Far Hills, N.J. - The United States Golf Association
has announced that Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, North Plains, Ore., will
host the 2003 U.S. Women’s Open.
Pumpkin Ridge, originally scheduled to host the
Championship in 2004, agreed to move its commitment up a year because
the USGA decided to change the 2003 championship from its previously
announced site of Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, Calif.
"As early planning discussions progressed between
Lake Merced officials and the USGA, it became apparent that logistics
associated with construction of the club's infrastructure posed a conflict
with the 2003 Women's Open. Both the club and the USGA are disappointed
that we will not be able to bring the Women's Open to Lake Merced at
this time," said Trey Holland, president of the USGA. "But we believe
that Pumpkin Ridge's successful track record with the USGA championships,
including the Women's Open, will benefit the championship greatly."
Pumpkin Ridge, a Bob Cupp design that opened in
1992, was the site of the 1997 U.S. Women’s Open, where record crowds
of nearly 110,000 watched Alison Nicholas win the championship by one
stroke over Nancy Lopez. The club also hosted the 2000 U.S. Junior Amateur
and U.S. Girls’ Junior Championships simultaneously, and was the site
of the record-setting third straight U.S. Amateur championship for Tiger
Woods in 1996.
The U.S. Women’s Open is one of 13 national championships
conducted by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.
Prior to returning to Pumpkin Ridge, the 2002 U.S.
Women’s Open will be conducted at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson,
Kan., July 4-7.
Questions can be directed to Marty Parkes, senior
director of communications, at (908) 234-2300.
