Emerie Schartz, a junior from Andover High School in Wichita, Kansas, received a life-changing phone call from her father informing her that she had gotten in the field as an alternate at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur in Tulsa. With only three hours to spare before her tee time, Schartz and her family rushed to Southern Hills Country Club to make it in time. Despite narrowly missing out on qualifying, she was added to the alternate list and got her opportunity when a spot opened up due to a player’s withdrawal.
With no practice rounds and lack of familiarity with the course, Schartz relied on YouTube videos to learn more about Southern Hills. Despite the challenges, she arrived at the course with only 14 minutes to spare, foregoing any warm-up shots or putts. Her first tee shot was solid, and she finished with an 8-over 79 on the first day of the tournament, matching the same score on the following day. While she may have missed the cut, the experience of overcoming adversity and making her tee time will undoubtedly benefit her in her future endeavors.
During her drive to the course, Schartz watched videos of past tournaments at Southern Hills and learned about playing strategies. The sudden opportunity to play at the U.S. Women’s Amateur came as a surprise to her, especially after focusing on preparing for the British Girls’ Junior competition in Europe. Despite the disappointment of not qualifying initially, Schartz embraced the challenge and approached the tournament with a determination to make the most of the opportunity presented to her.
The USGA went through the alternate list in order to find someone who could make it to Southern Hills in time for the afternoon tee time. After confirming Schartz’s availability, the race to Tulsa was on. With no prior experience playing at Southern Hills, Schartz faced a tough challenge, but her resilience and ability to adapt on the fly impressed many at the tournament. While she fell short of making match play, the experience of competing under pressure and unfamiliar conditions will serve her well in the future.
Despite not having any practice rounds and facing tough competition, Schartz maintained a positive attitude and focused on her game. Her ability to stay composed under pressure and make the best of the situation demonstrated her maturity and potential as a rising star in the world of golf. While the missed cut may be disappointing, the journey and lessons learned from the U.S. Women’s Amateur will undoubtedly shape Schartz’s future in the sport. As she continues to strive for excellence, her determination and resilience will be key assets in overcoming future challenges and achieving success on the course.
