Making it count

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robby Hedrick
  • 75 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Hill Air Force Base hosted the 102nd Utah State Women's Amateur golf tournament at Hubbard Golf Course, July 21-23. 

The tournament, which has been absent from Hill AFB since 1969, boasted approximately 130 of the best amateur women's golfers in the state of Utah. 

The tournament began in 1900 at the Salt Lake Country Club with 15 competitors and has continued to grow with an increasing number of competitors every year. 

The venue, which rotates among the many golf courses here in Utah, approached Tony Angelico, general manager of Hubbard Golf Course, about returning to Hill AFB. 

"We have a great course here, and this allows the community to experience it," said Mr. Angelico. 

Mr. Angelico said he jumped at the chance to host the tournament and along with the Utah Women's Golf Association began planning for this year's event. 

"It's exciting to host an event of this magnitude," said Mr. Angelico. "This is the most prestigious women's golf event in Utah." 

The tournament includes players of all ages competing against one another for the right to say they are the best in the state. 

Women of all ages have entered this year's event for a chance to lay claim to the title. They range from high school athletes to women as old as 70. Mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers are teeing it up against one another. 

All of the players had to meet the minimum requirements before entering the tournament including membership of the Utah State Women's Golf Association, a primary residence in Utah or be a member of the Utah Junior Golf Association and have a handicap in the UGA system. 

"Spectators can expect to see some great golf from women of all ages," said Susan Simkins, president of the Utah State Women's Golf Association. "It's a challenging and exciting tournament on a great venue." 

Every competitor is at least 15 years of age or older or have a handicap of 36 or less.
Women of all ages have entered this year's event for a chance to lay claim to the title. They range from high school athletes to women as old as 70. 

This is also the first year the high school girls were allowed to compete against one another. The previous years they had to compete against the boy's teams. 

"The tournament is the oldest state amateur golf tournament in the country," said Mrs. Simkins. 

Hubbard Golf Course is once again the site for hosting championship golf in Utah, and continuing a legacy of excellence for women's golf.