Golf, Ill. (June 7, 2019) – Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort, Illinois, will host the 2020 Women’s Western Amateur and the 2022 Women’s Western Junior, the Women’s Western Golf Association and Western Golf Association announced today.
The 2020 Women’s Western Amateur is set to be played July 20-25. This will be the first time Prestwick Country Club has hosted the prestigious amateur championship.
The 2022 Women’s Western Junior, to be played June 20-24, will mark the 50th anniversary of the championship being held at Prestwick C.C. In 1972, Nancy Lopez won at Prestwick C.C. for her first of three consecutive Women’s Western Junior titles. She followed with victories in 1973 at Lake Geneva Country Club and 1974 at Sand Point Country Club.
“The Women’s Western Golf Association has a long history dating back to the early beginnings of competitive golf for women and a tradition that rivals any in golf. We look forward to the 120th Amateur Championship and 96th Junior Championship to be held at Prestwick County Club,” said Susan Wagner, National Media Director of the WWGA and past president. “Not only will players enjoy Prestwick’s golf course but also the countless attractions that the Chicagoland area has to offer.”
Both the Women’s Western Amateur and the Women’s Western Junior feature outstanding fields of promising golfers, with many competitors going on to become top collegiate and professional players. Beginning this year, the events are being conducted in partnership by the WWGA the WGA.
“We’re excited to be joining with the WWGA in bringing these two championships to a club of Prestwick’s stature,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA Senior Vice President of Tournaments. “We’re looking forward to working with the WWGA this year and beyond to promote women’s golf through the Women’s Western Junior and Women’s Western Amateur.”
Prestwick Country Club opened in 1964 and embodies a Larry Packard course design. Contestants will be challenged by the large, fast greens and strategically placed fairway bunkers that will provide a tough test for all competitors.
“Prestwick Country Club is proud to host both the Women’s Western Amateur in 2020 and Women’s Western Amateur Junior in 2022. The Prestwick members, staff and the Board of Directors are excited for this opportunity to extend our golf course and facilities to these wonderful tournaments and players,” said Todd Mistina, President of Prestwick CC. “We cannot wait to see the future of women’s golf at our doorstep, and we’re honored to be a part of their futures.”
The Women’s Western Amateur field will consist of 120 amateurs with a handicap of 5.4 or less. Held without interruption since its founding, the event is one of the oldest annual championships in women’s amateur golf. The first and second day will each consist of 18 holes stroke-play. After the second day, the field will be reduced to the top 32 players for the match play portion of the championship.
The 2019 Women’s Western Amateur will be held July 15-20 at Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove, Illinois. Past champions include current stars and legends of the LPGA TOUR, including Ariya Jutanugarn (2012), Stacy Lewis (2006), Brittany Lang (2003), Grace Park (1998), Cristie Kerr (1995), and Nancy Lopez (1976).
The 2019 Women’s Western Junior will be held June 16-20 at Woodland Country Club in Carmel, Indiana. Notable past champions include Cristie Kerr (1994), Grace Park (1993) and Nancy Lopez (1972-74).
The junior field will be comprised of amateurs who are 18 years old or younger and carry a handicap index of 14.4 or lower. The tournament will open with 36 holes of stroke play to establish 16 qualifiers for match play.
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 nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization established under guidelines set by the Internal Revenue Service. Each year, the WWGA hosts the Women’s Western Junior and Amateur Championships.
About the Western Golf Association
The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Golf, Illinois, was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. The WGA conducts six national golf championships and supports the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. To learn more about the organization and upcoming championship events, visit www.wgaesf.org.
