Quail Creek GC (Blue Golf photo)
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Oct. 2, 2018) - Quail Creek Country Club, in Naples, Fla., has been selected as the host site for the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship. It will be the third time in the tournament’s six-year history that it has been played in Florida. The event will take place April 25-29.
Quail Creek will also make its USGA debut in hosting the Women’s Four-Ball, even though the course was originally slotted to host the 2017 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. That event had to be relocated last fall when the impact of Hurricane Irma caused extensive flooding and damage to Quail Creek’s course and clubhouse.
Earlier this summer, Quail Creek hosted the Florida Women’s Open.
“Since relocating the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, returning to Quail Creek has been a priority for the USGA,” said Rachel Sadowski, championship director. “We’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with the club, as well as the vibrant golf community in Naples, and know they will be a terrific host.”
Designed in 1981 by Arthur Hills, who also renovated Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club (host of several USGA events including the 2025 U.S. Open), Quail Creek features two 18-hole courses named Quail and Creek. The course for the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball will be announced at a later date.
Both courses were renovated in 2013 by Kevin F. Leo, Quail Creek’s director of golf courses and grounds, with Hills serving as a consultant. Renovations included an increase in playable native areas that has reduced the amount of water, fertilizer and maintenance required; the restoration of bermudagrass throughout the course; and the addition and restoration of bunkers.
“Relocating in 2017 had to be one of the toughest decisions we’ve had to make as a club,” said Quail Creek’s General Manager Don Hunter. “But we’re ecstatic to be able to welcome the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball just a few short years later and can’t wait to finally be able to show what an exceptional championship golf experience awaits competitors here at Quail Creek.”
The club rebounded quickly after the damage left by Hurricane Irma, with both courses fully operational just two and a half months later. Cleanup and renovation from the damage included the removal of more than 4,000 downed or damaged trees, as well as the complete rebuilding of all bunkers.
Information from the USGA used in this report
ABOUT THE U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball
The U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball, the
newest USGA championship, was played for
the first time in 2015 at Bandon Dunes Golf
Resort in Bandon, Oregon. It immediately became
one
of the USGA's most popular tournaments. The event,
which
has
no age restriction, is open to those women
with
a Handicap Index of 14.4 or lower. It is one
of
14 national championships conducted annually
by
the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for
amateurs.
View Complete Tournament Information