Woodland Country Club in Carmel, Indiana, will host the 93rd Women’s Western Junior Championship in 2019, the Women’s Western Golf Association and Western Golf Association announced today.
The event will be played June 16-20, 2019, marking the second time that Woodland Country Club has hosted a WWGA championship. The club also hosted the 1969 Women’s Western Junior, won by Mary Jane Fassinger.
The Women’s Western Junior features an outstanding field, and many competitors go on to become top amateur and college players. In 2019, for the first time, the WGA will conduct the event in partnership with the WWGA.
“Woodland Country Club is a great partner of the Western Golf Association, and we’re elated to have it as our host for the Women’s Western Junior,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA senior vice president of tournaments. “This championship will attract the best junior golfers in the country, and the course layout will provide an excellent championship atmosphere.”
Woodland Country Club was designed by renowned golf course architect Bill Diddel and opened in 1956. In 2002, legendary golf course architect Pete Dye unveiled his re-creation of Diddel’s original layout. Today, Woodland offers a design that will challenge players of all skill levels.
“We are thrilled to host the Women’s Western Junior Championship,” said Patrick White, head professional at Woodland Country Club. “The membership is excited about the caliber of golfers the Championship attracts and the prestige of hosting an event with such rich history.”
The Women’s Western Junior field will be comprised of top-ranked amateurs who are 18 years old or younger and carry a handicap index of 14.4 or lower. The tournament will begin with 36 holes of stroke play to establish 16 match play qualifiers. Stroke play will be held on June 17 and 18, with the first round of match play set for June 19.
“Woodland is a perfect setting for one of the nation’s most prestigious women’s junior tournaments,” said Jackie Wacker, tournament chairman. “This storied event features the best junior golfers in the world testing their skills in a format that is sure to produce a great champion.”
Janice Kim of Edina, Minnesota, won the 2018 Women’s Western Junior at Cincinnati Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio. Other notable past champions include Cristie Kerr (1994), Grace Park (1993) and Nancy Lopez (1972-74).
