 FROM THE NEWSROOM
Old Waverly Golf Club awarded 2006 U.S. Women's Mid-AmateurFrom Staff Reports JACKSON, Miss. (Aug. 11, 2003) -- The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism today announces that Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point has been selected to host the 2006 Women's Mid-Amateur by the United States Golf Association. The championship will be held from Oct. 14-19. This is the latest distinction for this much-heralded club in Northeastern Mississippi, which was designed by Bob Cupp and former U.S. Open Champion Jerry Pate. Old Waverly opened in 1988 and hosted the 1999 U.S. Women's Open won by Juli Inkster. For more information about Old Waverly, visit oldwaverly.net, call (662) 494-8780 (Golf Shop) or (662) 495-5485 (Lodging). The club also has hosted many top regional golf championships, beginning with the men's Southeastern Conference Championship in 1990 and the women's SEC Championship in 1992. In 2001, the Mississippi Amateur Championship was played at Old Waverly, as well as the 2003 Southern Golf Association Junior Championship. "Old Waverly is an outstanding venue and will be a superb host for this prestigious event," says Steve Hale, the MDA's Executive Director. "We invite visitors to enjoy the competition at Old Waverly and complement their visit by trying some of Mississippi's top-rated golf courses. Visitors should sample Mississippi's other one-of-a-kind attractions, including our Southern hospitality, new casinos, world-famous music, delicious cuisine, and our heritage, history and architecture." Built on gently rolling terrain, Old Waverly features two beautiful lakes that come into play on a number of holes. The club's many amenities include fine dining, a swimming pool, fitness center, meeting rooms, lush gardens, a Lavendar Rose Garden, lighted tennis courts, myriad member programs, and shuttle service to and from the airport. This is the latest distinction for Mississippi golf. The Golf Insider -- the industry's top golf-rating newsletter -- annually ranks "The Year in Golf Travel" and Mississippi was honored for its high performance, quality offerings, rapidly increasing number of attractions, and value it offered golf travelers in 2002.
"There are 140 golf courses by the likes of Nicklaus, Palmer, Love, Cupp, Fazio, and Irwin, with standouts like Fazio's 36-hole Dancing Rabbit and Nicklaus' Grand Bear. Twelve more are opening soon. The golf, lodging and food tend to be excellent values, and beaches and casinos add to the fun. We 're not the only ones who think so: The International Association of Golf Tour Operators, folks like Perry Golf and Wide World of Golf, just nominated the state as 'Emerging Golf Destination of the Year,' and that's for the whole world." A free Golf Mississippi Travel Guide and more information are available by calling (866) 801-8551 or visiting visitmississippi.org. About the U.S. Women's Mid-AmateurThe youngest of the USGA's 13 annual national championships, the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur was started in 1987 for women age 25 and older. Sarah LeBrun Ingram of Nashville, Tenn., and Ellen Port of St. Louis, Mo., are three-time champions. Celebrated amateur Carol Semple Thompson of Sewickley, Pa., won the Women's Mid-Amateur in 1990 and 1997. Kathy Hartwiger of Birmingham, Ala., won the title in 2002. Prior to 2006, the Women's Mid-Amateur will be held at Long Cove Club in Hilton Head, S.C., from Oct. 6-11, 2003; at Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville, Tenn., from Oct. 2-7, 2004. The site for 2005 has not been announced. Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans. |
The Golf Insider stated the following about Mississippi in justifying its selection of the state as the "Best Up-and-Coming Domestic Golf Destination of the Year."
