Championship Information
Date: October 16-18, 2023
Host Club: Hot Springs Country Club – Park Course
Address: 101 Country Club Dr, Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: (501) 624-2661
WSGA Contact: Tournament Director – Amy Worthington
Entry & Eligibility
Entries Open: July 26, 2023 at 9:00 AM (CST)
Entries Close: September 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM (CST)
Withdraw Date: September 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM (CST)
Entry Fee: $350 per person
Eligibility: Entry into the WSGA Senior Championship is open to amateur female golfers who have reached their fiftieth birthday by October 16th, have a USGA handicap index not exceeding 23.5, and are members of the WSGA through a WSGA member golf club or women’s golf organization located within the 15 southern states and District of Columbia. All players must also have a physical address within the 15 southern states or the District of Columbia. All golf clubs and women’s golf organizations are eligible to join the WSGA by paying $35.00 dues. For information on how to join the WSGA, click here.
Please submit dues using the following address:
Lecia Alexander, WSGA Treasurer
12334 Meadow Ridge
Stafford, TX 77477
All contestants must have a handicap index computed under a USGA Handicap System and must be issued from a “golf club” which is licensed to the USGA Handicap System. Membership must be current as of the entry closing. A contestant may remit dues for her club.
Entry Procedure: The field will be limited to 112 players. The entries of the top 32 players and ties with the lowest handicap index received by August 9, 2023 at 5:00 PM (CST) will have priority entry. All other entries will be based on order of receipt. If entry applications exceed 112 on September 20, a wait list will be established according to the date of entry.
Withdraw Policy: Prior to the entry deadline players looking to withdraw should do so online through their Golf Genius profile to receive an immediate refund and withdrawal. After the entry deadline has passed players should either call the Tournament Director, Amy Worthington at (214) 468-8942 or aworthington@txga.org. Only withdrawals on the day of the competition should be directed to the host club golf shop.
Refund Policy: If a player withdraws prior to the entry withdraw date she will receive a full refund, less a $25.00 administrative fee. If a player withdraws after the withdraw date has passed, the player will not receive a refund unless the spot is filled by a wait-listed player (the $25.00 administrative fee is still applicable in this circumstance). However, if the player withdraws within three business days, prior to the day of the first round, and the spot is filled with an alternate player, she will receive a 50% refund of the entry fee. In exceptional circumstances, a player may file a written appeal for a refund to the Championship Decisions Committee. These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Exemptions: The most recent Women’s Senior Amateur Champion from the 15 southern states will receive an exemption into the WSGA Senior Amateur Championship. If a state’s 2023 Senior Amateur Championship does not take place prior to entries opening (July 26, 2023, at 9:00 AM (CST), then the 2022 Champion will receive the exemption and the 2023 Champion will be exempt in 2024. The registration deadline for exempt players will be August 9 at 5:00 PM (CST).
Automatic entry will be given to the past three (3) WSGA Senior Champions registered by the exemption deadline, August 9 at 5:00 PM (CST):
- Kelley Nittoli San Antonio, TX (2022)
- Kathy Hartwiger Birmingham, AL (2021)
- Kim Keyer-Scott Bonita Springs, FL (2020)
Note: Exempt players must enter by the exemption deadline, or they may lose their spot in the field.
Championship Information
Player Field: 112 players
Format: Play will be contested over 54 holes of Stroke Play. Upon completion of Round 2, the field will be broken into flights based on 36-hole scores. The committee reserves the right to determine flight size based on the number of entries. Awards will be presented in all flights.
The last day to change divisions will be Wednesday, October 11 at 5:00 PM.
Divisions/Tees: There will be two sets of tees (approximately 5,700 and 5,300 yards). Players must declare which set of tees from which they wish to play. The 2023 WSGA Senior and Super Senior Champions will come from those players who play from the longer yardage unless there are no super seniors competing at the longer yardage.
The last day to change divisions will be Wednesday, October 11 at 5:00 PM.
What’s Included: The entry fee includes cart fees, range balls, practice round, three rounds of tournament play, welcome reception, awards lunch, and prizes.
Practice Rounds: Each player is allowed one (1) complimentary practice round at Hot Springs Country Club on Sunday, October 15. Players must contact the host club golf shop and identify themselves as competitors in the WSGA Senior Amateur Championship to schedule a practice round. Players may call the golf shop to schedule their practice round starting after the field is confirmed.
Registration Information: Player registration will be held on Sunday, October 15 between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM. All players are required to check in person. In case of an emergency, players unable to attend registration must contact Amy Worthington at (214) 468-8942.
Hotel Information
Double Tree by Hilton Hot Springs
4813 Central Ave Hot Springs, AR 71913
(Hotel near waterfront at Ouachita River / Lake Hamilton)
501-525-1391
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hot Springs
206 Mehta Court Hot Springs, AR 71913
(off Central Avenue)
501-463-5600
Best Western Winners Circle
2520 Central Ave Hot Springs, AR 71901
(Hotel is across the street from Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort – it is not horse-racing season, but casino should be open.)
501-624-2531
Note: There is also Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn, plus others in Hot Springs area. Also note that the Arlington Hotel is being remodeled.
Prizes/Awards: Katherine Graham Senior Trophy will be awarded to the Champion. The Super Senior Trophy will be awarded to the contestant in the championship division who has reached her 70th birthday by October 16, 2023, and has the lowest 54-hole gross score.
Policies & Procedures: To view WSGA Policies and Procedures, please visit the WSGA website.
Transportation: Players must ride throughout the championship. Carts are limited to two (2) players at a time and a maximum of two (2) carts per group. Players MUST share carts if applicable. Riding on the back of golf carts is prohibited. Personal caddies are not permitted during the championship.
WSGA Medical Cart Request Policy: Spectator carts are prohibited. However, spectators may request golf carts in accordance with ADA compliance standards. Requests for golf carts must be emailed to the Tournament Director, Amy Worthington – aworthington@txga.org supported by complete documentation and the required accompanying medical documentation specified in that form for all first-time requests. A request will not be deemed complete until all required information and documentation have been provided. This must be completed by October 13 at 5:00 PM (CST).
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, July 26
9:00 AM (CST) – Entries Open
Wednesday, August 9
5:00 PM (CST) – Exemption Deadline
Wednesday, September 20
5:00 PM (CST) – Entries Close/Withdrawal Deadline
Sunday, October 15
All Day – Practice Rounds
8:00 AM-1:00 PM – Registration
6:00 PM – Welcome Party & Cocktails (No Host)
6:30 PM – Dinner
Monday, October 16
9:00 AM – Round 1 (Shotgun Start)
Tuesday, October 17
9:00 AM – Round 2 (Shotgun Start)
Wednesday, October 18
9:00 AM – Round 3 (Shotgun Start)
Following Play – Awards Luncheon