cheering section following them for the tournament.”
Practice rounds begin Monday, July 15, with the Pro-Am event at 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 16.