Tar Heels miss cut at Women's U.S. Open

The North Carolina women’s golf team came up short of a national championship at the end of their spring season, but two Tar Heels were chasing a different kind of national title recently.

Katherine Perry, a rising junior, and incoming freshman Samantha Marks both took part in the Women’s U.S. Open last week at Blackwolf Run Championship Course in Kohler, Wis.

“It was a tough layout,” Perry said. “It was pretty long, playing almost 7,000 yards with high rough and fast, hard greens. Most of the greens, you had to land it on the front to keep it on the green. It was tough, but it was a lot of fun.”

The 2012 championship was Perry’s second appearance at the U.S. Open, as she played in the 2009 championship.

That’s familiar territory for UNC’s new assistant coach Leah Wigger, who played in two U.S. Opens of her own.

“It can definitely bring a lot of confidence knowing that you can play in a competition like that,” Wigger said.

Perry started the championship with a strong showing, finishing the first round at two-over-par and in a tie for 38th place.

Fighting the constantly moving cut line, Perry struggled on Saturday to an 81 and a two-round total of 11-over-par.

“I was excited that I played well and kept my game plan,” Perry said. “Second day obviously didn’t go as well. I was playing more to make the cut instead of just playing my game out there. So that was something to learn from.”

Wigger was impressed with Perry’s game, even before this year’s championship, and Perry flashed some of her ability with that strong opening round.

“Perry hits the ball very straight and is just a very steady player,” Wigger said. “I know when she gets the putter going she can score well.”

Marks, who is from Maitland, Fla., fired a 79-87 to finish in a tie for 151st place. But before the tournament started she played a practice round with Perry.

Perry said that they enjoyed the round together, and it made the event even more special to be able to share it with a future teammate.

Though neither golfer was around for the weekend, as the cut line was at six-over-par, the experience itself is beneficial to a player’s game.

“Both times I’ve played in the Open, I’ve learned a lot about my game,” Perry said. “And I think that’s really helped me practice on certain parts of my game and learn more mentally about myself. It helps me perform under pressure situations.”

Next season, the fact that the Tar Heels will have two golfers with U.S. Open experience on the roster bodes well for the future of the program.

“The team’s going to be very strong,” Wigger said. “Of course they lost two great players, but we’ve got two great players coming in.

“Not only Samantha, with her game and being able to qualify for the open but also (incoming freshman) Elizabeth Mallett … It just goes to show that there’s a lot of talent out, and we’re going to be a strong and competitive team next year.”

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.