Marsh Elliott Ready To Defend Title

By Ken Klavon, USGA

Knoxville, Tenn. - Ask Amber Marsh Elliott what she remembers most about last year's U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur, and her memory slips into a black hole.

Defending champion Amber Marsh Elliott answers questions during Media Day on Sept. 1 at Holston Hills. (Courtesy Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation.)

For starters, the Greensboro, N.C., resident knows she won. But the surrealistic nature of actually winning has clouded the mind.

"I rode home with my parents," she said last week on a visit to Holston Hills Country Club, site of this year's championship. "I talked on the phone for five hours all the way home."

She remembers the final match being on the day of her two-month wedding anniversary. And also that she didn't sleep well at night thanks to bubbling adrenaline.

Other than that, the recollections of beating Shannon Ogg, 3 and 2, by winning five of the last seven holes with pars at Long Cove Club in Hilton Head, N.C., have gradually been scrubbed away like a mother trying to rub out a child's misguided crayon to a wall.

It didn't really dawn on Marsh Elliott what she had accomplished until attending a party in her honor at Long Cove a couple of months later. They surprised her with an honorary membership.

"I was crying," she said. "I never expected it. I was pretty emotional."

A major award followed, too, as she was named the Women's Player of the Year in the Carolinas. To be feted in such a way overwhelmed the low-key Marsh Elliott, whose last victory on the amateur circuit had been at the 1994 Women's Carolinas Championship.

Until last year's victory, the most prominent female golfer from the area to make noise had been current LPGA Tour professional Marcy Newton, now known as Marcy Hart. Growing up in nearby Thomasville, N.C., a scant 10-minute drive from Greensboro, Newton won the 1995 U.S. Girls' Junior and 2000 U.S. Women's Amateur. Marsh Elliott considers it an honor to be mentioned in the same breath with her.

"When I won, I thought I was in pretty good company with her," said Marsh Elliott.  

So now the 1992 University of North Carolina graduate, who also had a stint as the assistant women's golf coach there, is back to defend on a course designed by the legendary Donald Ross. That suits Marsh Elliott fine since she grew up familiarizing herself with venues built by the celebrated architect, whose designs also include Pinehurst No. 2 and Oakland Hills.

Ross ' signature imprint can be found on undulating and speedy greens that often have the characteristic of inverted saucers. Holston Hills' putting surfaces certainly fit the mold. However, some of the bentgrass greens have been affected by what's referred to as an unknown fungi, according to Pat O'Brien, the Southeast Regional Director in the USGA's Green Section Department. (It's called unknown fungi because researchers have been studying the case for three years without being able to identify what it is).

O'Brien has consulted with superintendent Ryan Blair for the better part of a year as the course was being prepared for championship standards. The prescient Blair has been treating the greens for several months in preparation for the event. The good news, O'Brien said, is that players won't notice anything wrong nor should it affect their putting.  

"It's gotten a little more intense as it gets closer [to the championship]," said Blair, referring to the work done on the 6,228-yard, par-72 layout.

Intense wouldn't describe Marsh Elliott, though. She said she feels no pressure to defend because she wasn't expected to win last year.

Why could she legitimately repeat? Her putting has been strong, plus she's worked on fitness and her chipping game all summer. With the ghost of Ross floating amiably in the area, one could safely bet that the championship may be settled on the greens.

Why won't she defend? Because she's had "issues" with her swing to the point that she had a recent appointment with her coach.

During the first two days of stroke play, her strategy will be to stay conservative; take no chances.

"If I can make 18 pars, I'll take be thrilled," she said. "You just don't want to have any train wrecks."

After that, her memory goes on vacation.

Ken Klavon is the USGA Web Editor. E-mail him with questions or comments at kklavon@usga.org.