Wanamarta, Hiestand, and Heinle Earn Medalist Honors at Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & Mid-Amateur

Briefly: Overcoming two challenging weather delays at the Qualifying round of the Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championship, the leaderboard at Hunting Creek Country Club of Prospect, Kentucky features some of America’s top golfers. Inez Wanamarta captured Medalist honors and the No. 1 seed in the Amateur Championship Flight with a score of 74. Rylea Marcum and Elle Johnson finished right behind to tie for second with a score of 75, both dropping in 2 birdies along the way. Gracie Heinle posted a 78 to claim Junior Medalist Honors. In the Mid-Amateur Division, Mary Jane Hiestand claimed Medalist Honors with a score of 72, shooting even for the day.

Leaderboard

Amateur Division:
1) Inez Wanamarta West Lafayette, Indiana 74
T2) Rylea Marcum Georgetown, Kentucky 75
T2) Elle Johnson Tallahassee, Florida 75
T4) Loralie Cowart Douglasville, Georgia 75
T4) Aysis Azarcon Grand Prairie, Texas 75
T4) Taylor Roberts Parkland, Florida 75
T4) Michaela Morard Huntsville, Alabama 75
T4) Caroline Caudill Clarksville, Tennessee 75

Mid-Amateur Division:
1) Mary Jane Hiestand Naples, Florida 72
2) Julia Potter-Bob Indianapolis, Indiana 73
3) Anna Schultz Heath, Texas 76
T4) Lucy Nunn Hattiesburg, Missouri 78
T4) Kathy Hartwiger Birmingham, Alabama 78

Results Day 1

Golf Course: Hunting Creek Country Club, founded in 1964, has been known for its congeniality as well as its gorgeous track and is located in the rolling hills of Prospect, Kentucky. The club, originally designed by club member Ben Wihry, was upgraded by Holt Golf Design in 2010 for a complete tee-to-green course renovation. Hunting Creek Country Club has hosted almost every major event throughout its history, including the Kentucky Amateur and the Kentucky Open.

Weather: Conditions were challenging throughout the day with on and off thunderstorms. There were two suspensions of play during the Qualifying round due to lightning in the area. The first suspension caused a 30-minute delay and the second caused a 2-hour delay before the lightning cleared the area for the players to resume.

In Contention: Rylea Marcum and Elle Johnson finished T2 for the Qualifying round with scores of 75, just one stroke back from leader Inez Wanamarta who posted a 74. In the Mid-Amateur Division, Julia Potter-Bob is very close behind posting a 73 which is also just one stroke behind the leader, Mary Jane Hiestand, who posted an even par with 72.

What’s Next: The Rounds of 32 and 8 in the Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championship Flights will be played Tuesday, starting at 8:00 a.m.

More Info: For more information on the 2022 Women’s Southern Amateur & Mid-Amateur click here.


Hartwiger Victorious at 36th Women's Southern Senior Amateur Championship

Gulf Shores, Ala. – Kathy Hartwiger, of Birmingham, Alabama won her first WSGA Senior Amateur Championship on Wednesday at Craft Farms Golf Resort, in the 36th edition of the championship. She played the Cypress Bend course at 3-under-par 213 for 54 holes.

Hartwiger sat tied for second after round one but rounds of two-under 70 and one-under 71 pushed her to a four-shot victory. Hartwiger’s final round was especially impressive, firing the only under-par score in Wednesday’s final round. The 10-time Alabama Women’s Amateur champion started with a pair of bogeys and one birdie on her opening nine. However, her closing nine holes included some of her best golf of the week. Hartwiger rolled in two birdies on holes 11 and 15 for a bogey-free back nine.

Kim Keyer-Scott of Estero, Florida, Marilyn Hardy of Magnolia, Texas and Mina Hardin of Fort Worth, Texas tied as runner ups after finishing at 1-over 217 total for the week.

Championship Division - Super Senior Champion

Beatriz Arenas of Wellington, Florida claimed the title of Super Senior Champion in the Championship Division finishing with a 54-hole total of 14-over par 230. Tied for second were Jewell Malick of Heath, Texas and Taffy Brower of Boynton Beach, Florida, both posting 54-hole scores of 27-over par 243. Both Malick and Brower are past WSGA Super Senior Champions.

Tournament Division

In the Tournament Division, Pam Posey of Bailey, Mississippi posted a 54-hole score of 11-over par 227, a total of five strokes ahead of runner up Maria Malone of Greensboro, North Carolina. In third place, Susan Miller of Loudon, Tennessee finished with a 54-hole score of 21-over par 237.

In the Tournament First Flight Division, Tracie Tolbert of Jackson, Mississippi posted a 54-hole score of 31-over par 247, a one stroke difference between runner-up Sherry Fox of Montgomery, Texas. In third place, Mary Payne of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia finished with a 54-hole score of 34-over par 250.

Champion of the Tournament Second Division came down to a scorecard tie-break between Paula Moore of Star City, Arkansas and former WSGA president Donna Meyer of Houston, Texas - both posted a 54-hole score of 39-over par 255. With her final-round 18-hole score of 81, it was Moore who claimed the victory. In third place, Diane Dillard of Montgomery, Texas finished with a 54-hole score of 42-over par 258.

In the Tournament Third Flight Division, Kerinda Rutledge of Birmingham, Alabama posted a 54-hole score of 56-over par 272, a two stroke difference between runner-up Karen Jahimiak of Estero, Florida.

Tournament Division - Super Senior Winner

Harriet Cauthen of Orange Beach, Alabama was named the Super Senior Champion in the Tournament Division, finishing with a 54-hole score of 48-over par 264. Runner up, Suzzette Kirchner of Tomball, Texas finished with a 63-over par 279.

The Women’s Southern Golf Association extends its most sincere gratitude to Craft Farms Golf Resort, including its staff and members, for all their hard work in creating such a welcoming atmosphere and memorable championship week. Special thanks are due to General Manager Chad Leonard, Head Golf Professional Ryan Mello, and Superintendent Jason Baumeister and his wonderful grounds crew. The 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship would not have been possible without their efforts.

For more information on the 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship, click here.

36th Women's Southern Senior Amateur Championship
October 6, 2021
Craft Farms Golf Resort – Cypress Bend
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Final Round Results
Par 72
Championship Yardage: 5,903
Tournament Yardage: 5,366


Hartwiger Leads 36th Women's Southern Senior Amateur Championship after 36 Holes

Gulf Shores, Ala. Kathy Hartwiger is 18 holes away from winning the 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship. The Alabama resident fired a tidy 2-under-par 70 in Tuesday’s second round at Craft Farms Golf Resort. Hartwiger started the day two shots back and now leads Texas’s Mina Hardin by two shots headed into Wednesday’s final round.

Play was suspended for a total of 1 hour and 52 minutes in the late afternoon due to lightning in the area during Tuesday’s second round.

Hartwiger, who posted three birdies Tuesday on the par-5 13th hole, is no stranger to success in her home state, having won 10 state amateur titles over three decades. She won her first state amateur title in 1999 and then ran off six consecutive titles from 2002-2007. Hartwiger added three more titles from 2010-12. She won her record 21st state title in July when she captured the Alabama Women’s State Senior Match Play Championship.

Her biggest win came on the national stage when she won the 2002 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Hartwiger is one of nine Alabama residents in the field. Through 36 holes of the 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship, she sits atop the leaderboard at 2-under 142.

In Contention

Sitting alone in second place is Mina Hardin, one of Texas’s fiercest competitors and longtime supporter of amateur golf in Texas. Hardin, round one co-leader, followed up her 1-under-par 71 with a second-round score of 1-over-par 73. She’s posted an even-par 144 through 36 holes.

Kim Keyer-Scott from Estero, Florida and round-one co-leader, Marilyn Hardy from Magnolia, Texas are one shot behind Hardin and three behind Hartwiger at 1-over-par 145. Keyer-Scott made three birdies and Hardy made two birdies on their way to a 1-over 73 in the second round.

Three players share a piece of fifth place at 4-over 146, including the 2016 Alabama Golf Association Senior Player of the Year, Susan West.

The final round of the 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship starts Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. For more information, click here.

36th Women's Southern Senior Amateur Championship
October 5, 2021
Craft Farms Golf Resort – Cypress Bend
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Round 2 Results
Par 72
Championship Yardage: 5,903
Tournament Yardage: 5,366


Two Texans Tied for Lead after Round 1 at 36th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship

Gulf Shores, Ala. The first round of the 36th annual Women’s Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship began Monday at 1:00 p.m. after play was suspended for a total of 5 hours and 30 minutes due to inclement weather and dangerous conditions in the area. The course recovered exceptionally well and stood tall against some of the best senior amateurs hailing from the southern states.

Mina Hardin of Fort Worth, Texas and Marilyn Hardy of Magnolia, Texas share the first-round lead of the 36th Women’s Southern Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship after turning in a phenomenal 1-under-par 71 at Craft Farms Golf Resort’s Cypress Bend course. Hardy and Hardin, the only players to finish under par, hold a one-shot lead over three others heading into Tuesday’s round.

In Contention

A stout field of experienced players are chasing the two Texans including Alabama native Kathy Hartwiger who sits tied for second. Hartwiger put together a strong round of even-par 72 to begin her charge for victory.

Also sitting tied for second are Kim Keyer-Scott of Estero, Florida and Gigi Higgins of Cape Coral, Florida. They will begin Tuesday one shot back of Hardy and Hardin after carding rounds of even-par 72 on the classic links-style course.

Jayne Pardus of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and Kimbra Benson of Leonardtown, Maryland sit tied sixth after carding rounds of 1-over-par 73.

This is the second Women’s Southern Golf Associations Senior Amateur Championship contested at Craft Farms Golf Resort, having played host to the 33rd annual championship in 2019. Among the eight past champions in the field looking to add their name to the Katharine Graham trophy for an additional time.

Golf Course

A perfect complement to its big sister, Cotton Creek, Cypress Bend has a coastal feel as it traverses a unique system of cord-grass accented lakes which come into play on nearly every hole. The Arnold Palmer-design offers 18 holes of spectacular golf, featuring staggered tee boxes, large undulating greens, sprawling bunkers and year-round lush and green conditions. The first round of the WSGA Senior Championship was played from 5903 yards in the Championship Division and 5366 yards in the Tournament Division.

The second round of the WSGA Senior Amateur Championship starts Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. For more information, click here.

 

36th Women’s Southern Senior Amateur Championship
October 4, 2021
Craft Farms Golf Resort – Cypress Bend
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Round 1 Results
Par 72
Championship Yardage: 5,903
Tournament Yardage: 5,366


Women with two trophies

Hinson-Tolchard, Connelly Win 2021 Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & 7th Mid-Amateur Championships

Lake Worth, Fl. – Oklahoma State University’s Maddison Hinson-Tolchard emerged victorious to win her first Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur Championship. Hinson-Tolchard says her putting “got me over the line” in her match; she poured in five birdie putts on her way to winning the final match. After many months of practice, Hinson-Tolchard was very excited to see her hard work finally paying off and it made for a very special win.

Co-Medalist and top seed Tara Connelly drained a birdie putt on the 18th hole to claim the Mid-Amateur Championship. In the Mid-Amateur First Flight, Jewell Malick battled back to win 1 up on the 18th hole after losing her 3 up lead on the 17th.

Leaderboard
Amateur – Final Match
Maddison Hinson-Tolchard def. Taylor Roberts 5 and 4
Mid-Amateur – Final Match
Tara Connelly def. Kim Keyer-Scott 1 up
Mid-Amateur – First Flight Final Match
Jewell Malick def. Lecia Alexander 1 up

Final Results

Golf Course

The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches, founded in 1983 and sitting on 170 acres, is one of the most luxurious and beautiful private clubs in Florida. The club, originally designed by Gentleman Joel Lee and upgraded by Kipp Schulties in 2007 to feature Mini-Verde greens. The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches served as host to the prestigious 2018 Florida Women’s Amateur Championship and 2021 Men’s Southern Invitational.

Weather

Consistent temperatures in the low 80s throughout the morning. The final round saw another beautiful sunny day with a nice breeze 10-15 mph out of the east by southeast.

In Contention

Florida State University’s Taylor Roberts was awarded the Amateur Championship Finalist after a tough match against Amateur Champion Hinson-Tolchard. In the Mid-Amateur Division, the 2020 WSGA Senior Amateur Champion, Kim Keyer-Scott claimed the Mid-Amateur Finalist after trading the lead all morning in a very close match with Mid-Amateur Champion Connelly. Mid-Amateur First Flight Finalist, Lecia Alexander, fought hard to erase Malick’s 3 up lead on the 17th, but Malick prevailed in the end.

What’s Next

The Women’s Southern Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship will be hosted at WinStar Resort and Casino October 5-7, 2021. The Women’s Southern Golf Association would like to extend our immense gratitude to the staff and members of The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches for hosting and making this event memorable for all who took part.

For more information on the 2021 Women’s Southern Amateur & Mid-Amateur, click here.


Finals Set For 2021 Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championships

Lake Worth, Florida – Oklahoma State University’s Maddison Hinson-Tolchard and Florida State University’s Taylor Roberts are set to face off for the title of Women’s Southern Amateur Champion. Hinson-Tolchard upset the Medalist and top seed Jenny Kim in 20 holes to move onto the final match while Roberts defeated the University of South Florida’s Ashley Zagers 6 and 5.

In the Mid-Amateur Division, Co-Medalist and top seed Tara Connelly will battle for the Mid-Amateur Champion against the 2020 WSGA Senior Amateur Champion Kim Keyer-Scott. Connelly won her Semifinal match against Dawn Woodard 4 and 3, while Jewell Malick bested Cindy Gilkeson on the 18th hole to win 1 up.  Lecia Alexander and Jewell Malick tee it up tomorrow morning for the Mid-Amateur First Flight Winner.

Results

Amateur – Semifinal Matches
Maddison Hinson-Tolchard def. Jenny Kim in 20 holes
Taylor Roberts def. Ashley Zagers 6 & 5

Amateur – Quarterfinal Matches
Jenny Kim def. Jillian Bourdage 1 up
Maddison Hinson-Tolchard def. Lisa Marie Rudometkin 5 & 4
Taylor Roberts def. Kayla Holden in 20 holes
Ashley Zagers def. Morgan Pankow 3 & 2

Mid-Amateur – Semifinal Matches
Tara Connelly def. Dawn Woodard 4 & 3
Kim Keyer-Scott def. Wendi Christensen 2 & 1

Mid-Amateur – Quarterfinal Matches
Tara Connelly def. Nancy Beck 4 & 3
Dawn Woodard def. Sarah Gallagher 3 & 2
Wendi Christensen def. Anna Schultz 3 & 1
Kim Keyer-Scott def. Heather Wall 1 up

Mid-Amateur – Semifinal Matches
Lecia Alexander def. Mimi Hoffman 4 & 3
Jewell Malick def. Cindy Gilkeson 1 up

Mid-Amateur First Flight – Quarterfinal Matches
Mimi Hoffman def. Mary Payne 3 & 2
Lecia Alexander def. Melissa Gotfredson in 19 holes
Cindy Gilkeson def. Sherry Fox 3 & 1
Jewell Malick def. Kathie Westlund 3 & 2

Semifinal Results | Final Round Pairings

Golf Course
The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches, founded in 1983 and sitting on 170 acres, is one of the most luxurious and beautiful private clubs in Florida. The club, originally designed by Gentleman Joel Lee, was upgraded by Kipp Schulties in 2007 to feature Mini-Verde greens. The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches served as host to the prestigious 2018 Florida Women’s Amateur Championship and 2021 Men’s Southern Invitational.

Weather
Temperatures started out in the low 80s and rose to a high of 89 by late afternoon. Winds were steady at 10-15mph out of the east by southeast with gusts of up to 20mph.

In Contention
Wednesday morning saw the quarterfinals play out with Jenny Kim winning her match 1 up over the 2021 US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball runner-up, Jillian Bourdage. Maddison Hinson-Tolchard defeated the University of San Francisco’s Lisa Marie Rudometkin 5 and 4 to move on to the Semifinals in the afternoon. Taylor Roberts took down Tennessee’s Kayla Holden in 20 holes.  Continuing the streak for Florida’s top golfers, Ashley Zagers of the University of South Florida defeated Morgan Pankow from the University of Miami 3 and 2.

In the Mid-Amateur Division, Co-Medalist Tara Connelly won her morning match against Nancy Beck  4 and 3 while the other Co-Medalist Wendi Christensen eliminated Anna Schultz 3 and 1. The number 5 seed, Dawn Woodard, dispatched Sarah Gallagher in the morning 3 and 2, and 2020 WSGA Senior Amateur Champion, Kim Keyer-Scott won 1 up against the number 3 seed, Heather Wall.

What’s Next
The championship matches will begin at 8:00 a.m. with live scoring provided.

For more information on the 2021 Women’s Southern Amateur & Mid-Amateur, click here.


Quarterfinals Set for 2021 Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championships

Lake Worth, Florida Jenny Kim continued her streak as the top seed in the Women’s Southern Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championship at The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches in Florida. After a Bye during the first match in the Round of 32 Tuesday morning she advanced to the Quarterfinals with a 6 and 4 win over Ximena Gonzalez Garcia Tuesday afternoon.

In the Mid-Amateur Division, Tara Connelly defeated Connie Bousquet 7 and 6 during the Round of 32 and eliminated Mary Jane Hiestand 2 and 1 in the Round of 16. The quarterfinalists head into another marathon day Wednesday with the Semifinals to be contested in the afternoon.

Leaderboard

Amateur – Round of 16 Matches
Jenny Kim def. Ximena Gonzalez Garcia 2 and 1
Maddison Hinson-Tolchard def. Cynthia Tu 4 and 3
Amateur – Round 32 Matches
Jenny Kim bye
Victoria England def. Mary Cassity 3 and 2
Jenna Fonda def. Emma Rynn 5 and 3
Maddison Hinson-Tolchard def. Mary Murray 6 and 5
Mid-Amateur – Round of 16 Matches
Tara Connelly def. Mary Jane Hiestand 2 and 1
Wendi Christensen def. Tama Caldabaugh 3 and 2
Heather Wall def. Joann Ferrieri 6 and 5
Sarah Gallagher def. Mina Hardin 2 and 1
Dawn Woodard def. Lin Culver 4 and 3
Mid-Amateur – Round of 32 Matches
Tara Connelly def. Connie Bousquet 7 and 6
Wendi Christensen def. Taffy Brower 5 and 4
Heather Wall def. Julie Robichaux 3 and 2
Sarah Gallagher def. Mina Hardin 2 and 1
Dawn Woodard def. Leslie Olive Henry 5 and 4

Round of 16 Results | Quarterfinal Pairings

Golf Course
The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches, founded in 1983 and sitting on 170 acres, is one of the most luxurious and beautiful private clubs in Florida. The club, originally designed by Gentleman Joel Lee, was upgraded by Kipp Schulties in 2007 to feature Mini-Verde greens. The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches served as host to the prestigious 2018 Florida Women’s Amateur Championship and 2021 Men’s Southern Invitational.

Weather
Tuesday was sunny and breezy with winds 10-15mph out of the east by southeast and gusts of up to 25 mph. Temperatures were consistent in the 80s reaching a high of 88 in the afternoon.

In Contention
Tuesday morning’s matches saw four of the top five Amateur seeds moving on from the round of 32. The 5 seed, Georgia Ruffolo, fell to Lisa Marie Rudometkin 2 up. Tuesday afternoon saw the 2 and 3 Amateur seeds tumble. Kayla Holden, the 15 seed, defeated Victoria England, the number 2 seed, in 20 holes; while the 3 seed and Junior Medalist, Jenna Fonda, exited the field after the 19 seed Ashley Zagers won 1 up.

All of the top five seeds in the Mid-Amateur Division: Tara Connelly, Wendi Christensen, Heather Wall, Sarah Gallagher, and Dawn Woodard are teeing it up Wednesday morning in search of the title of Mid-Amateur Champion.

What’s Next
Quarterfinal Matches begin at 7:30 a.m., and the Semifinals take place tomorrow afternoon starting at 12:30 p.m. for the Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championship Flights.

For more information on the 2021 Women’s Southern Amateur & Mid-Amateur, click here.


The Women's Southern Golf Association and the Texas Golf Association join forces to help promote Women's amateur Golf

Women’s Southern Golf Association and the Texas Golf Association

Join Forces to help promote Women’s Amateur Golf

After exploring many options the WSGA recently partnered with the Texas Golf Association in an effort to bolster the competitiveness of both entities. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, the TGA will oversee tournament administration for the WSGA, one of the oldest and most prestigious golf associations in the nation.

The TGA will help conduct the Women’s Southern Amateur Championship, Women’s Southern Mid-Amateur Championship and the Women’s Senior Amateur Championship as part of a two-year contract.

“Being involved with the TGA affords us an opportunity to partner with an organization whose core competency is tournament administration,” WSGA President Donna Kay Meyer said.  “The TGA is one of the elite golf associations in the United States and we are honored to be able to partner with them. We look forward to growing the game and promoting our brand together.”

The WSGA has a long and storied history dating back to 1911 when Mrs. Roger Smith of Nashville, TN captured the first title at Eastlake Golf Club in Atlanta. A number of well-known names have been engraved on the Championship Trophy through the years, including those of LPGA Tour Professionals and Major Champions Lexi Thompson and Stacy Lewis. Other recent winners include Sierra Brooks of Florida, Lucy Nunn of Oklahoma, Hally Leadbetter of Florida and Texan Calynne Roshult of Cedar Park, the two-time defending champion.

The 34th WSGA Senior Amateur Championship concludes the 2019 WSGA season at Craft Farms Golf Resort’s Creek Course Nov. 5-7. A full field of 112 players will be competing, with the winner claiming the Katherine Graham Senior Trophy.

TGA Executive Director Stacy Dennis and TGS Director of Women’s Operations Amy Worthington will oversee the day-to-day operations of the WSGA, including the administration of the association’s three championships. The partnership begins with the 2020 Women’s Southern Amateur and 2020 Women’s Mid-Amateur at The Falls Club of the Palm Beaches in Lake Worth, FL June 1-4.

The 2020 Women’s Southern Senior Amateur will be contested Oct. 27-29 at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, MS

“The TGA is thrilled to be involved with the WSGA,” Dennis said. “The WSGA and Texas share multiple past champions, current players and a deep commitment to impacting women’s golf. It is an honor and extremely natural fit to work together. We are excited to find new ways to collaborate to grow women’s golf and expand championship experiences for women in the South.”

“The primary objectives of the WSGA are to attract elite and full fields in all three of our championships and to be a tournament of choice among amateur women,” Meyer said. “Given the advances in the industry we feel we will be better served by having someone the caliber of the Texas Golf Association to help with our administration.”

Founded in 1910, the WSGA promotes the game of golf among women golfers in the southern states. Our association is governed by a Board of Directors, who conducts three championships and raises funds for college scholarships for graduating high school senior girls. The WSGA includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and District of Columbia.

 


2019 Amateur/Mid-Amateur Championships

An outstanding group of golfers from throughout the South will be competing in the championships, including defending Amateur Champion Calynne Rosholt of Texas and last year’s Mid-Amateur winner Susan West of Alabama. The events will be hosted at Lockwood Folly Country Club in Holden Beach, NC June 3-7.

Among those entered in the Amateur Championships are collegiate players from the University of Virginia, LSU, Alabama, Furman, Mercer, Texas A&M, Florida, UNC Wilmington, Oklahoma State and others. There are also several top-ranked juniors scheduled to compete.

In the Mid-Amateur event, defending champion Susan West will be faced with taking on some of the best Mid-Amateur and Senior talent from around the South. Looking to be a strong contender will be current Southern Mississippi Coach Lucy Nunn, a former WSGA Amateur Champion with a long list of credentials.

Reigning WSGA Senior Champion Anna Schultz of Texas will also be looking to add a Mid-Amateur title to her resume. Other former WSGA Senior champions in the field are Julie Harrison of Louisiana and Carolyn Creekmore, a longtime resident of Texas who has relocated to Florida.

Among the players who have won the coveted Southern Amateur are current LWGA major winners Lexi Thompson and Stacy Lewis. Collegiate standouts Mika Liu (Stanford), Alex Wright (Ohio State) and Sierra Brooks (Florida) are also recent winners of the title. Assistant editor at Golf Digest Hally Leadbetter is also a former Southern Champion.

“The picturesque Lockwood Folly golf course will be an awesome setting for our championships in June,” said WSGA President Janie Carpenter. “We are expecting a stellar group of competitors in each tournament, including some of the top collegiate and junior players in the South.”

Lockwood Folly features tree-lined fairways with massive oaks, stately pines and abundant wildlife. The course was designed by Willard Byrd and built in 1988 on a former hunting preserve.

The course features narrow holes with shot-making at a premium. Water hazards come in to play on 15 holes. The #18 signature hole is a par-5 slight dogleg with water coming into play twice. The ocean behind this green so most days you are playing it directly into the wind. The course is so close to the Atlantic Ocean golfers can hear the roar of the surf throughout their round.

Holden Beach is located on the Carolina coast midway between Myrtle Beach, SC and Wilmington, NC.  Both the Amateur and Mid -Amateur Championships will get underway with a qualifying round on Monday, June 3. Match play starts June 4 with the champions to be determined in the title matches Friday, June 7.


Amateur/Mid-Amateur at Lockwood Folly

The WSGA is pleased to announce that two-time WSGA Champion and 2018 winning Curtis Cup Captain Virginia Derby-Grimes will be the guest speaker at the Welcome Party the evening of the practice round.

The host  club for the event June 3-7 will be Lockwood Folly in Holden Beach, NC. Tournament organizers have made arrangements for players, guests and WSGA board members to be invited to the East Coast Shrimp-a-roo and Barbeque Dinner sponsored by the Town of Holden Beach on Tuesday, June 4.

This event will be held at the River Room and Terrace and kicks off with cocktails (cash bar) at 6:30. Dinner will follow and guests will be entertained by a live beach music band. Attire for the event will be casual.

“We would like to say a big thank you to WSGA Chairman Myrna Robinson and Local Club Chairman Gayle Todd for their efforts in getting our tournament players and officials invited as a part of this year’s event in Holden Beach. This party should be a great diversion for the players following their first day of match play,” said WSGA President Janie Carpenter.

Sunday night’s guest speaker Derby-Grimes won her WSGA titles in 1987 and 1996. She was also runner-up 4 times and has the distinction of losing in the finals to two former champions who went on to be LPGA major winners. These were Lexie Thompson, who defeated Derby-Grimes in 2009, and Stacy Lewis, who won the title in 2007.

In addition to being the winning Curtis Cup captain last June, Virginia competed for the USA on the Curtis Cup team in 1998, 2000 and 2006. She played her college golf at Auburn and went on to coach the golf team at her alma mater from 1991-1994. She was inducted into Auburn’s Tiger Trail, which honors outstanding athletes, coaches and administrators, in 2004.

Derby-Grimes won the USGA Mid-Amateur Championship in 1998 and was runner-up in 2004. She won medalist honors in the USGA Women’s Amateur Championship in 1995 and 1997. She was a member of Alabama’s winning team in the USGA Women’s State Team Championship in 1997.

Listing Derby-Grimes’ accomplishments at the state and local  level would be impossible but she has won 5 Alabama Amateur Championships and 3 Mississippi titles. She was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

The WSGA is honored to have Derby-Grimes as a part of their 104th Amateur Championship and 5th Mid- Amateur Championship. “I am so excited that Virginia has agreed to come speak to us at our Welcome Party,” said Host Chairman Robinson, who was instrumental in getting the former champion to come.

Lockwood Folly members and staff are working tirelessly to ensure that this year’s  championships  are among the best ever.