ARCHITECT: Biltmore Forest was designed by Donald Ross and opened in 1922. Brian Silva oversaw extensive renovations in 1994 to restore the course to the original Ross design.WHO CAN ENTER: The championship is open to amateur female golfers who have reached their 25th birthday on or before Oct. 5, 2012, and who hold a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 9.4.
ENTRIES: The USGA accepted 405 entries for the 2012 championship. The record of 533 was set in 2000. Entries close for the 2013 championship on Aug. 7
SECTIONAL QUALIFYING: Sectional qualifying, played over 18 holes, will be conducted between Aug. 26 and Sept. 9. The number of qualifying sites has yet to be determined. (Note: Qualifying dates are subject to change)
2012 CHAMPION: Meghan Stasi, 34, of Oakland Park, Fla., joined Ellen Port as the only four-time champions of the Women’s Mid-Amateur with a 6-and-5 victory over Liz Waynick, 52, of Scottsdale, Ariz., at the 2012 Women’s Mid-Amateur conducted at Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San AntoniO.Stasi, who also claimed the title in 2006, 2007 and 2010, became the 16th golfer to win the same USGA championship at least four times.
For more information, http://www.usga.org/ChampEventArticle.aspx?id=21474850947.
EXEMPT PLAYERS: A full list of exempt players will be available at the close of entries.
SCHEDULE: Practice rounds will be held Oct. 3-4. The starting field of 132 players will play two rounds of stroke play, with the low 64 scorers advancing to match play. The schedule is as follows:
Oct. 5 (Saturday) – First round of stroke play
Oct. 6 (Sunday) – Second round of stroke play
Oct. 7 (Monday) – First round of match play
Oct. 8 (Tuesday) – Second and third rounds of match play
Oct. 9 (Wednesday) – Quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of match play
Oct. 10 (Thursday) – 18-hole championship final
WHAT THE WINNER RECEIVES: The champion will receive a gold medal and custody of the Mildred Prunaret Trophy for the ensuing year. She will receive a 10-year exemption from qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, as well as exemptions from qualifying for the next two U.S. Women’s Amateurs, U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links and USGA Senior Women’s Amateurs, if otherwise eligible.
THE USGA AT BILTMORE FOREST COUNTRY CLUB: The 2013 Women’s Mid-Amateur will be the second USGA championship conducted at Biltmore Forest. The club previously hosted the 1999 U.S. Women’s Amateur, won by Dorothy Delasin.
NORTH CAROLINA AND THE USGA: The 2013 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur will be the 29th USGA championship conducted in North Carolina, and the second national championship in the Tar Heel State in 2013. The USGA Senior Amateur will be held Sept. 21-26 at Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers.
The first championship was the 1947 U.S. Women’s Open at Starmount Forest Country Club in Greensboro, won by Betty Jameson. However, the 1947 Women’s Open was conducted under the auspices of the Women’s Professional Golfers Association, and the USGA did not assume control of the championship until 1953. In 1955, the USGA conducted the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Myers Park Country Club in Charlotte, with Patricia A. Lesser taking the victory.
The USGA conducted three championships in the state in 2010. Charlotte Country Club was the host of the U.S. Women’s Amateur won by Danielle Kang. The Country Club of Pinehurst hosted Doris Chen’s victory at the U.S. Girls’ Junior, and Lion Kim won the U.S. Amateur Public Links conducted at Bryan Park Golf and Conference Center in Greensboro.
In 2014, the USGA will conduct the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst Resort in consecutive weeks.
ADMISSION: Admission to the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur is free and spectators are encouraged to attend.
HISTORY: The U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship originated in 1987 as a result of a need determined by an ad hoc committee headed by Dena Nowotny, a member of the USGA Women’s Committee.
The Women’s Mid-Amateur, the USGA’s 13th championship, was created to provide a national competitive arena for amateurs age 25 and older.
For information about the history of the championship, visit http://www.usga.org/ChampEventContent.aspx?id=2147494029
PHOTO MEDIA SERVICE: The USGA will offer daily complimentary high-resolution photographs during the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur (Saturday-Thursday) for news use only. For more information and to register, contact the USGA Photo Archives at photorequests@usga.org.
MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Christina Lance of USGA Championship Communications at clance@usga.org, 908-234-2300 (office) or 908-635-0413 (cell).