By Fred Altvater
The first ever U.S. Senior Women’s Open was held last month at historic Chicago Golf Club. Dame Laura Davies completely dominated the field of 120 women, over the age of 50, that also included 29 amateur golfers.
This was a notable event in the world of golf. Women are one of the fastest growing segments in the game and recognizing senior women in their own national tournament is a significant step in bringing more women to the game.
Laura Davies gives Nancy Lopez a hug on the first tee at Chicago Golf Club.
In addition to Davies impressive win, 79-year-old Joanne Carner shot her age and made the cut. Juli Inkster, who still has plenty of game and competes regularly with the young women on the LPGA Tour, finished runner-up, but was a full 10 strokes behind the winner.
The inaugural U.S. Women’s Open was also included a trio of women from Ohio.
Tammie Green-Parker, from Somerset, played her collegiate golf at Marshall. She competed on the LPGA Tour and Future’s Tour 1987-2004 and was named LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1987. She collected her first title at the 1989 du Maurier Ltd. Classic, a major championship at the time. Her career included seven wins and 59 top-10’s, amassing over $4 million in career earnings.
She gave Chicago golf fans a glimpse of her ability firing the lowest score in the final round, a six-under-par 67 that moved her up the leaderboard to finish tied for 8th.
Rosie Jones, originally from California, attended Ohio State University and won All-America honors in 1981. She joined the LPGA Tour in 1982, winning 24 professional events and earning over $8 million, before retiring in 2006.
She finished runner-up in four of the five women’s major championships and was known for her determination and competitive flare. She captained the 2011 Solheim Cup team in a losing effort at Killeen Castle.
Although retired, she qualified for the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open, but missed the cut.
Jones posted four rounds of 77-73-71-76 to also finish tied for 8th place at Chicago Golf Club in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
Cheryl Fox, is the Director of Golf at Fostoria Country Club and spends time in Florida in the winter months.
Earlier this summer, she won the Ohio Women’s Open at Eagle Rock Golf Club in Defiance.
Fox fired one of the lowest rounds during the first round on Thursday a solid 74, but could not follow it up and posted an 86 on Friday to miss the cut by two strokes.
All of the women, who qualified and competed in the inaugural U.S. Women’s Open at Chicago Golf Club, should be commended for their efforts. They took part in an important event in the history of golf.
Ohio Golf Journal especially wants to congratulate these fine lady golfers from Ohio.
