Aug. 5, 2004

OXFORD, Miss. -

Follow the 104th U.S. Women's Amateur by clicking the following link: www.uswamateur.org

Ole Miss head women's golf coach Meghan Bolger has qualified for the 2004 U.S. Women's Amateur, which begins Aug. 9 at The Kahkwa Club in Erie, Pa.

Bolger, a native of Haddonfield, N.J., will begin on the first hole Monday at 12:35 p.m., and will go off the 10th tee Tuesday at 7:50 a.m. The field will be trimmed after day two, with match play beginning on Wednesday. The championship round is slated for Aug. 15.

"The United States Golf Association puts on a wonderful event and I'm really looking forward to it," Bolger said Thursday. "This is the biggest tournament on the women's amateur circuit and the competition will be very strong. I'm excited about having the opportunity to compete against some of the nation's top amateur golfers and other great players from around the world."

Bolger has made it to this stage of the U.S. Women's Amateur twice. In 2000, she played at the Waverley Country Club in Portland, Ore. In 2001, she competed at the Flint Hills National Golf Club in Andover, Kan.

"My main goal (this year) is to survive the cut," Bolger said. "I really want to qualify for match play this time around."

The fourth-year Ole Miss coach earned a berth in the 2004 event by firing a 76 at the sectional qualifier, July 8 at the Country Club at Woodmore in Mitchellville, Md.

Bolger has continued to play competitively since graduating from Tulane University in 2000. Last month, the Lady Rebel mentor captured her sixth straight Philadelphia Amateur title.

"I just love the sport and love the amateur level," Bolger added. "There are a lot of incredible tournaments out there and, unfortunately, you can only play in so many. It's really special to qualify for a tournament of this magnitude and to be recognized at this level.

"I have learned a lot in four years of coaching and think that has helped me improve my own game. I am at the point where I just go out and play. At this stage of my playing career, I try to avoid putting any extra pressure on myself."

The U.S. Women's Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA. As of July 30, representatives from 14 different countries had either qualified or were fully exempt for the 2004 event. A record 868 contestants entered this year's tourney.