BHC Member USGA Look Back

BHC Members Look Back on USGA Event Play

Excitement is building as we draw closer to hosting the prestigious U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, September 23-30 at Berkeley Hall. Some of our BHC members know well this level of play and the thrill of participating in a USGA event: Carol Dulude, Maggie Leef and Karen Ferree. Here we share some of their experiences, views on women’s golf and what it means to bring this level of play to Berkeley Hall Club.

Q. Tell us about the first USGA event you qualified for, and what it meant for you.

I played in my first USGA qualifier at Newport Country Club in RI. I didn’t think I was likely to qualify, so I was relaxed and enjoying the experience. When the rounds were completed, I could hardly believe I tied two other players for the last qualifying spot, then won the three-way playoff. It is not an exaggeration to say I was flying high. Driving up to the course and seeing the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur signs, I was in awe to be among the 132 women that qualified. Seeing my name on the USGA scoreboard was one of the highlights of my life.

Q. Most memorable moment at a USGA event you’ve played?

My second USGA event, the Sr. Women’s Amateur at Wellesley Country Club in MA offered a great spectator view. On the last day of stroke play competition my approach shot landed just left of the green in the rough, on a side hill lie. I hit my chip shot to six inches and the crowd started clapping. It was so much fun.

Q. As the USGA Championship comes to Berkeley Hall, what are you most excited about?

To see our club filled with impressive women golfers, and how they approach holes here I find challenging. I am proud of our courses, facilities and our professional staff and how much care they take to ensure everybody feels entitled to the best possible golf experience. I know the players will leave with a love of Berkeley Hall.

Q. What do you envision the legacy of this event being for women’s golf in the Lowcountry?

As players move from games with friends to organized club events to tournaments at a county and state level, then national championships, every step has its joys and rewards but playing in a USGA national event is unmatched in my experience.

Q. Top thoughts on status of women’s golf today?

I’m excited there are more opportunities for younger girls to play, casually and competitively. The LPGA has become more global and competitive. Women’s golf has never been better positioned than it is today.

Q. Tell us about the first USGA event you qualified for and what it meant for you.

My first USGA event was the 1999 State Team Championship at Golden Horseshoe in VA. It quite literally changed my life! Wisconsin was paired with Pennsylvania and Alabama. I stood on the first tee chatting casually with Carol Semple Thompson and Virginia Derby Grimes, two world-renowned career amateurs. The event was my introduction to the camaraderie and fun of competing in USGA Championships. I came away from that event with a desire to practice and develop my game to provide opportunities to play in more championships. Since that first event I’ve played in over 25 USGA Championships.

Q. Most memorable moment at a USGA event you’ve played?

Being introduced on the first tee of the Inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Chicago Golf Club by Nancy Lopez.

Q. As the USGA Championship comes to Berkeley Hall, what are you most excited about?

Watching the women play the North Course set up for a USGA Championship. I believe watching elite women players play our golf course will help members with their golf games and course management. Members will be amazed!

Q. What do you envision the legacy of this event for women’s golf in the Lowcountry and at Berkeley Hall?

We purchased our Lifestyle Cottage as a result of playing a practice round for the 2005 USGA State Team Championship. We have the opportunity to showcase not just our club, but all the charms of life in the Lowcountry, particularly at Berkeley Hall.

Q. Top thoughts on status of women’s golf today?

Both amateur and professional women’s golf are growing and expanding at an incredible rate. I am thankful to see the USGA, LPGA, First Tee and other women’s golf organizations taking the lead in sharing the stories of the positive impact of golf in communities and in personal lives of players at all levels. Golf provides so many opportunities for personal development and fun. It’s great to see a wider variety of women and girls engaging in golf.

Q. Tell us about the first USGA event that you qualified for, and what it meant for you.

I started playing in USGA events as a junior golfer and at the time there were no qualifiers, but one was chosen according to the lowest handicaps. The first qualifier I can recall was the USGA Women’s Open at Salem Country Club in Peabody, MA. which was won by Hollis Stacy. The first USGA Mid-Am I qualified for was conducted at the Essex Country Club in Massachusetts, where Donald Ross had lived and designed the course. The WSCGA selected their USGA State Team contestants through a point system and I was a member of the first seven of South Carolina’s teams.

Q. Most memorable moment at a USGA event you’ve played?

I was most proud of qualifying for the 2003 USGA Mid-Am conducted at Long Cove Club at the age of 53, made match play and was so proud to have our son, Randy, caddy for me. I did lose the match 1 down to Carol Semple Thompson whose amateur record is second to none. Carol is also a class act, one who demonstrates unmatched sportsmanship. My best finish in a USGA Senior Women’s Amateur was 2001 at Allegheny Country Club. I actually played my match as the Twin Towers were being attacked. A day none of us will ever forget. I lost my semifinal match, and that tournament was won by Carol Semple Thompson.

Q. Describe the impact of USGA Championship play:

USGA events are the best. It was always an honor to qualify for a national championship and prepare for the challenging 36-hole qualifier for match play.

Q. As the USGA Championship comes to Berkeley Hall, what are you most excited about?

Congratulations to the Berkeley Hall membership for contesting the USGA State Team Championship and this year as host to the 2021 Women’s Mid-Am Championship. It is an honor we can all be proud of, for our Club and for women’s golf. Ferree was inducted in the South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame in 2014.