The USGA today announced Brooklawn Country Club, in Fairfield, Conn., as the host site of the 3rd U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship. The championship is scheduled for July 6-12, 2020.
“To have Brooklawn Country Club host our newest championship is truly special for the USGA family and will continue to build the strong momentum we have created for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA senior managing director, championships. “The support we have received from the golf community surrounding the U.S. Senior Women’s Open has been extraordinary. We are excited to celebrate the unique camaraderie and competition of this championship as we bring it to Connecticut.”
The 2020 U.S. Senior Women’s Open will be the third USGA Open championship and fifth overall USGA championship hosted by Brooklawn Country Club. The club, founded in 1895, hosted the 1974 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, won by David Nevatt; the 1979 U.S. Women’s Open, won by Jerilyn Britz; the 1987 U.S. Senior Open, won by Gary Player; and the 2003 U.S. Girls’ Junior, which was won by 16-year-old Sukjin-Lee Wuesthoff. “Brooklawn Country Club is obviously a very special place for me, as it is the home of my major victory title,” said Britz. “After playing in the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open last year, I know how special this championship has become in its short history. Blending this championship with this golf course is an absolute joy for me, and I can’t wait to see how the championship unfolds!”
The 18-hole layout the club is known for today was designed in 1930 by A.W. Tillinghast, one of the game’s premier golf course architects, who redesigned and expanded the original nine-hole layout. Over the years, and under the guidance of Ron Forse who specializes in Tillinghast restorations, the club has made updates to maintain the integrity of what Tillinghast built.
“Brooklawn is thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with the USGA,” said Rick Ryan, general chair of the 3rd U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship. “We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our club’s 125th anniversary than hosting this significant USGA championship.”
The most recent of the 13 previous USGA championships to be contested in Connecticut is the 2008 U.S. Girls’ Junior at Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, when Lexi Thompson became the second-youngest champion at age 13.
The U.S. Senior Women’s Open is open to professional females, and amateur females with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 7.4, who have reached their 50th birthday as of the first day of the championship. The field will include 120 players, who will earn entry into the championship via sectional qualifying at sites nationwide or through an exemption category.
The format will continue to be a walking-only, 72-hole stroke play competition over four consecutive days with a 36-hole cut to the top 50 players, including ties. Laura Davies won the inaugural playing of the championship in July 2018 at Chicago Golf Club. The 2019 championship is set for May 16-19 at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.
