Seniors weigh options after Augusta National Women’s Amateur cancellation

The cancellation of the 2020 Augusta National Women’s Amateur will mean a missed opportunity for some of the field.

Augusta National announced the cancellation Monday, due to scheduling concerns surrounding other events such as the LPGA Q-series and World Amateur Team Championships. The news came in tandem with a tentative rescheduling of the Masters Tournament to Nov. 9-15

Augusta National is honoring all 2020 invitations, with one caveat: The participant must retain amateur status. For most of the field it is a nonissue. For college seniors that are forgoing the NCAA’s granted additional year of eligibility to pursue a professional career, this becomes a problem.

University of Texas sophomore Hailee Cooper couldn’t help but think of the seniors that will likely miss out on the 2021 event.

“I am relieved that the invitation is extended, but it is heartbreaking that seniors or those who wanted to pursue their professional careers, may never get the chance to play at Augusta National unless they played last year,” she said. “It is sad to see such a positive event for women’s golf get canceled.”

Furman University senior Natalie Srinivasan, who finished tied for 17th in the 2019 tournament, has made her decision on the 2021 invitation.

“It’s certainly disappointing, but I was expecting it with all the other cancellations. I’m glad I was able to play last year,” she said. “I’m going to turn pro and start playing events when all this settles down.”

A year in which a majority of her senior season was taken from her, Srinivasan said she’s focused on the positives and the memories. The three-time All-Southern Conference player was on a roll heading into what would’ve been her second ANWA start. She was the low medalist at both the Moon Golf Invitational in Melbourne, Fla. and the Lady Paladin Invitational in Greenville, S.C.