News
Postponed U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur now set to be played at Houston's Champions Golf Club in November
Copyright USGA
The 2017 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur has a new date and a new host course, the USGA announced on Tuesday. With Hurricane Irma causing extensive flooding and damage to Quail Creek Country Club in Naples, Fla., forcing a postponement of the championship that was originally to be held there Oct. 7-12, USGA officials are moving the event to the Cypress Creek course at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Nov. 11-16.
“We are extremely grateful to Champions Golf Club for stepping forward to assist during the unprecedented and unfortunate displacement of the 31st U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship from Quail Creek Country Club,” said Rachel Sadowski, U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship director, in a press release. “As we work to deliver an exemplary championship for all in Houston, our thoughts remain with Quail Creek and all of those working to rebuild and recover from this year’s storms.”
Champions Golf Club was also impacted by a massive storm in the last few weeks, with Hurricane Harvey dumping more than 30 inches of rain in late August and early September. Fortunately, the course has been able to return to normal conditions, according to Robin Burke, the 2016 U.S. Curtis Cup captain and Champions G.C. VP, allowing the club to step in under these unusual circumstances.
“We feel it is our duty to give back to the golf community and an honor to welcome those who have been adversely affected by another hurricane to our home,” Burke said. “We wish our friends in Florida a speefy and successful recovery.”
Twice previously Mother Nature has forced the USGA to change the location of a championship, but never has the weather event happened so close to the actual competition dates. In 1993, the USGA announced that it was swapping the site for the 1995 U.S. Amateur Public Links (Hawaii’s Wailua G.C.) with the 1996 location (Massachusetts’ Stow Acres C.C.) after Hurricane Iniki hit the Hawaiian islands. Also in 1993, the USGA changed the venue for the 1994 U.S. APL when the original host course, Northgate G.C. in Reno, Nev., had to withdraw dues to a severe drought in the area. The 1994 event was moved to Eagle Bend Golf Course in Bigfork, Mont.
Champions previously hosted the 1998 U.S. Women’s Mid-Am, won by Virginia Derby grimes. It is also schedule to host the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open