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U.S. Women's Open To Return to Southern Pines in 2007

Far Hills, N.J. -The U.S. Women’s Open will return to Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C., in 2007, it was announced by the Women’s Committee of the United States Golf Association.

“We’re simply delighted that the Women’s Open is coming to Pine Needles for the third time,” said Cora Jane Blanchard, chairman of the Women’s Committee.

Pine Needles, site of this week’s Women’s Open, also hosted the 1996 Women’s Open, which was won by Annika Sorenstam. The course was also the site of the 1989 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, won by Brandie Burton, and the 1991 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, won by Phyllis Preuss.

The course was also the site of the 1928 Women’s Mid-South Open Championship, the first women’s open championship in the United States, according to The New York Times. Pine Needles also hosted the 1972 Titleholders championship, one of the early major championships on the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour.

An original design of legendary golf course architect Donald Ross, Pine Needles opened in 1928. It was purchased in 1953 by a group of investors headed by famed golf professional Peggy Kirk Bell and her husband, Warren E. (Bullet) Bell and is today owned by the Bell family. Mrs. Bell was one of the early members of the Ladies Professional Golf Association and in 1990 won the USGA’s Bob Jones Award for distinguished sportsmanship.

The 2002 U.S. Women’s Open will be conducted at Prairie Dunes C.C. in Hutchinson, Kan., July 4-7. In 2003, Lake Merced G.C. in Daly City, Calif., will host the championship. The 2004 Women’s Open will be conducted at Pumpkin Ridge G.C., in North Plains, Ore. The 2005 Women’s Open will be hosted by Cherry Hills C.C., in Englewood, Colo., and the 2008 championship will be conducted at Interlachen C.C., in Edina, Minn.

The U.S. Women’s Open is one of 13 national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs. For more information about USGA championships, please call (908) 234-2300 or visit www.usga.org