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AUGUSTA, Ga. (seminoles.com) – Florida State’s Beatrice Wallin is hoping her third time playing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur championship is in fact, her charm.
When the expression ‘Third time’s a Charm’ is used, it generally means that the third time something is attempted, luck is sure to result.
For Wallin and her participation in this week’s Third Annual ANWA, there is not much luck involved.
For the soon-to-be graduated Seminole senior, it is all about how well she plays the sport of golf.
She is on her way to becoming a four-time All-American, is the reigning ACC Golfer of the Year, is a two-time All-ACC selection, and has been ranked as the No. 1 collegiate golfer during her career at Florida State. She is currently the No. 5 ranked golfer in the Women’s Amateur Golf Rankings and is ranked as the 22nd best Division I collegiate golfer in the nation.
Wallin is one of 10 players who will have competed in all three ANWA’s, is the only player to finish in the top-10 and one of only four to make the cut in the first two women’s championships at the famed Augusta National Golf Club.
“This is a week of events you look forward to experiencing as a golfer,” said Wallin. “From receiving the invitation in January, to playing throughout the week at Augusta National – it’s an incredible experience. The honor of playing in this event is awesome. The entire event is so much fun and so exciting.”
Wallin has certainly made the most of her first two opportunities to play in the event. She finished in a tie for seventh place in the inaugural event in 2019 and a tie for 10th place in 2021. She carded scores of 71-74-71 for a three round total of even par 216 in her first appearance, and totaled scores of 75-73-72 for a three round score of 220 (+4) a year ago. Wallin finished just three strokes out of the lead and was just one of eight golfers who carded a score of par or better in the final round of the championship in 2021.
“Playing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur has not only given me great experiences, but has helped me develop my game,” said Wallin.
Since playing in the ANWA for her first time during her sophomore season at Florida State, Wallin has earned 10 top-10 finishes and won two individual championships at the Florida State Match Up and the Pinetree Women’s Collegiate during the spring of 2021.
Since first playing at Augusta, she has played in her first U.S. Women’s Open at the Championship Club in Houston in December of 2020, played as a member of the International Team at the 2021 Arnold Palmer Cup and successfully navigated LPGA Q-School during the fall of 2021. Wallin is ranked second in school history with a career-scoring average of 72.10.
Despite earning professional status on the Epson Tour with her success at Q-School, she chose to return to Florida State to play with the nationally ranked Florida State team this spring, and ultimately earn her degree in Humanities on April 29, 2022, from Florida State University.
“I am so proud of Beatrice and how hard she has worked to get here,” said Seminole Head Coach Amy Bond, who will be in Wallin’s gallery at Augusta. “This is extremely special, and to have a Seminole in the field for each of the first three years is extraordinary. Bea has been looking forward to this. I can’t wait to watch her compete.”
Bond has watched Wallin transform herself from a freshman who finished in a tie for 22nd in her first career event to the woman and golfer she has become in the past four years.
“This is such a special week for women’s amateur golf,” said Bond. “Only an elite group of female golfers get the opportunity to play the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. What an honor for Bea to be invited for the third time. The best of the best get invited, and this is her third invitation.”
Wallin, who led Sweden to the 2020 European Ladies’ Team Championship and who finished in fourth place in the 2021 European Ladies’ Amateur Championship, has learned the magnitude of stepping into a tee box on the world’s most famous golf course.
“The opportunity to play such fantastic golf courses with a strong field, with players from all over the world, is incredible,” said Wallin. “Playing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur has given me experiences on how I imagine professional golf to be.”
Because of the enormity of the events surrounding the actual golf tournament, Wallin is challenged to pick her favorite part of the week, with traditions ranging from the welcome dinner to skipping a ball across the pond on Hole 16 in the practice round to playing the famed Augusta National Course.
“There are so many great things with the event that it is hard to pick only one thing that stands out,” said Wallin. “A big aspect is that the whole field gets to play on Augusta National. It is also very cool to play the final round with so many people walking around watching you and cheering you on.”
With so many big moments and huge events during her incredibly successful amateur and collegiate career, Wallin will rely on her abilities as she plays on golf’s grandest stage at Augusta.
