ASU Women’s Golf: Grant, Fanali represent Sun Devils at European Amateur Championships

(Photo courtesy: Sun Devil Athletics)

Arizona State women’s golf team members Linn Grant and Alessandra Fanali represented their school and country at the 2020 European Amateur Championships.

“This is a big deal in Europe. Playing in this tournament for the past six years, I know most of the girls and everyone is very competitive, but we’re all still friends,” Grant said of the event, widely regarded as the most prestigious individual amateur event on the continent.

“It’s a great event and EGA (European Golf Association) does a great job in hosting it.”

Both golfers finished in the top 15 of the tournament, marking an incredible finish by two golfers that come from one of the top programs in the NCAA.

The tournament took place at CUBO Golf Course Ljubljana in Slovenia. Grant, representing Sweden, and Fanali, representing Italy, both enjoyed a successful tournament. For the second consecutive year, Grant finished in the top ten, placing at sixth place in the 89-person field, as she shot 274 (-10).

“It’s super competitive but it’s still such a fun tournament to play in,” said Grant, who’s a redshirt freshman on the Sun Devil roster.

After shooting a 70 on day one, she made sure she never went above that number the rest of the tourney. The final three days of the tournament saw her shoot 68, 67, & 69 respectively.

What made her so successful? Taking each round one at a time.

“My mindset has been shooting -3 today and -3 tomorrow instead of -7 just today,” Grant said.

Her ASU Teammate, Fanali, finished tied for 13th, shooting 278 (-6). She began the tournament off strong with a 67 (-4) in the first round, one of only 10 golfers to reach that stroke total in the first 18 holes.

“Having played in the tournament last year, I was really ready to go for a win this year,” Grant said. “It gave me a chance mentally going in to win it this year. It’s always nice to have that one tournament in your backpack going in.”

Grant and Fanali, as well as Alexandra Forsterling also competed in the European Ladies’ Team Championship in the middle of September. Grant and ASU teammate Alexandra Forsterling competed in the final match against each other representing their native countries, Sweden and Germany.

Sweden hosted the annual European amateur event at the Upsala Golf Club. The course was founded in 1937 making it the 22nd oldest out of 460 in the Swedish Golf Federation.

Grant clinched the championship by sinking the winning putt on the 16th hole after a closely contested match, winning it over Forsterling and Germany to help Sweden to their third consecutive European Team Championship and their 10th overall.

“We’re more used to being in our national teams than ASU team,” said Grant, “but it was still weird to see each other there and not being on the same team, but we still try to give each other compliments throughout the week.”

Fanali also competed in the event for Italy. She finished 2-0 in her foursome matches, as Italy defeated Iceland and France. The Sun Devil trio combined for a 7-2 record in their nine matches at the 2020 European Team Championships.

Grant noted some of the athletes that are much younger, some as young as 15 years-old, are a motivating factor and a signal to step up her game.

While the two gained invaluable experience in their home continent, they also have big things on their mind coming back to Tempe. With a strong returning core and recruiting class, the program will have one of the most well-rounded rosters in the nation.

Grant was one of 11 First Team All-Americans recognized by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association in her freshman campaign. She finished in the Top-10 at five of her seven tournaments, while taking home Individual Medalist honors, leading her team to a victory at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, the only Sun Devil to pick up an individual win in 2020.

“When I came in, I was so focused on being able to win tournaments, and have a lot of top 10 finishes,” Grant said. “I loved traveling with the team, playing in the tournaments in different places and seeing more places in America.”

Fanali also had a fantastic season, this one her sophomore year. She emerged as a reliable and consistent piece of the Sun Devil lineup, helping Arizona State finish at No. 3 in the final national polls. She was the Individual Champion of the Duel in the Desert (-4/68), helping lead the Sun Devils to victory over Denver and No. 16 UCLA while beating out 20 other golfers for the top spot. Her efforts earned her an honorable mention nomination by the WGCA last season.

Grant’s ultimate goal is to become a professional in this sport, but she knows her job isn’t finished just yet. With inconsistent competition, it has become more difficult for ASU golfers to get actual match-like reps in.

“I think I have to mature in some ways in my game, but I’m on the right path. There are small things I have to nail before I take that step,” commented Grant.