It was a big day for the Women’s Southern Nevada Golf Association last week as Renee Rocco, who currently serves as Executive Director of Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association, advanced to the 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Also advancing to the U.S. Women’s Senior Am that day in a separate qualifier was member Ronda Henderson. –by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider
Rocco carded a three-over-par 75 and earned one of three spots out of the Arizona qualifier which was held Aug. 17, 2023, at The Mirabel Club in Scottsdale, AZ.
Rocco, along with Kirsty Hodgkins and Alyssa Burritt, advance to the national event which will be held Sept. 9-14, 2023, at Stonewall (North Course) in Elverson, PA.
It will be Rocco’s first venture into the national spotlight and she’s looking forward to the adventure.
“It’s going to be my first national tournament and it’s definitely both exciting and intimidating,” she said. “It’s a totally new opportunity for me. It will be different being on the player side rather than the administrative side.”
She said she went into the tournament with a goal in mind but no expectations.
“I really didn’t think I would qualify,” she said. “I looked at some of the players in the field and thought there were some pretty good players. I just went out with a goal to shoot 76 or better. I shot 75 so I did do that.”
She said her overall play was pretty solid…with a few mishaps along the way.
“I was hitting the ball really well,” she said. “I was happy with my game. I did have a couple of bad chips and made some bogeys. I didn’t go into the round with the expectation of going bogey-free. I just wanted to play my game and play well.”
After the round, Rocco found out how well the Vegas golf community has each other’s back.
“I had a great support system cheering me on,” she said. “I didn’t have my phone on during the round but when I looked at it afterwards I had more than 20 texts from the KGA, the group I play with each week, congratulating me. It’s amazing to have that kind of support.”
In the end, now it’s on to Pennsylvania.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” she said. “I just want to string together two good rounds of stroke play. If it works and I make it to match play, that’s great.”
She said she’s really looking forward to the experience.
“I’ve heard USGA events, from the biggest down to the smallest, are one of the most amazing experiences golfers will have,” she said. “It will be a cool experience and I can’t wait to take it all in.”
U.S. Women’s Mid-Am Qualifier
Kirsty Hodgkins, 72
Alyssa Burritt, 73
Renee Rocco, 75
