SCGA, WSCGA Create Women​’s Southern California Amateur Championship

October 13, 2014

Oct. 13, 2014 - The Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) and the Women’s Southern California Golf Association (WSCGA) today announced the creation of the Women’s Southern California Amateur Championship, which will be held July 27-28, 2015. This event will be jointly run by the two largest amateur golf associations in Southern California. The inaugural championship will be contested at The Los Angeles Country Club.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring a true women’s championship to the amateur golf scene of Southern Calfiornia,” said Kevin Heaney, SCGA executive director. “Along with the WSCGA, we strive to provide equal opportunities for female golfers in the Southland, and we are excited to provide some of the top talent in the area the chance to compete for what will be a prestigious title.”

“The Los Angeles Country Club is a charter member of the WSCGA and for many years hosted The Midwinter Championship, an annual event that began in 1924 and attracted renowned women amateurs from across the country,” said Pat Blalock, executive director for the WSCGA. “United States Amateur champions such as Marion Hollins, Glenna Colett Vare and Virginia Van Wie participated in the prestigious championship. Babe Diedrickson Zaharias won the Midwinter title in 1943. The storied tournament was last held at the Los Angeles Country Club in 1995. It is fitting that the LACC North Course host the inaugural Southern California Women’s event, which will challenge the top Southern California amateur players in a stroke play championship.”

The Los Angeles CC is one of the area’s most historic facilities. The club has hosted the SCGA Amateur Championship 23 times, most recently in 1961, as well as the 2013 Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championship. It is also the scheduled site for the 2017 Walker Cup. Its famed North Course hosted the first Los Angeles Open in 1926 and four subsequent in 1934-36 and 1940. In 1930, Ms. Glenna Collett beat Ms. Virginia Van Wie 6&5 to win the National Women’s Amateur held at The Los Angeles Country Club, the first time that championship was contested on the West Coast. “We are honored to host the inaugural Woman’s Southern California Amateur Championship on our historic North Course,” said Club President Dick Shortz.
The SCGA and WSCGA are already in talks with other distinguished facilities to host future women’s championships.

The Women’s Amateur will be a 54-hole stroke play championship, with 72 players playing 36 holes on Day 1 and the low 30 scores plus ties advancing to the final round on Day 2. The event is open to Southern California female amateur golfers with a USGA Handicap Index of 9.4 or below. Two qualifiers will take place at sites to be announced. Exemptions have been granted to several prominent local female champions.

About the SCGA

The Southern California Golf Association is devoted to providing all Southland golfers with the best experience possible. Its primary goal is to enhance the enjoyment of the game for those who actively live the golf lifestyle or have just learned to swing a club. Advocating on behalf of our community of passionate golfers, the SCGA provides accessible and affordable opportunities for anyone looking to be involved with the game. Whether crowning champions at amateur tournaments or providing a Handicap Index to track a golfer’s progress, the SCGA is committed to providing exceptional service to its members. Learn more at scga.org.

About the WSCGA

The Women's Southern California Golf Association is the largest women's golf association in the United States as well as one of the oldest regional golf associations. Established in 1922, the WSCGA was formed to promote and foster interest in women's amateur golf through organized competition. In addition to offering tournaments and team competition to its members, it also serves its members by providing and maintaining its handicap system and course rating in accordance with the USGA guidelines. Learn more at womensgolf.org/wscga.

Media contact:

Julia Pine, Southern California Golf Association, [email protected], 818.980.3630 x321



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