Old Waverly, home of MSU's golf programs, to host U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship
Old Waverly Golf Club, home to the Mississippi State men’s and women’s golf programs and one of the South’s premier golf destinations, will host the 119th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship for its first appearance in the Magnolia State.
Admission is free, and no tickets are required for the Aug. 5-11 event, the third United States Golf Association championship held at the revered club in West Point and the fourth USGA championship played in Mississippi.
MSU President Mark E. Keenum said, “What a marvelous honor for the entire Golden Triangle region and the State of Mississippi to host the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at the prestigious Old Waverly Golf Club. Because of MSU’s strong connection to Old Waverly, we think of it as ‘our’ course, and we are delighted to support this important sporting event in every way. Our MSU Golf programs for women and men have long benefited from our affiliation with Old Waverly and the Bryan family.”
Old Waverly was founded on the site of the historic Waverly Mansion. The club resulted from the vision of the George and Marcia Bryan family, who sought to create a world-class destination for golf and hospitality in the heart of the Mississippi Black Prairie.
U.S. Open winner Jerry Pate and well-known course designer Bob Cupp were recruited to develop the golf course from 360 acres of pasture in Clay County. The course opened in 1988 to rave reviews and has been listed in various “Best Of” rankings, including recognition as the top residential golf course in Mississippi.
“Old Waverly is a course that will certainly test the finest of golfers, and I’m excited for a national television audience to have a chance to see this Mississippi treasure,” Keenum said.
A starting field of approximately 156 players will compete in the championship, which is open to female amateur golfers with a Handicap Index not exceeding 5.4.
“The USGA is proud to bring one of our three oldest championships to Old Waverly in 2019,” said Stuart Francis, USGA Championship Committee chairman. “The U.S. Women’s Amateur attracts the world’s best female amateur players, and we are confident Old Waverly will provide a fair and comprehensive test that identifies a champion worthy of hoisting the historic Robert Cox Trophy.”
MSU alumnus George Bryan said Old Waverly is honored to host the 119th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in West Point.
“We have a strong history of supporting competitive amateur golf, and we look forward to welcoming the best female amateurs in the game to our course and to the state of Mississippi,” he said.
The U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship will receive live network coverage on FS1 and live streaming coverage on the USGA website. For details, visit www.usga.org.
Learn more about MSU’s men’s and women’s golf programs at www.hailstate.com; Old Waverly Golf Club at www.oldwaverly.com.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
Sasha Steinberg | Public Affairs
