Tuesday, Jun. 23, 2009

Old Warson will be venue for women's championship

Tournament to be held Aug. 3-9

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis area is once again set to host the best golfers in the world -- this time of the amateur variety.

A total of 156 of the top amateur players will converge on famed Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis on Aug. 3-9 for the 2009 United States Women's Amateur Championship.

One of the United States Golf Association's premier events, the championship dates back to 1896 and former winners include Babe Zaharias, Grace Park, Laura Baugh, Beth Daniel, JoAnne Carner, Juli Inkster, Kelli Kuehne and Morgan Pressel. The 1992 final featured a heralded young Vicki Goetze, who beat Annika Sorenstam in the final.

Sorenstam went on to become one of the great players on the LPGA Tour.

One year ago, three-time NCAA Player of the Year, Amanda Blumenherst, defeated Azahara Munoz 2-and-1 in the final held at Eugene, (Ore.) Country Club.

Soon after winning the title, Blumenherst turned professional and is now on the LPGA Tour.

In early August, a new champion will be crowned at one of the top courses in the St. Louis area.

"We're hoping the golf fans of St. Louis come out and watch some of the top amateur players compete on a very good golf course," championship coordinator Kristen Kriegshauser said.

Admission to the tournament is free and open to the public.

Qualifying for the 2009 Women's U.S. Amateur Championship will soon take place at sites throughout the nation with the top 156 qualifying for the finals.

The entire field will play 36 holes of qualifying on Aug. 3-4 with the field then being cut to the low 64 which begin match play on Aug. 5.

Match play will then continue with the final two players competing in a 36-hole final on Aug. 9.

Kriegshauser added that volunteers for the tournament are needed for all positions including marshall, standard bearer, walking scorer and forecaddie.

Volunteers are required to purchase and wear event uniforms, which cost $30. Assignments consist of five-hour shifts during the championship. Training will be provided in July.

To register, visit https://register.usga.org/wam/index.html, click the register button, then type in event code: oldwarson, then complete the online form.

Persons can also contact Kriegshauser at 314-576-3700 for additional information.