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North Carolina
Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 91
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Posted: Jun/26/2008 12:36 PM PST
The early returns today show us that Maria Jose Uribe is in 2nd place. Do you know this kid?
She's a freshman at UCLA. I was knocked out last year watching her take on Duke University's Amanda Blumenherst. Maria was all alone there, up from Colombia, with only the Hispanic ground crew on hand to cheer for her. Blumenherst was there with her stellar record and full family entourage. Trundling along the fairways talking to herself, showing her Latin American emotions with nearly every swing of the club, Uribe won by a stroke. I told myself, "Keep your eye on that little girl to rise." Since then I've been following what meager reporting I could find on her stats, on the UCLA website and in Golf World magazine.
So I'm psyched that she's near the top of the leaderboard, just a few hours into the contest. ESPN will provide TV coverage for her group Friday afternoon. I like it when I can pick a winner, early on.
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North Carolina
Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 91
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Posted: Jun/27/2008 8:36 PM PST
Well, little Maria dialed a 74 today (Friday). Still tied for 9th at 3-under. Yesterday the reporters asked her if she felt pressured playing against the world's best (meaning Annika, Lorena, Christie, and Paula -- maybe they should have mentioned the Asian onslaught). She smiled and said, "You only get 18 holes, so you may as well have fun!" That's a great attitude for a young amateur. I hope she feels that way tonight, and has some serious fun tomorrow. So much is decided on Saturday.
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North Carolina
Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 91
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Posted: Jun/28/2008 7:04 PM PST
Maria's just five strokes off the lead at close of play on Saturday, in 7th place, ahead of superstar Sorenstam and behind superstar Creamer -- go, girl! But my wife says the Stacy Lewis story is more compelling, with years in the back brace and steel rods in the spine and all that.
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Richmond, KY
Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 76
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Posted: Jun/29/2008 12:11 AM PST
I liked the 13 year old..thats crazy.
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North Carolina
Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 91
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Posted: Jun/30/2008 3:11 PM PST
I'm proud of Maria -- she finished tied for 10th, seven strokes back, and far ahead of some "heavy hitters" on the LPGA. Now, as an amateur and full-time college student, she'll vanish from view until the her next competition, whenever that may be.
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North Carolina
Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 91
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Posted: Jul/08/2008 8:44 AM PST
Just an addendum: I watched the Women's Open all three of the four days, including the day Maria's threesome was featured, and saw her playing maybe 3-4 minutes TOTAL, mostly putting. There was a very brief soundbite interview. Oh well.
But then, the latest issue of Golf World mag arrives, and bless them, they've devoted a couple pages and photo to Maria and her fellow women's amateurs, including Amanda Blumenhurst, her "rival" for top spot in the nation. That's why Golf World stands as a genre all on its own -- covering the sport in depth, and staying away from club reviews, "how-to" articles, top-10 courses, etc.
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