Anika Varma
17-year-old Anika Varma, formerly from Noida and now a high school student in Sacramento, California, shot 74-70-72 (Even par, 216) to finish a commendable 4th in a strong field of 75 of the best high school female amateurs in America at the annual 2021 Cactus Collegiate Challenge tournament.
The Cactus Collegiate Challenge is a 54-hole stroke play championship for female college prospects and older high schoolers. It was played at Longbow Golf Club in Arizona from Dec. 28th-30th.
Varma has already committed to play for the Oregon University’s Women’s Golf Team from 2022 to 2026. Currently training under Noah Montgomery in California, Varma has had a significant amateur career in India and has performed exceptionally well this summer in California amateur events.
Last November in Abu Dhabi, Varma recorded the best finish ever by an Indian – 9th, at the prestigious Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific (WAAP) Championship, while representing the Indian team.
In 2020-21, Varma played several Cactus Pro Tour events in Arizona, with a best finish of tied-2nd in March. In October 2019, at just age 15, Varma had recorded a fabulous fifth place finish at the Ladies European Tour’s Hero Women’s Indian Open at DLF Golf & CC, Gurgaon.
Credits:-
Photo – Noah Montgomery