The Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G kicks off this week. Two local players attempted to qualify for the tournament Monday afternoon.
Fayetteville native and Razorback golfer Emma Lavy hit the links at Pinnacle Country Club to try and qualify for the tournament. “My coach is here. My family’s here, my old teammates, my new teammates, so it’s a great experience to be out here,” said Lavy.
Lavy is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas. She committed to play for the Razorbacks several years ago the day after attending this same tournament. “It’s so prestigious and it’s such an honor to be here,” she said.
Lavy treated Monday’s qualifying round like every other tournament. “You can’t act like it’s any different, so I just got up here like I was in a college tournament or like an individual tournament even though I’m hitting with the best players in the world on the range,” said Lavy. “You just have to play like it’s your game and just do your thing,” she said.
Conway native Summar Roachell also competed Monday for a chance to play in the tournament. Roachell committed to play for the Razorbacks next year. “It feels really good. I mean there are a lot of girls that are at Arkansas this year or have been at Arkansas playing this,” said Roachell.
Lavy and Roachell did not qualify for the tournament this week. “I just tried to keep myself in it as much as I could and make some puts, play smart,” said Lavy.
The LPGA tournament runs through Sunday.