The state of Alaska is finally getting a USGA championship. Anchorage Golf Course has been chosen to host the 60th U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship July 30-Aug. 4, 2022. It will mark the first time the USGA has taken one of its championships to the 49th state. Upon completion, the USGA will have hosted a championship in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.
“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, located on a hillside overlooking the city of Anchorage, is a municipal golf course designed by architect Bill Newcomb. The 6,600-yard layout features rolling, tree-lined fairways that lead to well bunkered, undulating greens. The course offers views of three mountain ranges, including the tallest peak in North America, Denali (previously named Mount McKinley).
“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.”
Alaska will join six other states, as well as the District of Columbia, in hosting one USGA championship. Alaska has hosted U.S. Open qualifying every year since 2009 as well as numerous U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur qualifiers.
“Golf at this latitude requires real dedication and commitment to sport, and I know that our scenery, our course and our hospitality will make this championship especially memorable,” said Mayor of Anchorage Ethan Berkowitz. “We are the biggest city in the biggest state and the prestige of hosting this event does us proud.”
The U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship 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 who will earn entry into the championship via sectional qualifying at sites nationwide or through an exemption category.
The format for the championship includes two rounds of stroke play followed by six rounds of match play, with the low 64 scorers in stroke play qualifying for match play. The 2019 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur was a matchup of the same two finalists as 2018, and it was won by Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore., who defeated Sue Wooster, 3 and 2, for the second time. While the 2020 championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 championship is set for Sept. 10-15 at The Lakewood Club in Point Clear, Ala.
For more information on our non-profit, please visit the Anchorage Golf Legacy website.
