Distinguished Western Women’s Golf Association Amateur event comes to River Forest CC
When top amateur golfers from around the world gather to compete in the upcoming 117th annual Women’s Western National Amateur Golf Championship, Elmhurst’s own Maddie Hurt will be in the line-up. An Elmhurst resident and recent graduate of Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep, Hurt will be playing in her largest-ever national event.
“I’m really looking forward to competing in such a prestigious event,” Hurt said, “and it’s even more special because I get to play in front of a hometown crowd.”
This year’s Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) amateur tournament will be held June 12-17 at River Forest Country Club (RFCC). The world-class golf course will present challenge to the 142 amateur players.
Hurt is familiar with the course, having played there several times during her stand-out high school golf career that included a Class A girls golf championship.
“I’m blessed to have some knowledge of the course,” she said.
RFCC’s biggest event since Player vs Palmer in 1961
The staff and members at RFCC are preparing the course and arranging logistics to support the tournament week. This is the biggest event held at River Forest since 1961, when the club hosted the televised “All-Star Golf Match” between golf legends Gary Player and Arnold Palmer.
“We are honored to host the 2017 Women’s Western Amateur, an event with a history and tradition that rivals any in golf,” said club president and Elmhurst resident Dave Carlquist. “Our course will provide a stern test for this field of elite amateur players, and we look forward to an exciting week of competition.
“It is a privilege to welcome outstanding players from around the United States and internationally. And it is truly a thrill to have Elmhurst’s own Maddie Hurt in the field.”
More about the tournament
The Women’s Western Amateur is recognized as one of the top women’s amateur events. Conducted by the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA), the championship was first played in 1901, and it is the oldest annually-played championship in golf. Past champions include LPGA greats Stacy Lewis, 2016 player of the year Ariya Jutanagarn, 2016 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Brittany Lang and Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez.
Maddie Hurt, who will play collegiate golf and major in business at Northern Illinois University in the fall, knows of the great tradition of golfers who have played in the WWGA amateur tournament in previous years. “I’m hoping I can perform to the best of my ability, and try to win or place really high,” she shared, anticipating a week of strong competition.
