BANDON, Oregon — Scarlett Schremmer drives the ball higher than many recreational golfers. However, Bandon Dunes is not a course where hitting the ball high is advantageous.
Gales sweeping from the Pacific Ocean envelop the stunning Oregon course like a layer, picking up poorly struck golf balls and carrying them into hidden corners of the area. On favorable days, the wind can turn an excellent shot into an ordinary one and render a poor shot unremarkable. When the winds are strong, they can eliminate any chance of playing well.
Schremmer, raised as a surfer in Hawaii before shifting his focus to golf, understood how to battle at the competition level. 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur She realized she needed to make an adjustment. So she did. She switched from a Callaway Chrome Tour X+ to a Chrome Tour X during Sunday's practice round, and this alteration proved beneficial on Monday.
Schremmer carded a 3-under-par 69 on Monday and finds herself just one stroke behind the leader following the first round of stroke play. She will start early Tuesday under more favorable conditions, but with only 18 holes remaining before match play begins, another solid performance could put her in line for the Robert Cox Trophy.
I somewhat had difficulty with it during the practice round. However, I believe switching golf balls made a big difference, along with having my mother there," Schremmer mentioned. "I was essentially using the most spinny ball available, but now I'm right in the center.
What emerged from the changes? Six birdies, three bogeys, and an early presence towards the top of the leaderboards for an energetic Schremmer, the new freshman at Texas A&M who failed to qualify for the U.S. Girls' Junior just three weeks prior in Atlanta. At one stage during the first round, Schremmer shared the lead at 4 under par but needed a birdie on the final hole to finish within striking distance.
Her final USGA competition, the U.S. Girls' Junior, has been an issue for her ever since she returned home following the stroke play round. That disappointment paled in comparison to what happened on Monday.
The U.S. Girls' Junior was really tough," she said. "I thought I had a good chance coming into the tournament, so it was very disappointing to have to go home early. It definitely pushed me harder, and I'm glad to be here now, starting a fresh page as I finish up my junior golf journey.
This piece was first published on: This equipment shift has ex-surfer Scarlett Schremmer competing in the U.S. Women's Amateur.