Useless Bay Golf And Country Club To Host Statewide Tournament

The state’s finest female golfers are coming to Whidbey Island on July 27-31, as Useless Bay Golf and Country Club hosts the Washington State Women’s Golf Association (WSWGA) championship. Players representing 34 private golf clubs will compete in the week-long event for the chance to be named the best in the state. The final 18 hole championship round begins approximately at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 31.

Useless Bay has never had the honor of hosting this prestigious event, although local club member Penny Knowles has won the WSWGA senior women’s championship two consecutive years in 1997 and 1998. Useless Bay will host the senior championship tournament in 2019. The WSWGA women’s state championship is not yet scheduled to return to Whidbey Island.

“We’re really honored to have this opportunity to showcase our beautiful Island and our challenging golf course,” said Diane Anderson, tournament chairperson. “We hope folks will join the gallery to cheer on these great female athletes and give a good impression for Whidbey Island. Golf played at this caliber is a popular spectator sport because it is fun to watch.”

Local Whidbey Island golfers competing this year include Ako Shimozato, Mary Johnson, Roberta Pollard, Diane Anderson, Kay Stockholm, Margie Murphy, Robin Sumrall, Jan Tepper, Cindy Merritt, Penny Knowles, Sue Davenny, Anne Taft, Dee Dee Kosa and Judi Rising.

Leslie Folsom of Rainier is one player to watch this year as she’s won four of the last six statewide tournaments. Ann Swanson of Sandpoint is also a player of note having won the tournament nine times, and a runner up nine times, and has recently been inducted into the PNGA’s Hall of Fame. Former LPGA player Jane Harris of Rainier is also a key player in the line-up, as is Anne Carr, last year’s runner-up.

The qualification rounds begin Monday, July 27. Those 16 players who score the lowest gross scores will comprise the Championship Flight. The other qualifying players are then put into flights based on their handicaps and all of the players then face double elimination throughout the week. Friday, July 31st, the two finalists in every flight will play an 18-hole championship match, and the 2 finalist in the Championship Flight will play a gruesome 36 hole match. The public is invited to watch the golfers play all week long, but in order to gain access to the club house, a guest pass is required. To arrange for a guest pass contact Bill Davis, Useless Bay Golf and Country Club general manager at (360) 661-5167 or (360) 321-9559.