Amateur golfer Addie Dobson qualifies for U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera
Dobson’s qualification from St. Louis qualifier sparks local interest in Jacksonville, Illinois
Addie Dobson, a 22-year-old senior at the University of Missouri, has qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open to be held at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles County. The qualification follows a strong performance at the qualifier at Meadowbrook Country Club in St. Louis, where Dobson finished in the top five of the field.
Dobson began playing golf at age 15 after finding a ball with a University of Missouri logo on a local range, an item she has kept in her bag ever since. Her transition from a high school athlete who played basketball and softball to a collegiate golfer has been marked by steady improvement, with her scoring average dropping from 76.67 as a freshman to four strokes lower by her senior year.
The qualifier at Meadowbrook saw Dobson shoot an opening round score of 66 and tie for the lead after the second 18 holes. Her father, Kenny Dobson, noted the surreal nature of the achievement, recalling how he initially doubted the results before receiving a call from his daughter confirming her place in the tournament.
Dobson is one of 28 amateurs competing in the field, which also includes nine of the top 10 players in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Despite her current world ranking of No. 2,075, her qualification highlights the inclusive nature of the event, allowing players without traditional professional resumes to compete against established tour professionals.
Her success has resonated in her hometown of Jacksonville, Illinois, a community of 18,000 residents. Local youth golf programs have drawn inspiration from her journey, with plans for Dobson to conduct clinics for junior players during her winter break. The Dobson family has rented a four-bedroom house in Pacific Palisades for the tournament, where a local junior player will join her entourage.
The University of Missouri women’s golf team recently qualified for its second NCAA Championship appearance, with Dobson competing in the finals near San Diego. Her coach, Craig Onsrud of Illinois Wesleyan University, who has advised her since her high school days, noted her natural swing and ongoing development in accuracy and confidence.
Dobson’s qualification marks a significant shift in her athletic trajectory, with turning professional previously not being a consideration until this year. Her achievement underscores the potential for late starters to reach the highest levels of the sport, provided they maintain dedication and technical refinement.
