Many times, distinguishing spam contacts from legitimate ones can be a tricky task, and a similar mistake nearly cost an amateur golfer her chance to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

The tournament featuring some of the best amateur golfers from 23 countries is currently on the way, with April 4 being its last day. Just like the others, the World Amateur No. 273, Veronika Kedronova, is also competing in the tournament. However, she wouldn't have been here had she not received the invitation call, which she presumed was "spam".

A report on Augusta National's official website disclosed how she almost missed the tournament. “I get a lot of spam calls because I have a cheap plan,” said the Czech native, Kedronova. “So I saw that it said Augusta, Georgia, at the bottom line and was like, oh, that must be spam.”

Kedronova was about to dismiss the call, but in the end decided against that. She was attending a corporate finance class at Kent State University in Ohio when the call entered. Stepping out of the class to receive it was probably the best decision of her life.

However, she failed to restrict her tears of joy after she received the call, which came with the opportunity to play at the Augusta National. Kedronova described, “I sunk to the floor and I started crying because I knew I was kind of on the cut line and I was just assuming not, because I saw people already getting invitations,” Kedronova said.

Kedronova’s invitation came as a result of her three collegiate victories this season. She was named MAC Golfer of the Year last season.

However, she is far from being the only golfer who will be playing in the tournament for the first time.

Other Notable First Timers at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Several other amateur golfers will also play the Augusta National for the first time this year, just like Kedronova. 15-year-old Yujie Liu from China is the youngest one on this list. Last year, she won a tournament on the China LPGA Tour by five strokes to qualify for the tournament.

The USA's Brooke Biermann is another familiar name on the roster, who will also be competing in the event for the first time. She was a part of the 2018 Drive, Chip, and Putt National Finals.

Reflecting upon her inclusion in the list of participants, Biermann said, “It took me a little while to qualify after several years of being close, but the dream never stopped. And I’d watch every single year because it’s such an amazing event and it portrays women’s golf so well and amateur golf in general so well.”

Prim Prachnakorn of Thailand and Marie Eline Madsen of Denmark also had their own fair share of success and hence were selected to participate for the first time.

So, while Kedronova entered the tournament after receiving the "spam" call, do you think she will be able to show her mettle on the course?

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Souvik Roy