By Mike May
Zionsville-native Annabelle Pancake had a ‘bucket-list’ summer. Hopefully her experiences this year will provide the foundation for a successful career on the LPGA Tour. She competed in both amateur and professional tournaments in California, Pinehurst, French Lick and Midland, Michigan, plus The Princes Club in Kent, England.
The high point had to be her runner-up finish at the 120th Women’s (British) Amateur at historic Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England. It was Annabelle’s first-ever golf tournament in England and it was one that she will never forget.
Prince’s Golf Club has a long and distinguished history. This was the third time hosting The Women’s Amateur, but the first, since 1964. Prince’s was also the site of the 1956 Curtis Cup and the 1932 (British) Open Championships, won by Gene Sarazen.
After 36 holes of medal play, Pancake finished inside the top 64 to advance to the match play portion of the event. She played some of the best golf of her life and blew through the early matches to make it to the final match versus Chiara Horder from Germany.
Annabelle was hoping to be the first American to win this event since Kelli Kuehne in 1996. With her mother, Libby serving as her caddie and her father Tony, who is the Director of Golf at Crooked Stick Golf Club, walking alongside in the gallery, she had strong parental support.
A win in the Women’s Amateur puts your name on a very distinguished list of past winners including, current LPGA stars, Leona Maguire, Georgia Hall, and Anna Nordquist.
Plus, the winner of the Women’s Amateur receives exemptions into the Women’s OPEN, The Evian Championship and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship. All prestigious events to be sure.
In the 36-hole final match Annabelle fell behind early and was three down at the end of the first 18 holes. She didn’t fare much better in the afternoon match and was defeated 7-6 by the German.
“My goal is always to beat the golf course and the golf course kind of kicked me around today,” recalled Annabelle. “Chiara played great. She definitely had a great day and I kind of struggled but that’s okay. I’m so thankful that I was able to come here and that I had a great time.“
When it was confirmed that Annabelle had earned a berth in the Sunday finale, Tony decided to make the trip to England to watch Annabelle play in the final.
“I found out that she was in the finals at 11:45 on Saturday morning,” recalls Tony. “I booked a ticket at 12:30 and on a flight at 2:30.”
The following morning, he hit the ground running in the British capital.
“I landed at 7:00 am in London and rented a car and drove the 90 miles to the course. I got there just before 10:00 AM. Annabelle was on the 9th hole. It was a crazy 24 hours and a miracle that I made it.”
Annabelle, of course, was thrilled to see her father in the gallery.
“When I saw him, it was such a special thing,” says Annabelle.”
After her strong runner-up performance in England, next up was the North and South Amateur at Pinehurst where she made it to the sweet 16 in match play.
In July, Annabelle traveled to Midland, Michigan to play in the LPGA’s Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational with her Clemson University teammate Savannah Grewal in the two-person team event.
In August, Annabelle played in the Epson Tour’s French Lick Charity Classic on the difficult Pete Dye Course. She missed the 36-hole cut and immediately headed west to California to play in the U.S. Women’s Amateur at the Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles.
Annabelle was not able to finish inside the top 64 in the medal play segment. Fatigue and the effects of world travel and high-pressure competition may have been an issue for the 21-year-old.
“Since it was such a tight turnaround after the Epson event, I really only had one day to play the course so I mostly took the time to keep my game tight and practice but my dad did a lot of studying of the course which was helpful,” recalls Annabelle.
Despite not advancing into the match-play stage of the tournament, Annabelle enjoyed the Bel-Air Country Club experience.
“That was such a cool experience — getting to play at one of the nicest clubs in LA,” says Annabelle. “It was in awesome condition and played tough, but that’s what made it fun and interesting. It was also fun getting to walk each hole and see the multi-millionaire homes surrounding us up in the hills because you don’t see houses like that every day.”
As Annabelle reflects on the summer of 2023, she is thankful for this unique opportunity.
“It was so much fun and a true blessing,” says Annabelle. “Just having the opportunity to get to play in those big-time events and play those incredible courses was such a great experience, I am so thankful.”
Annabelle is passionate about golf and her ability to make golf a career.
“I love what I do so I hope to make it my career,” states Annabelle. “It is all in God’s hands so I continue to trust and have faith in Him that He will provide for my future.”
As Annabelle looks back on her summer of competitive golf, she is confident she has the ability to play golf alongside today’s LPGA Tour players.
“I can compete with the best!” says Annabelle. “I still have a lot to work on and ways I can develop as a player, but even with my ‘B’ game, I was able to keep up with some of the best players and stay competitive.”
Annabelle is currently finishing up her degree in health sciences at Clemson. In less than a year, life will be much different.
“It is crazy to think I will be done with school, but my hope is to have turned professional and be preparing for qualifying school to get my (LPGA) tour card.”
Watch for her name at golf events, hopefully there will be another Hoosier on the LPGA Tour in the near future.
