Chicago’s premier public facility hosts the 118th version of one of women’s most prestigious amateur tournaments
Romeoville, IL – Mistwood Golf Club, one of the Chicago area’s top golf facilities, will host the 118th Women’s Western Golf Association’s (WWGA) National Amateur Championship June 25-30th.
The WWGA event, one of the oldest and most prestigious women’s amateur championships, has built a storied history through annually providing competition for 120 of the top-ranked amateur women from around the world.
Many of golf’s greatest are past champions including Nancy Lopez, Patty Berg, Joanne Carner, Beth Daniel, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr, Louise Suggs, Kathy Whitworth, Mickey Wright, Babe Zaharias, Patricia Lesser, Brittany Lang, and Stacy Lewis.
“The Mistwood staff is eagerly anticipating the 118th Women’s Western Amateur,” Tournament Chairman Cece Durbin, WWGA’s first vice-president, said. “The club has hosted numerous professional and amateur tournaments including 19 Illinois Women’s Opens. The scenic course, which winds around two large quarry ponds, will provide a challenge to every player. The WWGA is excited to be at one of the best courses in the Chicago area.”
For the past two decades Mistwood has been home to the top women’s championship in Illinois – the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open. Mistwood Golf Club’s owner, Jim McWethy, has been very passionate in his mission to bring high-level golf events to his facility, and has always been an advocate of women’s golf.
An award-winning renovation in recent years was accomplished because McWethy wanted to create a destination experience for golfers from Chicago and throughout the Midwest. He is pleased that the world’s top amateur women will see it this summer.
“Everything we have done with Mistwood in recent years has been in preparation to host prestigious events like the Women’s Western Golf Association’s National Amateur Championship,” he said. “We are very excited to be working with the WWGA hosting the top women amateurs from around the World and believe all of the players will be impressed with the facilities.”
The WWGA Amateur Championship is open to amateur female golfers with a USGA Handicap Index not to exceed 7.4. The format is match play following a 36-hole stroke play qualifier to determine the Championship Flight of 32.
About Mistwood Golf Club
Mistwood Golf Club, which opened in 1998, is one of the most-talked-about Chicago area golf destinations. It features 18-holes designed by award-winning architect Raymond Hearn, a top golf performance center and a spectacular clubhouse facility. Following an acclaimed multi-million-dollar course renovation by Hearn, which was recognized as the top renovation of the year by GOLF Magazine in 2014, Mistwood has become one of the most popular venues in Chicago.
The course is wrapped around a beautiful 65-acre lake and features 19 Scottish-style sod wall bunkers bringing a feeling of Scotland to the Midwest. In addition to the award-winning course renovation, there is a new Scottish-style 26,000 square-foot clubhouse and a 5,000 square-foot Performance Center that offers custom fitting, club repair services and instruction.
The centerpiece of the new Scottish village-style clubhouse is McWethy’s Tavern, which is made up of a Scottish pub, two dining areas, two outdoor patios and space for private events. Its menu features steaks, chops, sandwiches and other items done with Scottish flair. The building also includes a banquet facility for up to 250 people, pro shop and locker rooms. Mistwood is a unique facility. It can accommodate a golfer’s dream experience for playing and improving, as well as a bride’s dream wedding with amazing food and atmosphere. Visit www.mistwoodgc.com.
About the WWGA
The WWGA was founded in 1901 under the sponsorship of the Western Golf Association and is one of the oldest women’s golf organizations in the United States; it is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Directors from across the United States volunteer their time and talent to managing the Association and conducting two annual tournaments, the Amateur Championship, held without interruption since 1901, and the Junior Championships first held in 1920 at Beverly Country Club in Chicago.
In 1971 the Women’s Western Golf Foundation was established by the Women’s Western Golf Association to award college scholarships to worthy high school girl graduates with high academic records, financial need, exemplary moral character and an involvement in the sport of golf. The Foundation also supports underfunded college golf programs for women; since its inception total grants exceed $4.1 million to over 690 students in 45 states.
Its primary source of contributions comes from golf clubs and groups participating in the Annual Foundation Scholarship Day, WWGA Directors and Trustees, golf associations, and corporate and individual friends of golf. Visit www.wwga.org.
