Briefly: Dawn Woodard of Greer, SC, has been crowned the champion of the 39^th Women’s Southern Senior Amateur Championship after a stellar performance across three rounds at the Country Club of Salisbury. Woodard finished the tournament with a total score of 1-over-par 214, securing her win with a final round of even-par 71. Shawn McCullough of Pinehurst, NC, emerged as the champion of the Tournament Division with a final score of 12-over-par 225. Her overall score of 225 (76-71-78) solidified her win, and she now adds the Women’s Southern Senior Amateur Tournament Division title to her achievements

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Championship Leader: Dawn Woodard’s consistent play was the key to her success. She opened the tournament strong on Monday, shooting a 1-under-par 70. Her opening round included a flawless front nine, highlighted by a birdie at the 6th and a consistent back nine that set the tone for the week. On Tuesday, Woodard followed up with a 2-over-par 73, facing tougher conditions but managing to hold her position near the top of the leaderboard.

In Contention:  Kathy Hartwiger of Pinehurst, NC, remained a strong contender throughout the Women’s Southern Senior Amateur at the Country Club of Salisbury. After three rounds of competitive golf, Hartwiger finished with a total score of 219, positioning herself near the top of the leaderboard, just a few strokes away from the lead.

Hartwiger opened the tournament with a solid 1-under-par 70 on Monday, which included a strong finish on the back nine with a 36. She followed up with a challenging second round on Tuesday, carding a 6-over-par 77, leaving her just outside the lead but still in contention. In the final round on Wednesday, Hartwiger rebounded with a 1-over-par.

Tournament Leader: Shawn McCullough of Pinehurst, NC, claimed the title in the Tournament Division of the 39th Women’s Southern Senior Amateur after three challenging rounds at the Country Club of Salisbury. McCullough finished with a total score of 12-over-par 225, solidifying her position as the Tournament Division champion. McCullough opened the tournament with a 76 on Monday but quickly recovered in the second round, firing a remarkable 71 on Tuesday, the lowest round of her division. She had an impressive back nine featuring key birdies on the 11th and 17th holes.

In Wednesday’s final round, McCullough posted a 7-over-par 78, maintaining her lead despite the pressure of the final day. Her steady play on both the front and back nines (39-39) kept her ahead of the field, even as conditions grew more challenging.

In Contention: Rise Alexander of Hot Springs, Arkansas, put together a strong performance to finish as the runner-up in the Tournament Division at the 39th Women’s Southern Senior Amateur. Alexander posted a three-round total of 20-over-par 233, delivering a final round of 76 to secure her second-place finish at the Country Club of Salisbury.

Alexander’s tournament began with a steady round of 77 on Monday. Her front nine featured consistent play, with a highlight being her birdie on the 8th hole, which helped her finish the outward nine at 37. With rounds of 77, 80, and 76, Alexander’s ability to adapt to changing conditions and maintain steady play over three days showcased her competitiveness and skill. Though she fell short of the championship, her impressive final round cemented her as a key contender in the Tournament Division.

Golf Course: First time host to the Women’s Southern Senior Amateur Championship, The Country Club of Salisbury offers an 18-hole course designed by Donald Ross with a par 71. Located in Salisbury, N.C. A perfect complement to a fine golf course employs an experienced, dedicated golf staff overseen by PGA Certified Class A Professional, Chad Campbell.

Weather: Today in Salisbury, North Carolina, the weather is overcast with a high of around 79°F. The sky is mostly cloudy, and it feels slightly warmer, with a heat index of about 82°F. Winds are light, coming from the north-northwest at 4 mph, with gusts reaching up to 5 mph. The humidity is at a comfortable 62%, and visibility is clear at 10 miles.

Tournament Format: Entry to the WSGA Senior Championship is open to amateur golfers who have reached their 50^th birthday by October 16, have a USGA handicap index of no more than 23.5, and are members of the WSGA through a WSGA member golf club or a women’s golf organization located within the 15 Southern states and the District of Columbia. Scheduled for 54-holes of stroke play, the WSGA Senior Amateur will feature two sets of tees to separate the Championship and Tournament divisions. The Championship Division will play from 5,800 yards while the Tournament Division will play from 5,300 yards. After 36 holes, the players will be divided into flights.

Women’s Southern Golf Association: The first WSGA Senior Amateur was held in 1986 and won by Nita McMaster from Florida. Now in its 38th year, the event continues to attract some of the southern state’s most elite female amateur golfers. Southern states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Next Up: The 109th Women’s Southern Amateur Championship will take place at Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, Louisiana on June 2-5, 2025.

For more information on the Women’s Southern Senior Amateur, click here.