USGA puts an Alaska championship on the books for 2022
The U.S. Golf Association has been growing its “states visited” list since for more than 100 years. The organization conducts 14 championships annually, and takes them to all corners of the United States.
The bingo card will be full in 2022, when the USGA visits Alaska for the first time to host the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.
Upon completion of that event at Anchorage Golf Course, the USGA will have hosted a championship in all 50 states, in addition to the District of Columbia. Both of those locations join the list of places that have only hosted a single USGA championship (a list that also includes Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah and Vermont).
“It’s a monumental occasion for us to bring a championship to Alaska, something that has been a long time coming,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “Players from all over the country dream of becoming USGA champions, so it is important we bring our events to all corners of the United States to expose golfers and golf fans to the inspiration and competitiveness of our championships. We’re so thankful to Anchorage Golf Course for working with us to make this dream a reality.”
Anchorage Golf Course delivers the views you might expect in scenic Alaska. It’s a public golf course designed by Bill Newcomb that sits on a hillside overlooking the city of Anchorage. The fairways are rolling and tree-lined, and the views of surrounding mountain ranges – including Denali, the highest peak in North America – are stunning.
Anchorage Golf Club is No. 1 on the list of Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play, state by state.
“We’re thrilled and honored to be a part of this historic moment and become the first golf course in Alaska to host a USGA championship,” said Rich Sayers, general manager. “To showcase to the world what sort of golf we have here in Alaska, and demonstrate both the challenge and beauty of our golf course on such a grand stage, is something we cannot wait for. The championship can’t come soon enough.”
The U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur is open to any female golfer 50 years of age or older whose Handicap Index does not exceed 14.4. The field will consist of 132 players.
Lara Tennant of Portland, Oregon, has won the past two U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championships, defeating Australian Sue Wooster both times to do it. The championship was canceled in 2021 because of the pandemic.
Creds: Julie Williams - GolfWeek
