Warwick CC To Host 119th State Amateur Championship
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Golf Association is excited to announce the 119th State Amateur Championship will be held July 8-13 at Warwick Country Club, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary.
This exquisite, 18-hole Donald Ross course along Narragansett Bay will serve as a perfect backdrop for the State Amateur Championship.
“It’s been a longstanding tradition for the RIGA to host major tournaments during special anniversaries for our member clubs,” said RIGA Executive Director Bob Ward. “It’s going to be a special week at Warwick Country Club. We would like to thank the club’s executive board, its members and staff for hosting this historic event during its Centennial celebration.”
Reining State Amateur champion Bobby Leopold will attempt to defend his title and become a five-time winner of the tournament. Leopold defeated Harry Dessel, 9&8, last July at Montaup Country Club, which also celebrated its Centennial. Leopold is only the sixth person to win the State Amateur at least four times. Daniel Fairchild recorded six State Championships between 1907 and 1921. Robert W. Allen won five times between 1949 and 1960, while Cameron P. Quinn won it in 1956, 1962, 1966, 1967 and 1971.
“The State Am is the highlight of the season in Rhode Island,” Leopold said. “Every time you play you want to stamp your name on that trophy. In the back of your mind, you always say to yourself, ‘Everyone always remembers that state am winner.’ Warwick (Country Club) will be a fine host and the champion will have to hit it great all week.”
RIGA president Dr. Michael Gooding is a 65-year member of Warwick Country Club. The club was established in 1924 when a group of 50 prominent Rhode Islanders purchased the estate and mansion of Colonel George L. Shepley. Ross designed nine holes and the course opened in 1925. In 1954, noted golf course architect Geoffrey Cornish constructed the second nine holes. WCC is steeped in tradition and that will continue when it hosts the State Amateur Championship in July.
Registration opens at 10 a.m. Thursday at rigalinks.org