Danville teen golfer playing in U.S. Women's Amateur

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

If you glance through the U.S. Women’s Amateur tournament field, the first name you’ll see in the online list belongs to a Danville teen golfer who’s among the youngest participants in this week’s national championship.

Ty Akabane, an incoming freshman at San Ramon Valley High, is set to tee off Monday afternoon against many of the best female amateur golfers from around the world in the annual event organized by the U.S. Golf Association.

“I’m super excited. It’s the first time I’m playing here. It’s a beautiful course,” the 14-year-old said in a phone interview Friday afternoon after taking an introductory walk around Portland Golf Club, the tournament host. “It’s a great opportunity.”

Akabane earned a spot in her first-ever U.S. Women’s Amateur by shooting a 1-over-par 73 during regional qualifying July 13 at Cameron Park Country Club, northeast of Sacramento in El Dorado County.

The teen, who a month earlier finished her final year at Charlotte Wood Middle School, said she was nervous after completing her qualifying round and waiting for the other scores to come in, but once they did — and came in higher than hers — excitement began to set in.

Her score tied for third place at Cameron Park qualifying, where eight automatic berths were up for grabs. It marked the first time she made the U.S. Women’s Amateur field, after coming up short in attempts the previous two years.

Akabane and her support team arrived in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, and she had practice rounds lined up for the weekend before the event starts Monday.

The tournament opens with two stroke-play rounds, from which the top 64 golfers will advance to a match-play bracket. Akabane, the lone San Ramon Valley resident in the field, said her goal is to make the cut and reach match play.

Her quest is set to get underway with a 2 p.m. tee time Monday, followed by a 9:05 a.m. start on Tuesday. Her father, Chris, will be on the bag as her caddie.

The tournament features more than 150 competitors, with 17 countries and 30 states represented and an average player age of 19.24 years old, according to the USGA. At the top of the participant list, alphabetically, is Akabane.

To follow U.S. Women’s Amateur results, visit the USGA website. The Round of 64, and through to the championship match, will be broadcast nationally on FOX Sports 1.

Ty Akabane, a 14-year-old golfer from Danville, celebrates qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Amateur championship, set to get underway Monday. (Photo courtesy of Akabane family)
Ty Akabane practices on the driving range in advance of this week’s tournament at Portland Golf Club. (Photo courtesy of Akabane family)