Twenty-four of the top high school girls golfers in San Diego County, including three South County standouts, will tee off Thursday, Aug. 11, in the Mickey Wright Invitational for High School Girls at the San Diego County Club in Chula Vista.
The event honors San Diego-born LPGA golfer Mickey Wright, 81, a Hoover High School alumna and one of the early superstars on the LPGA Tour. Regarded as the top female golfer of all time, Wright joined the LPGA Tour in 1955 and quickly became one of its greatest players.
Her 82 tour victories included 13 major championships. In 1964, she won the U.S. Women’s Open Championship at San Diego Country Club. A room at the club is dedicated in her honor and includes many photos and memorabilia from her golfing career.
The event was founded last year, with Torrey Pines High School senior Sung Eun Park winning the inaugural championship.
This year’s participants include Savanah Brady (Point Loma), Denise De La Cruz (El Camino), Stephanie Fernandez (Julian Charter), Grace Fitzgerald (Poway), Jackie Garcia (Cathedral Catholic), Grace Gibson (Coronado), Grace Greeley (Mission Vista), Stephanie Heimler (Rancho Bernardo), Claire Hogle (Rancho Bernardo), Breann Horn (El Capitan), Yuree Huh (Canyon Crest), Stephanie Ksiazek (Valhalla), Madisen Miller (Cathedral Catholic), Jung Min Park (Torrey Pines), Kesar Patel (Coronado), Calista Reyes (Rancho Bernardo), Dani Rodea (Torrey Pines), Brooke Seay (Francis Parker), Sierra Streit (West Hills), Waverly Whiston (La Jolla), Nicole Whiston (La Jolla), Samantha Yi (Rancho Bernardo), Catalin Yturralde (Our Lady of Peace) and Peyton Zizzi (Mater Dei Catholic).
Fernandez, Miller and Zizzi are Chula Vista residents.
Competitors received nominations by their high school coaches, the San Diego Junior Golf Association and the Pro Kids/First Tee organization. According to tournament organizers, the girls have exhibited exceptional golfing ability, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of golf.
Each girl will be hosted by a member of the San Diego Country Club Women’s Golf Association for an afternoon of golf, awards dinner and guest speaker. The high school girls will compete in an 18-hole stroke play format among themselves as well as a foursome net game with club members. A trophy will be awarded to the overall champion. The winner’s name and high school also will be engraved on a perpetual trophy that will be on display at San Diego Country Club.
Wright is enthused about the club holding this tournament and supports the opportunity it will provide to mentor and recognize a future generation of women golfers from San Diego area schools. The San Diego women’s golfing legend has been actively involved in personalizing the awards program as well as donating an autographed copy of her classic book “Play Golf the Wright Way.”
The evening’s guest speaker will be Nikki Gatch, PGA Regional Manager for Player Development.
San Diego Country Club has also been selected to be the host of the 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. One hundred fifty-six of the world’s most talented women amateur golfers from around the world will compete in this event Aug. 7-13, 2017.
