The opportunity to host a USGA National Championship is a most prestigious event for any golf facility. This year, the following four golf facilities in the Southeast will host USGA Championships:
- The U.S. Women’s Amateur (Aug. 5-11) at The Country Club of Charleston in Charleston, S.C.
- The USGA Senior Amateur (Sept. 21-26) at Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers, N.C.
- The U.S. Mid-Amateur (Oct. 5-10) at The Country Club of Birmingham in Birmingham, Ala.
- The U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur (Oct. 5-10) at Biltmore Forest Country Club in Asheville, N.C.
These golf facilities will showcase not only their golf course as a test for a national championship, but also provide the opportunity for their membership to volunteer in serving as the host site for the best amateur golfers in the world. It is an experience that will long be remembered in club history.
The first USGA Championship this year in the Southeast Region just concluded at the Country Club of Charleston with the U.S. Women’s Amateur. This classic Seth Raynor designed golf course was set up to championship conditions and the best women’s amateur player in the world was identified as Emma Talley, a student at the University of Alabama. This is a dream come true and it earned her an exemption into the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst Course No. 2.
Who will win the upcoming national championships? This question will be answered over the next six to seven weeks. Spectators are welcome at all of these upcoming championships (admission is free) and live scoring is available on the Internet. Additional information for each championship can be found using the links provided earlier in this update.
Golf course superintendents who will be working with USGA officials at these national championships include Bill Samuels at Biltmore Forest Country Club, Lee McLemore at the Country Club of Birmingham, and Tom Bailey at Wade Hampton Golf Club. Mr. Paul Corder at the Country Club of Charleston has already completed the first USGA championship in the Southeast Region this summer. These superintendents and their staffs will be focusing on providing the ultimate in playing quality at these championships.
Source: Patrick O’Brien (patobrien@usga.org) and Chris Hartwiger (chartwiger@usga.org)
Information on the USGA’s Turf Advisory Service
Contact the Green Section Staff