Idaho’s Sophie Hausmann tees it up with best of the best at Augusta National Women’s Amateur

University of Idaho senior Sophie Hausmann’s young career is packed with highlights, including playing in the U.S. Women’s Open and the U.S. and British open amateurs.

Make room for another important milestone for the 21-year-old Hausmann and women’s golf.

Hausmann is one of 72 players in an impressive field at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Yes, that Augusta (Georgia) National Golf Club, home of the Masters, perhaps the sport’s most prestigious event.

“It’s pretty cool, super exciting and to see all the advertisements (for the tournament) as soon as I got here, I’m more in awe of what a big deal it is,” Hausmann said.

The ANWA begins with rounds Wednesday and Thursday at the nearby Champions Retreat course. The field will be cut to 30 before Saturday’s final round at Augusta National, televised on NBC. Every player in the field is eligible to play a practice round Friday at Augusta National.

Hausmann said she’s played some of the top courses in the U.S. and England but nothing that compares to Augusta National. Her parents played Pebble Beach many years ago, but she was too young to join them.

Hausmann always makes time to watch the Masters, no matter where she is at the time.

“Oh yes, they have it on livestream online,” she said. “Even if you have class, you have to watch it.”

Hausmann had to survive a cut of sorts to make the field, which is open to the top 30 Americans in the World Amateur rankings, the top 30 international players and winners of selected amateur events. Hausmann, a native of Germany, was just outside the international top 30, but a few players ahead of her declined and she received an invitation.

Hausmann, who is No. 71 in the World Amateur rankings and has been as high as 53, and her mom were on their way Tuesday night to the Chairman’s Dinner. Nancy Lopez, Annika Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa and Se Ri Pak will be guests at a players-only function Friday, and the four will be part of a first-tee ceremony during Saturday’s final round.

Augusta National, founded in 1932, didn’t have female members until former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore joined in 2012.

Roughly seven years later, the famed course is hosting a premier tournament in women’s amateur golf.

“It means a lot and I think it’s a good step forward for women’s golf,” said Hausmann, a two-time Big Sky Conference individual champion and three-time All-Big Sky first-team selection.

Her initial goal is to make the 36-hole cut “and then go from there.”

“She’s confident and she knows she can compete with everyone here,” said Vandals coach Lisa Johnson, who will be in the gallery following Hausmann. “She’s played with nearly all of them, especially the Europeans. She plays with them in the summer.”

The final round at Augusta National will be played at 6,365 yards from a combination of the member tees. The course can stretch to 7,435 yards for the Masters, which will be held April 11-14.