Madison Pressel (far right), sister of LPGA sensation Morgan Pressel, warms up before her qualifying round Tuesday. She fired back-to-back rounds of 75, good enough to qualify for match play. (Photo by Worth Robbins)

After the last shot Monday at the rain-delayed United States Open, the spotlight on United States Golf Association (USGA) championships shifted to Redtail Golf Course at Devens as 156 women from around the world began competing on June 22 in the 33rd United States Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship.

After two rounds of play Monday and Tuesday, the field was reduced to the low 64 players, who were scheduled to then compete in match play Wednesday through Friday. A 36-hole match Saturday, between the final two players, will determine the champion. Admission to the event is free.

Redtail General Manager Jim Pavlik spoke with a touch of pride Tuesday afternoon as he recalled the letter he wrote to USGA officials five years ago asking that Redtail be considered for a USGA championship. He recalled the excitement when he received the news three years ago that Redtail had been selected for the 2009 WAPL championship.

Planning began more than a year ago with a visit from a USGA agronomist to evaluate the course and to provide help that would ensure the best possible conditions. Pavlik said that despite the unusual amount of rain and cool temperatures in recent weeks, the course is in excellent condition, and the players are praising it.

A group tees off on the scenic 14th hole with its unusual punchbowl-shaped green. (Photo by Worth Robbins)

Although strictly for public-course-playing amateurs, the WAPL has been a springboard for some very successful professional careers. Michelle Wie became the youngest golfer ever to win a USGA championship when she won in 2003 at the age of 13. The 2004 winner was 15-year-old Yani Tseng, who went on to be 2008 rookie of the year on the LPGA tour.

A total of 678 entries were accepted for the championship. Sectional qualifying was held at 38 sites between May 24 and June 4, with 133 players qualifying to play at Redtail, along with 23 players exempt from qualifying because of previous tournament success.
Tournament arrangements have been underway for several months, including transportation for golfers from area airports, lodging (the entire Devens Springhill Suites Marriott was reserved, as well as 28 private homes), and caddies for some players. A total of 150 local volunteers supplement the USGA staff.

The event is the 53rd USGA championship conducted in Massachusetts. The last USGA championship in the state was the 2005 Junior Amateur at Longmeadow Country Club. This is the first time the WAPL is being held in Massachusetts. The corresponding tournament for men was held at Stow Acres Country Club in Stow in 1995.