2022 Boston Marathon celebrates 50th anniversary of official women’s division

By Lisa AntonucciApr 17, 2022, 3:25 PM EDT

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The 2022 Boston Marathon will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the official inclusion of women in the race, where American Nina Kuscsik emerged the winner of the eight-woman field with a time of 3:10:26.

But female athletes’ road to inclusion was no smooth sailing.

In 1966, Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb took advantage of a loophole in the Boston Athletic Association’s entry criteria, which did not list any gender restrictions, and became the first woman to run the full Boston Marathon. She ran without an official race number for three years (1966-68), famously hiding in the bushes near the start until the race began.

Bobbi Gibb Runs The Boston Marathon — *APRIL 19, 1967: Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb runs in the Boston Marathon. (Photo by Paul Connell/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)*

The following year, Kathrine Switzer signed her entry form as “K. V. Switzer” and was issued a bib number. In an infamous incident documented by photographers, B.A.A. officials tried unsuccessfully to physically remove her from the race, citing that the Amateur Athletics Union (A.A.U.) had not yet formally allowed women in long distance running.

The A.A.U. permitted women to enter its sanctioned marathons in the fall of 1971, and eight women took to the start line in the 1972 Boston Marathon. Kuscsik became the first official champion, and all eight women finished the race.

Kathrine Switzer in the Boston marathon as officials try to force her off the course — BOSTON, MA – APRIL 19, 1967: Kathrine Switzer (bib 261), was spotted early in the Boston Marathon by Jock Semple, center right, who tried to rip the number off her shirt and remove her from the race. Switzer’s then boyfriend Tom Miller intervened, allowing Switzer to make her getaway to become the first woman to “officially” run the Boston Marathon on April 19, 1967. (Paul Connell/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

“The things people would say about why we should not be able to run long distance was crazy,” recalls Valerie Rogosheske, one of the original eight finishers in 1972. “Like, our uteruses would fall out, and we wouldn’t be able to have children, or it was just not good for our health in general. I think they were afraid that the endurance aspect of it would cause us to faint or something. I’m not sure, but it was it was pretty crazy.”

1972 Boston Marathon Original Eight Women Finishers:

Nina Kuscsik, New York (3:10:26)
Elaine Pedersen, California (3:20:25)
Kathrine Switzer, New York (3:29:51)
Pat Barrett, New Jersey (3:40:29)
Sara Mae Berman, Massachusetts (3:48:30)
Valerie Rogosheske, Wirginia (4:29:32)
Ginny Collins, Massachusetts (4:48:32)
Frances Morrison, Texas (5:07:00)

Now 75, Rogosheske will join the 14,000 women participants in this year’s race, including daughters Abigail and Allie. The Minnesota native sat down with NBC Sports ahead of her appearance Monday, where she’ll be part of BAA’s honorary women’s team that will commemorate the original eight finishers.

“If I’m totally honest, when I found out that we were going to be legal, there was just a teeny part of me that was disappointed because I was so focused on being a part of the movement, and jumping out of the bushes,” said Rogosheske, who placed in the top 10 in Boston three times, taking sixth in 1972 (4:29:32), ninth in 1973 (3:51:12) and eighth in 1974 (3:09:38). “But what a wonderful thing it was to be legal.”

She clearly remembers seeing her fellow female competitors at the start line in 1972, and while they didn’t verbalize it at the time, Rogosheske said they recognized the gravity of the moment.

Women to Run Full Boston Marathon — 1972 Boston Marathon: For the first time in the history, women were allowed to enter the Boston Marathon. The runners are (l-r) Nina Kuscsik, Kathrine Switzer, Elaine Pedersen, Ginny Collins, Pat Barrett Shore, Frances Morrison, and Sara Mae Berman. Not pictured: Valerie Rogosheske. (Photo via Getty Images)

“There was this feeling of we all have to finish,” she said. “Nobody drops out. Nobody even walks. I don’t think we actually said that, but I think that was the feeling that was in the air.

“It really is something to think of the growth in opportunity for women in these last 50 years,” added Rogosheske.

“I was a physical education major when women could not do sports. I had no teams to be on, not only in high school but in college either. And to see how opportunities have opened up, to see this whole opportunity unfold for so many women to embrace that physical side of themselves is wonderful.”

Boston’s PHF women’s hockey franchise, the Boston Pride, will serve as ceremonial grand marshals for the event, with Massachusetts natives Jillian Dempsey and Mary Parker serving as the honorary grand marshals. Rogosheske and running icon Marilyn Bevans will be among the honorary starters.

MORE BOSTON MARATHON COVERAGE: Thrilling women’s race determined in final seconds

History of women in the Boston Marathon:

The first Boston Marathon, originally called the American Marathon, was held April 19, 1897. However, it took another 69 years before the first woman, Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb, competed, and it wasn’t until 1972 that women were officially allowed to run the race. Here are some milestone dates leading up to the 126th Boston Marathon and 50th anniversary of women’s inclusion:

Tuesday, April 19, 1966: Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, where she unofficially joined the starting field shortly after the gun was fired and finished in 3:21:40 to place 126th overall. Gibb claimed the “unofficial” title again in 1967 and 1968.

Wednesday, April 19, 1967: Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to receive a number in the Boston Marathon after signing her entry form “K. V. Switzer.” Despite repeated attempts by race official Jock Semple to rip off her bib number and eject her from the race, Switzer estimates she finished in 4:20:00.

Monday, April 17, 1972: Women were allowed to officially run the Boston Marathon, with American Nina Kuscsik winning the eight-person race in 3:10:26.

Boston Marathon 1972 — APRIL 17, 1972: The first women’s Boston Marathon winner, Nina Kuscsik. (Photo by Joseph Dennehy/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Monday, April 21, 1975: Liane Winter of West Germany established a women’s world best of 2:42:24.

Monday, April 18, 1983: Joan Benoit won her second Boston Marathon in a world best time of 2:22:43. She won the inaugural women’s Olympic Marathon the following year, becoming the first person to win the Boston and Olympic marathons.

1983 Boston Marathon Winner Joan Benoit — *APRIL 18, 1983: Women’s winner Joan Benoit crosses finish line of the Boston Marathon, (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)*

Monday, April 21, 1986: Prize money is awarded for the first time, thanks to the backing of Boston-based John Hancock, and Norway’s Ingrid Kristiansen took the title in 2:24:55. She also won a new car and $35,000 in prize and bonus money.

Monday, April 16, 1990: Jean Driscoll, from Champaign, Ill., won her first of seven consecutive wheelchair division races.

Boston Marathon 1995 — *APRIL 17, 1995: Jean Driscoll as she crests Heartbreak Hill on way to women’s wheelchair victory in the 1995 Boston Marathon. (Photo by John Blanding/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)*

Monday, April 15, 1996: The historic 100th running of the Boston Marathon featured Germany’s Uta Pippig, who overcame a 30-second deficit and severe dehydration to become the first woman of the official era to win the race three consecutive years.

Monday, April 21, 1997: Ethiopia’s Fatuma Roba became the fourth person to win the Boston and Olympic Marathons, and the first African woman to win the Boston Marathon. Two years later, she would become the second woman of the official era to win the race three consecutive years.

Monday, April 17, 2000: Jean Driscoll won an unprecedented eighth title in the wheelchair division, moving her past legendary Hall of Famer Clarence H. DeMar for most all-time victories at Boston. Catherine Ndereba became the first Kenyan woman to win the Boston Marathon.

Monday, April 15, 2002: Two records were set in the women’s race when Margaret Okayo of Kenya dethroned two-time defending champion Catherine Ndereba in 2:20:43, and Russia’s Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova broke the 14-year-old masters record with her 2:27:58 victory.

Monday, April 19, 2004: To better showcase the women’s elite field, the B.A.A. implemented a separate start for the top female runners, with 35 women beginning at 11:31 a.m. (29 minutes before the rest of the field and the traditional noon start).

Monday, April 18, 2005: Catherine Ndereba became the first four-time winner of the women’s open division.

Monday, April 18, 2016: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bobbi Gibbs’ 1966 run, officials announce that years between 1966 and 1971 would no longer be known as the “Unofficial Era,” but rather the “Pioneer Era” going forward. As a symbol of appreciation, women’s winner Atsede Baysa gifted her Champion’s Trophy to Gibb, who served as the 2016 Boston Marathon Grand Marshal.

Monday, April 16, 2018: Desiree Linden becomes the first American in 33 years, since Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach in 1985, to win the women’s category at the Boston Marathon.

ALSO FROM ON HER TURF: World’s top women marathoners set for showdown at 126th Boston Marathon

More on the 2022 Boston Marathon Honorary Women’s Team:

Mary Wacera Ngugi: The Kenyan standout, who finished third in the 2021 Boston Marathon, has been using her platform to spread awareness against domestic violence. Upon the death last October of fellow Kenyan runner and two-time world championship medalist Agnes Tirop, who was stabbed to death by her estranged husband, Ngugi helped establish the Women’s Athletic Alliance to fight against domestic abuse and inequalities, particularly for female athletes in East Africa.

Manuela Schär: The Swiss standout has earned three Boston Marathon titles as well as the last three Abbott World Marathon Majors series titles. At the 2020 Paralympics, Schär earned five medals (including two gold) in distances from the 400 meters to marathon. She currently holds the marathon world record and Boston course record holder (1:28:17) and is the only women’s wheelchair athlete ever to break the 1:30 barrier.

Melissa Stockwell: In April 2004 – one month after being deployed to Iraq as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army’s transportation corps – Stockwell became the first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat after her vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Four years later, she became the first Iraq War veteran to qualify for the Paralympic Games, competing in swimming at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. She’s since competed in the Paralympic debut of triathlon in 2016 (winning bronze) and the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

Sarah Fuller: Texas native Fuller made history in 2020 as the first woman to suit up for a SEC football game while at Vanderbilt University, where she played soccer. Two weeks later, she made history again as the first woman to play in – and score – in a Power 5 football game, kicking a pair of extra points for the Commodores. She’s currently pursuing her graduate degree at the University of North Texas, where she’s also goalkeeper for the soccer team, and this summer she’ll play for Minnesota Aurora FC of the USL W League.

Kristine Lilly: The two-time World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist will make her second start in the Boston Marathon and first in 10 years. Lilly, who played professionally for the Boston Breakers from 2001-03 and 2009-10, was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2012 and U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014.

Jocelyn Rivas: As a child in El Salvador, Rivas was told she would likely not be able to walk. But in November 2021, she completed her 100th marathon at the age of 24, making her the Guinness World Record holder for the youngest woman to run 100 marathons and the world record holder for youngest Latina to ever do so. As a DACA recipient who immigrated to the United States when she was 6, Rivas takes aim at her 112th marathon with the hope of using her platform to inspire other Dreamers.

Verna Volker: Volker is a member of the Navajo Nation and founder of Native Women Running, which seeks to build and nurture a community that features and encourages Native women runners. The mother of four also is part of the leadership team for the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, which focuses on improving inclusion, visibility and access for Black, Indigenous and people of color within the sport.

Li Li Leung talks USA Gymnastics’ cultural transformation, challenges still to come and embracing her AAPI heritage

By Lisa AntonucciMay 31, 2023, 9:59 AM EDT

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Li Li Leung joined USA Gymnastics as president and CEO in March 2019, when the organization was reeling from the fallout of Larry Nassar’s widespread sexual abuse and the subsequent revelations of larger cultural issues within the sport. Since then, Leung has seen USAG through an ongoing transformation, one that hinges on the work of the survivors and staff around her, whom she is quick to credit. That evolution, as she calls it, has included instituting new norms and standards at all levels of the sport, particularly in matters related to athlete safety.

Among the notable USAG initiatives that Leung has brought to fruition is the Athlete Bill of Rights, established in December 2020 as a tool “to unite the full gymnastics community around a shared vision of behavioral expectations.” At the same time, USAG instituted a protest policy for national team members aimed at supporting athletes who choose to use their voice on public platforms. Both initiatives were among the first of their kind in sport.

Prior to joining USAG, Leung served as a vice president at the National Basketball Association (NBA), where she was responsible for building and managing key partner relationships around the world. She continues to use that experience in her roles as vice chair of the National Governing Bodies Council of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and a member of the International Gymnastics Federation’s Executive Committee.

Leung, who began competing in gymnastics at age 7, was a member of the U.S. junior national training team and represented the U.S. at the 1988 Junior Pan American Games. She was a four-year member of the four-time Big 10 champion University of Michigan gymnastics team and was an NCAA Championships participant.

In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, On Her Turf sat down with Leung to talk about her journey with USAG, the challenges still to come and how being a member of the AAPI community has shaped the person she is today.

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This Q+A has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

On Her Turf: Let’s start by talking about your journey since joining USA Gymnastics in 2019. What have the last four years been like for you?

Li Li Leung: This was just an incredible opportunity to give back to the sport that has given so much to me. And I really mean that because I started in the sport when I was 7 years old and did it for 15 years. It’s taught me all of these different skills that I apply to my daily life, both professional and personal. It feels a little bit like I’ve come full circle, and honestly, never in a million years did I think I would find myself in this role. … I joined at a time when it was a tumultuous time for the organization. It’s been just a little a little over four years now, and it has been an incredible journey — and believe it or not, I have enjoyed it. While it hasn’t been easy, I actually have enjoyed it, because I’ve been able to make it not just me. One thing that’s important to note is that — I had even said on my first interview with the board — it will take a village to accomplish what we need to accomplish. This is not a one-person job. And I was lucky enough to be able to bring on a leadership team that has been incredible, and also retain the staff that we have retained, as well as hire other new staff members. And it’s because of them and some really key volunteers that we’ve been able to accomplish what we’ve been able to do.

OHT: Can you talk a little more about this cultural transformation that the organization has experienced and your approach to tackling this all-encompassing change?

Leung: When I was interviewing for the position, I actually met every single board member. It was really critical to both sides that they felt that I matched the role and their needs and also I had to be confident in the board believing in the ultimate mission of the organization and what we wanted to achieve. So that the culture really does stem from the well – from the top down and everything in between as well. And when I was looking for leadership team, … one of the characteristics I was really looking for was they couldn’t have an ego. The job couldn’t be about themselves or about what they would personally get out of the role. It had to be about them believing in the bigger picture and believing in what we collectively wanted to achieve. I knew that we would only be able to accomplish what we need to accomplish if people were willing to roll up their sleeves and just do whatever needed to be done, so that was one of the key things in terms of having no ego.

Since 2018, we’ve turned over more than 70 percent of our staff. We’ve been able to retain the really key members of our staff, who have been critical to our success, but also have been able to really bring in new thinking, new blood, new perspectives. Because the other thing I was looking for when I was hiring for the leadership team was diversity in perspectives. That was critical because I did not want to be surrounded by “yes people.” I wanted to be surrounded by people who would be willing to have really robust conversations and engage in difficult conversations, because ultimately, you end up in a better place because of that.

In 2020, we reset our mission to be about building a community and culture of health, safety and excellence, with athletes who thrive in sport and in life. So we were no longer about developing technically superior gymnasts who perform well in gym. We reset our focus to be about helping set our athletes up for success with the skill sets that you learn in gymnastics, and when we come to the office each day, that’s what we’re thinking about. …

The other piece is we also know from a community standpoint that our national team coaches are the most visible representation (of USAG), and a lot of coaches model them. So we’ve been working really hard in terms of working on educating our national team coaches. We work with Positive Coaching Alliance to do educational training with them as well. And we also have introduced training specifically for young coaches coming in, because we know when they come in and they’re new, that they’re eager to learn, and that’s when you can start training and moving them in a way. So our thinking is with this top-down and bottom-up strategy, eventually the middle will meet.

OHT: You noted how the coaches can be some of the most visible representatives of USAG. Regarding the addition of 2008 Olympic silver medalists Chellsie Memmel (USAG technical lead) and Alicia Sacramone Quinn (USAG strategic lead), how have those women impacted the program?

Leung: The addition of Chellsie and Alicia has been fantastic. They have been phenomenal to work with, and the fact that they have firsthand experience of having gone through it themselves – that also gives them a very good idea of what they would change and what they wouldn’t change, at the same time. It has been a phenomenal addition to be able to have this perspective of firsthand, high-level, high-performing athletes to be able to lead our high-performance team. And the athletes are saying it as well. They’re saying, “We trust them; we feel confident in their decisions; we can relate to them” — all of those things that historically haven’t really happened before.

Then in terms of the athletes who are going to college and coming back to compete with USA Gymnastics – there are so many aspects that I think are great about this. One: It’s showing a lengthened career in a sport that historically has not been very long because it’s so demanding on the body. So that means that our athletes are physically healthier, as well, that they can train and compete at a high level for a longer period of time. It also means that they’re enjoying it more because they’re staying in the sport. From an emotional standpoint, they’re finding a lot more joy in the sport, and they’re talking about it, too. And we love the fact that they’re talking about it. We want them to talk about it, and we want them to have voices and feel open and free about sharing what they’re thinking about. I have to say I’ve been really enjoying seeing almost like — I’m not sure if I can go as far as a new era in the sport maybe — but just this evolution of the sport and the athletes changing in front of my eyes.

OHT: What do you consider now to still be the biggest challenge or obstacle for USAG?

Leung: There are a couple of big initiatives on the list. One is we want to build a training and wellness center where all of our disciplines will train under one roof. This is a long-term project, obviously, but my vision around it is that it will be the heart and hub of gymnastics in America. And while this is where national team athletes will ultimately train to some extent, it is going to be a welcoming place for athletes of all different disciplines and all different levels. We want it to be a place where young athletes can come through and see their role models training. We want this to be a place of education for our community and judges. We want to be able to run clinics there for all different levels. We just want this to be a gathering place of gymnastics and to be able to celebrate the sport there at the same time.

We’re also going to reset our foundation. There’s been the National Gymnastics Foundation, but we are going to reset it and basically be much more proactive on fundraising and development to grow the sport and also to raise more money for athletes in their training.

OHT: Turning to AAPI Heritage Month and being named to the 2023 Gold House A100 List (the A100 is named each May honoring 100 Asian Pacific leaders who made the greatest impact on culture and society over the past year). What did that honor mean to you?

Leung: It was such an incredible honor to be recognized by them, and my fellow honorees — when I read the list, I thought to myself, “I don’t belong.” There are some incredible names on that list. But again, I go back to what I said earlier: I owe this honor to a lot of the other people who work [at USAG]. I think the really important thing to recognize is that this was not done by just me. It was done by a lot of other people who are on staff and who aren’t getting the accolades or the recognition. But it was an incredible experience to be, and I’m very, very touched and honored to be on that list.

OHT: How do you identify within the Asian American Pacific Islander community? Did you embrace your heritage growing up and how has that shaped who you are today?

Leung: So I’ll tell you a story that I’ve mentioned to other people recently. I grew up in a town called Ridgewood in Bergen County, New Jersey, and most of my friends had blond hair and blue eyes. When I was growing up, I wanted the name “Nancy Smith,” and I wanted blue eyes. I wanted to fit in. As a kid, you always want to fit in. Then when you get older and wizen up a little bit, you realize that it’s okay and it’s good to be different, that you can use that to your advantage. And so upon growing up, I realized that it’s pretty special to be Asian American and there are benefits to being Asian American, and you should embrace the fact that you are different. In fact, I recently lectured to a women-in-sports-business class, and one of the questions they asked me was about impostor syndrome. I said the same thing that I’m saying to you now, which is absolutely embrace who you are. Absolutely embrace your differences, because those ultimately are embedded advantages to who you are and make you stand out from the rest of the crowd. So that’s my philosophy now.

OHT: Do you or your family have any traditions that are especially important to you?

Leung: I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a tradition, but in the Chinese culture, food is really important. Food is what brings people together. It’s a sign of respect, and that is the ultimate unifying language in a way. So when we do get together as a family, it’s really important for us to get together around a meal, because that’s when we share our stories. That’s when we connect with one another.

OHT: You might have just answered my next question, but I want to ask: What brings you joy about your heritage and culture?

Leung: It’s funny, I was actually at a conference last week and you were supposed to find someone you didn’t know in the conference and share a secret talent that you have. I shared that I can eat a lot more than most people think. Food is a really important part of our culture and in my upbringing and family.

OHT: Lastly, I wanted to ask, as we’ve seen an increase in hate-filled actions toward the AAPI community, what does supporting the AAPI community look like for you?

Leung: Well, I think kind of going back to my other answer, it’s just about embracing who you are and embracing your differences. I think part of it is being unafraid of it at the same time, which I know is really difficult. But if you’re going to truly embrace it, and then you can’t be afraid about embracing it at the same time.

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2023 Mizuho Americas Open: How to watch, who’s playing in inaugural LPGA event at Liberty National GC

By Lisa AntonucciMay 30, 2023, 5:03 PM EDT

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The Statue of Liberty is the backdrop for this week’s inaugural Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. The tournament boasts a theme of mentorship and education, and includes a girls’ 72-hole, modified Stableford tournament featuring 24 juniors to go along with the 72-hole stroke-play event for 120 LPGA professionals.

The field is led by seven of the top 10 players on the Rolex Rankings including world No. 1 Jin Young Ko, No. 3 Lydia Ko, No. 4 Lilia Vu and No. 5 Minjee Lee. Also teeing it up this week are the finalists from Sunday’s Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play, where Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn captured her second LPGA title with a 3-and-1 victory over Japan’s Ayaka Furue.

Michelle Wie West is serving as the tournament host, and she’ll be on hand to welcome fellow Stanford alum Rose Zhang, who’s fresh off her second straight NCAA individual title and turned professional just last week. Zhang will have her first go at an LPGA prize purse, which tops out at $2.75 million this week with the winner taking home $412,500.

How to watch the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open

You can watch the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open on Golf Channel, Peacock, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. Check out the complete TV and streaming schedule:

Thursday, June 1: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET, Golf Channel and Peacock
Friday, June 2: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET, Golf Channel and Peacock
Saturday, June 3: 5-8 p.m. ET, Golf Channel and Peacock
Sunday, June 4: 4:30-5 p.m. ET (streaming only on Peacock); 5-7:30 p.m. ET, Golf Channel and Peacock

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Who’s playing in the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open?

The 120-player field features seven of the top 10 players (and 16 of the top 25 player) on the Rolex Rankings:

No. 1 Jin Young Ko
No. 3 Lydia Ko
No. 4 Lilia Vu
No. 5 Minjee Lee
No. 6 Atthaya Thitikul
No. 8 Brooke Henderson
No. 9 Georgia Hall

Also in the field are 2023 winners Celine Boutier (LPGA Drive On Championship), Ruoning Yin (DIO Implant LA Open) and Grace Kim (LOTTE Championship), plus several sponsor exemptions including reigning NCAA individual champion Rose Zhang and her Stanford teammate Megha Ganne. Ganne, a native of Holmdel, N.J., finished T-21 at the recent NCAAs and is playing as an amateur. Joining them as an exemption is fellow Cardinal Mariah Stackhouse, who has conditional status on tour in 2023. Monday qualifiers include tour rookie Alexa Pano and Australia’s Sarah Jane Smith.

Among the notable juniors expected to play are 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner Anna Davis, 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior winner Yana Wilson and 2022 U.S. Junior Girls’ runnerup Gianna Clemente. The 24 junior players were invited through their standings in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.

What’s the format for the Mizuho Americas Open?

The professionals will play a 72-hole stroke-play competition, with a cut to the top 50 and ties after 36 holes. The 24 juniors will play a 72-hole, no-cut competition using the modified Stableford scoring format and a different yardage than the pros.

During the first two rounds, the AJGA players will all be paired together. During the final two rounds, one junior player will play with two LPGA pros with groupings based on scores. This unique format marks the first time the AJGA and LPGA have partnered to showcase junior and professional competitors playing together.

Stableford scoring refresher: “Stableford” is a scoring system that awards points for the number of strokes taken on each hole in relation to par, rather than simply counting strokes like in stroke play. Unlike in stroke play, where players want the lowest score, the goal in Stableford scoring is to have the highest score. Standard Stableford points values are:

0 Points – Double bogey or worse (two strokes or more over par)
1 Point – Bogey (one stroke over par)
2 Points – Par
3 Points – Birdie (one stroke under par)
4 Points – Eagle (two strokes under par)
5 Points – Albatross or double eagle (three strokes under par)
6 Points – Condor (four strokes under par)

More about Liberty National Golf Club

Located on the shore of the Upper Bay of New York Harbor, Liberty National Golf Club was designed by Bob Cupp and Tom Kite and officially opened on July 4, 2006. After the course received mixed reviews following the PGA Tour’s Northern Trust in 2009, the course underwent a renovation led by Steve Wenzloff of PGA Tour Design Services. Of note, the course hosted an event during the PGA Tour Playoffs four times (2009, 2013, 2019 and 2021) as well as the 2017 Presidents Cup, where the U.S. defeated the Internationals 19-11 for the Americans’ seventh consecutive victory in the competition and its 10th straight win overall. For this week’s event, the course will play to a par of 72 with an unofficial scorecard yardage of 6,671 yards.

1972 Boston Marathon Original Eight Women Finishers:

MORE BOSTON MARATHON COVERAGE: Thrilling women’s race determined in final seconds

History of women in the Boston Marathon:

ALSO FROM ON HER TURF: World’s top women marathoners set for showdown at 126th Boston Marathon

More on the 2022 Boston Marathon Honorary Women’s Team:

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How to watch the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open

ALSO FROM ON HER TURF: Wake Forest captures team title at 2023 NCAA DI women’s golf championships, Stanford’s Rose Zhang wins individual crown

Who’s playing in the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open?

What’s the format for the Mizuho Americas Open?

More about Liberty National Golf Club

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