2003 U.S. WOMEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
FACT SHEET

October 11-16, 2003
Long Cove Club
Hilton Head, S.C.

PAR AND YARDAGE – The course is set at 6,029 yards and par is 36-35—71.

GOLF COURSE HISTORY – The course was designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1980. Long Cove was also host to the 1991 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, won by Jim Stuart of Macon, Ga. Stuart defeated Bert Atkinson of Charleston, S.C., 1 up.

A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP – The U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship began in 1987 and became the 13th national golf championship conducted by the United States Golf Association. It was originated to provide a national competitive arena for women amateur golfers age 25 and older.

ADMISSION IS FREE – The USGA and the membership of Long Cove Club invite the general public to attend the 2003 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship free of charge. All ages are welcome.

WWW.USGA.ORG – Log on to the USGA Internet site at www.usga.org for the latest and most complete U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship information.

WHO CAN PLAY? – The U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur is open to female amateur golfers who will have reached their 25th birthday on or before October 11, 2003, and who have a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 9.4. Entries closed August 6.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS – All four of last year's semifinalist are exempt into the field. They are Kathy Hartwiger of Birmingham, Ala., Lyn Nelson of Half Moon Bay, Calif., Ellen Port of St. Louis, Mo., and Lisa Desimone of Carmel, Calif.

PAST WOMEN'S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONS – There are seven past U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur champions in the field, including defending champion Kathy Hartwiger of Birmingham, Ala. The others are Virginia Derby-Grimes (1998) of Montgomery, Ala.; Martha Lang (1988) of Mandeville, La.; Marion Maney-McInerney (1992) of Dedham, Mass.; Ellen Port (1995, 1996 and 2000) of St. Louis, Mo.; Carol Semple Thompson (1990 and 1997) of Sewickley, Pa.; and Alissa (Herron) Super (1999) of Minneapolis, Minn.

RECENT CURTIS CUP PLAYER – Carol Semple Thompson, 54, of Sewickley, Pa., played for the USA in the 2000 and 2002 Curtis Cup Matches. The Curtis Cup Match is a biennial team competition with one team from the USA and another from Great Britain and Ireland. Her selection to the team in 2002 was her 12th team selection, and she capped it by sinking the putt that secured the team's 11-7 win.

LOCAL QUALIFIERS – Karen Ferree of Hilton Head, S.C., and Stacy Easley of Bluffton, S.C., were local residents who qualified for spots in the 2003 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur. Ferree, a member at Long Cove Club, shot 76 in qualifying at The Landings Club in Savannah, Ga., on Aug. 25. Easley was the medalist in the same qualifier, shooting 74. Ferree's best finish in a USGA championship was reaching the semifinals of the 2001 Senior Women's Amateur. Easley is playing in her first USGA championship.

SOUTH CAROLINA QUALIFIERS – In addition to Ferree and Easley, there are two other South Carolina residents who qualified in Atlanta. They are Lea Bagwell-Venable of Greenville, S.C., and Cecillia Barksdale of Columbia, S.C.

LONG WAY FROM HOME – Desiree Ting of Wailuku, Hawaii, will travel more than 3,000 miles to play in this U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship. She shot 75 and earned the only spot in the qualifier at Mid-Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii on Sept. 9.

THE PRIZE – The women will compete for the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship trophy. A sterling Revere bowl, it was presented in 1987 by Mrs. Henri Prunaret, chairman of the USGA Women's Committee from 1959 through 1963. The champion retains custody of the trophy for the ensuing year.

GROUPINGS AND STARTING TIMES – Groupings and starting times will be distributed to the media four days prior to the start of the Championship. Check the USGA web site for up-to-date details.

HOLE BY HOLE – 6,029 yards, par 35-36—71;

Hole

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Out

Par

4

3

5

4

4

5

4

3

4

36

Yards

358

145

505

359

295

515

397

157

330

3,061

Hole

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

In

Par

4

4

4

3

4

5

4

3

4

35

Yards

356

336

370

120

365

494

388

171

368

2,968

TOTAL ENTRIES – The USGA accepted 532 entries for this year's U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur. The largest number of entries received was 533 in 2000. Qualifying for the championship took place from Sept. 1-9 at 25 sites throughout the country.

2002 IN REVIEW – Kathy Hartwiger of Birmingham, Ala., won four consecutive holes with 1-putt greens and hung on to beat three-time champion Ellen Port of St. Louis, Mo., in the final of the 2002 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club.

Hartwiger was 1 down after seven holes, but took the next four holes with two birdies and two pars to stand 3 up after the 11th hole.

SCHEDULE OF PLAY – The starting field of 132 golfers will play two rounds of stroke play before the field is trimmed to the top 64 scorers, who will advance to match play.

  • October 11 (Saturday) – first day of stroke play.
  • October 12 (Sunday) – second day of stroke play, after which the field will be cut to the low 64 players who will advance to match play.
  • October 13 (Monday) – first round of match play.
  • October 14 (Tuesday) – second and third rounds of match play.
  • October 15 (Wednesday) – quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of match play.
  • October 16 (Thursday) – Championship match (18 holes).

FUTURE SITE – The 2004 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship will be held at Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville, Tenn., from Sept. 10-15.

USGA MEDIA CONTACT – The USGA Media Contact is Craig Smith. Prior to the championship, he can be reached in the USGA Golf House at (908) 234-2300 Ext. 1040. For the championship week, the media center phone number is (843) 686-5849.