Rinko Mitsunaga, a 15-year old member of the Country Club of Roswell Junior Golf Program, qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open to be held July 5-8 at Blackwolf Run® in Kohler, Wisconsin. Mitsunaga was one of 19 teenagers who qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open. Mitsunaga’s third place finish at the Carolina Trace Country Club in Sanford, North Carolina earned the teenager her spot in the Open.

“I am ready to play with the best players in the world,” said Mitsunaga. “I feel nervous, but ready!”

“Rinko has been a part of the junior golf program at CCR since she was about 6 years old” said Jackie Cannizzo, Junior Golf Director at CCR. “All of the professionals have taken her under our wing and help her with her game in some way. Her Dad is her coach, but is always looking for a second set of eyes. She is a very talented player and we love the opportunity to be involved with her progress.”

For the past two years, the Esther Cannizzo Junior Golf Foundation (www.esthercannizzogolffoundation.org) has helped her with tournament expenses since Mitsunaga’s success requires her to travel. “We are happy to help her as she embodies the values that we look for: she works hard, she’s very respectful and has a great attitude,” says Cannizzo, president of the Foundation.

The CCR junior program, headed by Jackie Cannizzo, has 125 active members. The juniors in the program compete in Atlanta Junior Golf, Georgia PGA, SJGT, AJGA and several have gone on to play college golf including Lauren Judson at Southern Mississippi, Wallis Fairvalley at Birmingham Southern, Austin Glover at Georgia College and State University, Sam Braver at the University of Oklahoma, Katie Voll at The University of Mississippi, Max Van Dresser at Valdosta State, Michael Motz at Marquette University, Ben Spickard at University of Tennessee and Wes Nobles at Lee University.

Country Club of Roswell is a private, member-owned, family-focused country club on the east side of Roswell. The Club features an 18-hole golf course, aquatic center, tennis facility, and full-service clubhouse and garden. More information about CCR is available on the website at www.ccroswell.com.