Northern Ireland teenager Beth Coulter says it will be “an experience” to play at Augusta National.
The 19-year-old from County Down will tee it up at the prestigious course which hosts the Masters each year when she competes at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur next month.
The invitational, won by England’s Lottie Woad last year, will be staged for the sixth time from 2-5 April and brings together an international field of 72 of the game’s best amateurs.
“I was so, so excited. I mean, it’s something that I’ve looked forward to and worked really hard for the last three or four years,” said Coulter.
“Loads of non-golfers even know what it is. So many of my friends don’t play golf, but they know about Augusta and they watch the Masters.
“I think even just being there is going to be really, really cool. It’s an experience more than anything.”
American Jennifer Kupcho, who went on to win the 2022 Chevron Championship, is a past champion of the 54-hole event.
“It’s one of the best tournaments in the world right now for women golfers,” added Coulter.
“Even just getting the invite means you’re in the top 50 or 60 players in the world.
“To get to do it there, to compete, and to have some family and friends fly across—I’m excited to get there and get it going already.”
Coulter’s rise in the amateur ranks has been swift. Last year, she was part of the victorious Curtis Cup team, an event that further propelled her name into the spotlight.
Reflecting on the impact, Coulter believes the exposure has been positive for the sport.
“The Curtis Cup being on TV and starting to get more presence in the media, I’m like, ‘Oh, this is very weird.’ And then when I come home and see BBC’s highlights, I’m like, ‘That actually is us’.
“Putting women’s golf out there, girls’ golf out there, it’s been really, really good for the sport and it gives us such a platform.”
