THE COURSE: The Homestead’s Old Course is one of the oldest courses in the nation, designed by Donald Ross and opened in 1892. Ross turned the course’s original six holes into 18 holes, which opened in 1913.  In 1994, golf course architect Rees Jones supervised the Old Course renovations, which included new bunkers and tees, as well as a relocation of the 18th hole. 

FORMAT: The 53rd VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship consists of match play that follows an 18-hole qualifying round on Monday, July 26. Thirty-two (32) low qualifiers from the Old Course are placed in the championship flight and seeded based on their qualifying score.

Following stroke play qualifying, the first round of match play will take place on Tuesday, July 27, followed by the second round of match play and the start of consolation matches on Wednesday, July 28. The quarterfinal and semifinal matches are scheduled for Thursday, July 29 before the scheduled 18-hole final and awards presentation on Friday, July 30.   

ADMISSION: Admission to the 53rd VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship is open to the public and FREE of charge.

WWW.VSGA.ORG: Log on to the VSGA Internet site (www.vsga.org) for the latest results and recap from the 2010 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.

GROUPINGS AND STARTING TIMES: Groupings and starting times are listed below and will be posted on the VSGA’s Web site at www.vsga.org.

THE REWARD: The 2010 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur champion will receive the President’s Cup. The stroke play medalist’s name will be engraved on the Belle Allen Trophy. All flight winners and finalists, including consolation flights, will be awarded prizes. There will be prizes for the senior-senior medalist (age 60-and-over), most senior medalist (age 70-and-over), low net of the field and a team prize for the lowest combined qualifying scores of any two players from the same club. Anyone having a hole-in-one during competition will also receive a prize. 

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Richmond’s Boodie McGurn posted a 2 and 1 victory over Linda DiVall (Alexandria) to claim last year’s scheduled 18-hole championship final at The Homestead’s Old Course.

A Country Club of Virginia member, McGurn picked up her second title in the event, having also triumphed in 2004 at The Homestead’s Old Course. McGurn was the stroke play equivalent of three under par in the deciding match that she never trailed.

WHO CAN PLAY: The championship is open to female golfers who will be at least 50 years of age by July 26, 2010. Participants must have a VSGA/USGA Handicap Index of 40.0 or less established at a VSGA Member Club and meet the USGA Rules of Amateur Status.  

ANOTHER STRONG FIELD: The field consists of 116 competitors and six different winners dating back to 1996.

Recent VSGA Senior Women’s Am champions in the field include defending champion and ’04 victor Boodie McGurn of Richmond (pictured right) and Linda DiVall (Alexandria), the winner in 2003 and 2007. Other past champions include ’06 winner Mimi Hoffman (Springfield), ’05 champion Shelley Savage (Alexandria), ’01 champion Dot Bolling (Salem) well as record five-time winner Peggy Woodard of Virginia Beach (1996-98, 2000 and 2002). 

Other top returning players include each of last year’s eight quarterfinalists and semifinalists from ’09: McGurn (champion), DiVall (finalist), semifinalists Fran Hensley (Ridgeway) and Cindy Morris (Portsmouth) as well as quarterfinalists Maggie Balch (Maidens), Sara Cole (Salem), Mimi Hoffman (Springfield) and Peggy Woodard (Virginia Beach)

CHAMPIONS IN THE FIELD: The VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur championship features several VSGA past champions, including the following golfers (hometown in parentheses):

·          Dot Bolling – 1999, 2000 and 2002 VSGA Senior Women’s Stroke Play champion (record three-time winner of the event); 2001 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur champion; 2000 VSGA Women’s Amateur champion; 1998 VSGA Women’s Stroke Play champion.

·          Joan Darden (Glen Allen) – 1989 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur champion.

·          Linda DiVall (Alexandria) – 2009 VSGA Senior Women’s Stroke Play champion. 2003 and 2007 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur champion.

·          Fran Hensley (Ridgeway) – 2010 and 2001 VSGA Senior Women’s Stroke Play champion; 1999 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur champion.

·          Mimi Hoffman (Springfield) – 2006 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur champion; 1999 VSGA Women’s Amateur champion.

·          Boodie McGurn (Richmond) – 2009 and 2003 VSGA Women’s Amateur champion; 2004 and 2009 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur champion.

·          Cindy Morris (Portsmouth) – 2005 VSGA Women’s Amateur champion; 2002 Virginias Women’s Stroke Play champion.

·          Shelley Savage (Alexandria) – 2005 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur champion; 2005, 2006 and 2008 VSGA Senior Women’s Stroke Play champion.

·          Peggy Woodard (Virginia Beach) – 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2002 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur champion.

Also in the field is two-time reigning Richmond Women’s Golf Association Amateur champion Lindsay Wortham of Richmond. Other competitors to watch, among others, include former VSGA Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship runner-up Arline Hoffman (Alexandria) and ’04 VSGA Senior Women’s Am runner-up Valeta Pittman (Roanoke).

CALLING THE HOMESTEAD HOME: Since the championship began 1958, one of the trio of courses at The Homestead has hosted 50 of the past 52 VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championships, with the only exception being in 2003 at Ford’s Colony Country Club and in 2001 when the championship was held at Danville Golf Club.

All five of Woodard’s titles have come at The Homestead.

HENSLEY WINS THE VSGA SENIOR WOMEN’S STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP: Ridgeway's Fran Hensley calmly converted a two-putt par from 25 feet on the first extra hole, the par-5 18th to win the VSGA Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship at Waynesboro Country Club in early-June. Hensley, a semifinalist at last year’s Senior Women’s Amateur, is in the field this year.

At the Senior Women’s Stroke, Hensley posted a final round 6-over-par 79 and outlasted Portsmouth Cindy Morris (76) and Alexandria’s Shelley Savage (79) after all three competitors finished at 8-over 154. Three others – Sherry Bowman of Manassas, Richmond’s Boodie McGurn and Salem’s Sara Cole – each closed with 75 and finished a stroke off the pace.

MULTIPLE WINNERS: The VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship dates back to 1958, when Roanoke’s Mrs. John McCorkindale captured the championship. Fourteen golfers have won the title more than once:

·          Major Lucille Busch – 1964 and 1965

·          Mrs. G.W. Calvert – 1966 and 1969

·          Linda DiVall – 2003 and 2007

·          Mrs. Charles Egenroad – 1960, 1961 and 1963

·          Mrs. John H. Griffin – 1976 and 1977

·          Mary Jane King – 1985 and 1986

·          Boodie McGurn – 2003 and 2009

·          Mrs. J.R. Najjum – 1978, 1980, 1982, 1994 and 1995

·          Mrs. Donald O’Brien  – 1970, 1971, 1975 and 1979

·          Mrs. Kay Schiefelbein – 1991, 1992 and 1993

·          Mrs. Herbert L. Smith III (Martha Smith) – 1973, 1981 and 1984

·          Mrs. James Swink – 1962 and 1967

·          Dr. Ruth Ann Verell – 1987 and 1990

·          Peggy Woodard – 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2002

RECORD-SETTER: Peggy Woodard (Virginia Beach) owns a record-tying five VSGA Women’s Senior Am title after capturing top honors from 1996-98 before adding two more titles in 2000 and 2002. 

In 2000, she became the only player to claim the championship four times in five years. The only other five-time winner is Roanoke’s Mrs. J.R. (Audrey) Najjum (1978, 1980, 1982, 1994 and 1995). Mrs. Donald O’Brien of Richmond was victorious on four occasions, in 1970, 1971, 1975 and 1979.

PAR AND YARDAGES: Old Course –– 5,014 yards, par 36-36—72; Holes one through nine: No. 1, 414-yard par 5; No. 2, 127-yard par 3; No. 3, 400-yard par 5; No. 4, 404-yard par 5; No. 5, 137 yard par 3; No. 6, 314-yard par 4; No. 7, 313-yard par 4; No. 8, 310-yard, par 4; No. 9, 131-yard, par 3. Outward nine: 2,550 yards, par 36.

Holes 10 through 18:  No. 10, 329-yard par 4; No. 11, 154-yard par 3; No. 12, 411-yard par 5; No. 13, 432-yard par 5; No. 14, 215-yard par 4; No. 15, 365-yard par 5; No. 16, 139-yard par 3; No. 17, 290-yard par 4; No. 18, 129-yard par 3.  Inward nine: 2,464 yards, par 36.

DIRECTIONS: From Richmond, take I-64 West to exit 87. Take I-81 North for about one-fourth of a mile to Route 250 (exit 222). Take Route 250 West to Route 254 (both routes will be in Staunton). Take Route 254 West to Route 42 and take Route 42 South to Route 39. From there, take Route 39 West to U.S. 220 South to Hot Springs. Proceed for five miles on U.S. 220 South to the resort and clubhouse on the left.

VSGA MEDIA CONTACT: For more information, contact Andrew Blair, director of communications at the VSGA by phone at (804) 378-2300, ext. 12.

HOT SPRINGS – Groupings and starting times for the first round of stroke play qualifying at the 53rd Virginia State Golf Association Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at The Homestead’s Old Course (5,014 yards, par 36-36—72) on Monday, July 26.

ALL TIMES EDT

July 26 (Monday), Hole No. 1

7:30 a.m. – Margaret Cheek (Galax); Linda Lumsden (South Boston); Julie Light (Roanoke); Betty Milligan (Glen Allen)

7:40 a.m. – Juanita Petrone (Dublin); Kailynn Sprinkle (Salem); Wanda Blackwell (Floyd); Alice Hill (Galax)

7:50 a.m. – Leila Wilson (Salem); Marcie Moreau (Williamsburg); Wanda Flora (Roanoke); Sarah Robertson (Wintergreen)

8 a.m. – Isabelle Bunch (Irvington); Marilyn Bussey (Roanoke); Mary Shields (Mattaponi); Linda Mason (Amherst)

8:10 a.m. – Martha Davidson (Richmond); Judy Knight (Salem); Beverly Kee (Manakin - Sabot); Carol Brenner (Fincastle)

8:20 a.m. – Kit Davis (Salem); Gail Schenck (Richmond); Susan Krancer (Williamsburg); Deborah McCune (McLean)

8:30 a.m. – Pam Harris (Richmond); Diana Nunley (Pulaski); Betsy Conboy (Williamsburg); Anne Gordon Greever (Richmond)

8:40 a.m. – Joan Darden (Glen Allen); Ellen McGowan (Wicomico); Cindy Salyer (Floyd); Chris Swink (Richmond)

8:50 a.m. – Mary Parsley (Richmond); Janet Cochrane (Cloverdale); Evelyn Evans (Williamsburg); Marianne Owens (Richmond)

9 a.m. – Nancy Williams (Richmond); Nancy Duncan (Alexandria); Becky Bondurant (Buchanan); Shirley Lowman (Radford)

9:10 a.m. – Margaret McGehee (Richmond); Valeta Pittman (Roanoke); Sara Cole (Salem); Margaret McMillen (Williamsburg)

9:20 a.m. – Dot Bolling (Salem); Pam Cummings (Virginia Beach); Peggy Crowley (Richmond); Ann Mennell (Yorktown)

9:30 a.m. – Shawn McCullough (Alexandria); Arline Hoffman (Alexandria); Jackie Baxter (Virginia Beach); Maggie Balch (Maidens)

9:40 a.m. – Linda DiVall (Alexandria); Lindsay Wortham (Richmond); Peggy Woodard (Virginia Beach); Fran Hensley (Ridgeway)

9:50 a.m. – Boodie McGurn (Richmond); Cindy Morris (Portsmouth); Mimi Hoffman (Springfield); Shelley Savage (Alexandria)

10:10 a.m. – Trish Golding (Hillsville); Pam Chaney (Manassas); Helen Ferneyhough (Monroe); Joan Sova (Hampton)

10:20 a.m. – Pat Cecka (Springfield); Marie Anderson (Lorton); Sherri Sledd (Manakin-Sabot); Kay Rakes (Narrows)

10:30 a.m. – Pat Moore (Williamsburg); Patsy Chaffin (Dublin); Clare Kelly (Alexandria); Audrey Watson (Staunton)

10:40 a.m. – Christine Hale (Narrows); Carolann Lineweaver (Radford); Pam Freeburn (Stafford); Linda Johnson (Roanoke)

10:50 a.m. – Anne Jennings (Roanoke); DeeDee Overstreet (Dublin); Fran Wray (Staunton); Barbara Fleming (Virginia Beach)

11 a.m. – Marlea Moriarty (Dumfries); Joan Stauss (Christiansburg); Sally Bruce (Roanoke); Dee May (Williamsburg)

11:10 a.m. – Marianne Bedard (Williamsburg); Helen Burke (Annandale); Judy Foster (Danville); Susan Troubetzkoy (Weems)

11:20 a.m. – Vickie Hauser (Alexandria); Linda Dickerson (Dublin); Jackie Butler (Galax); Mary Slaughter (Charlottesville)

11:30 a.m. – Linda Simpson (Penhook); Cindy Duggar (Roanoke); Neysa Simmers (Fishersville); Gail Frey (Williamsburg)

11:40 a.m. – Charlotte Marshall (Rustburg); Ellen Hartman (Blacksburg); Nancy Bentley (Richmond); Patricia Fowler (Williamsburg)

11:50 a.m. – Danielle Wise (Roanoke); Shirley Thorne (Woodbridge); Judy Wilson (Midlothian); Kathy Faykes (Williamsburg)

12 p.m. – Dale Gallentine (Montclair); Stephanie Heller (Williamsburg); Faith Kauders (Burgess); Brenda Harmon (Woodlawn)

12:10 p.m. – Margaret Hundelt (Burke); Dawn Weeks (Floyd); Kaye Vickerman (Williamsburg); Kay Merryman (Woodbridge)