Former Houston golf star, Tennessee freshman Sophie Christopher ready for U.S. Women's Amateur

Former Houston golf star, Tennessee freshman Sophie Christopher ready for U.S. Women’s Amateur

Posted by author August 5, 2024 Golf

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Sophie Christopher can check off another significant milestone.

The Tennessee freshman and former Houston High golf star begins play in the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning Monday.

The prestigious tournament boasts a winners’ list that includes the likes of Julie Inkster and Grace Park. Annika Sorenstam was runner-up in 1992.

While Christopher will test her skills against some of the world’s top amateurs, she has thrived off living the life of a normal teenager. Her golf journey began very young.

“Definitely when I was younger, 6 or 7 (years old), when I first started, my parents were focused on just making it fun,” said Christopher.

Despite her parent’s unwavering support, they allowed her to develop a passion for golf.

“They’ve always given great guidance, but they’ve never been super involved in getting me out on the course or making me do certain drills,” said Christopher.

Christopher was one of 25 nominees for the 2022-23 USA Today National Girls Golfer of the Year, a member of the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class AA All-State team and Tennessee Junior Cup team in 2022, and a Commercial Appeal All-metro golf selection in 2023. She won the Tennessee Girls Junior Amateur Championship in 2022, and is ranked the No. 1,263 amateur in the world, according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Even with all her success, qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Amateur was unexpected.

“This is one of the oldest women’s golf tournaments in the world, and it’s such an amazing opportunity to go up there and play against the best amateurs that are out there,” she said.

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A big key in maintaining success has been remaining grounded and valuing the importance of a balanced life.

“I think my education is so important, and important (to me) to have that normal upbringing, like going to a normal high school. Having to get up at 7:30 in the morning, go to class, making friends the normal way, just having that balance so golf doesn’t completely overtake my life,” Christopher said.

You can reach writer Josh Crawford via email @joshua.crawford@commercialappeal.com or via X @JCrawford5656