Big Step
by CHRIS LANG
The first Women ’ s Open of Virginia is set for a June debut
FORWARD
WOMEN ’ S GOLF IN VIRGINIA FEATURES A RICH HISTORY OF TOP PLAYERS — professional and amateur — making their mark on the national stage . It ’ s only natural that the time has come to meld both sets of players into one major championship for all women in the Commonwealth .
The Women ’ s Open of Virginia will make its debut in June at Independence Golf Club , making the Midlothian club the home to three Virginia State Opens . The State Open of Virginia will be played in July , with the Senior Open of Virginia occupying its usual September slot on the calendar .
The three-day , 54-hole stroke-play championship is scheduled for June 19-21 and will feature a minimum purse of $ 15,000 . Amateurs will be eligible to receive World Amateur Golf Ranking points in the event .
The Virginia State Golf Association Women ’ s Amateur Championship is nearing its 100th anniversary in 2025 , and that event will continue unabated this summer , as amateurs compete in one round of stroke-play qualifying to earn
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