2008 Woodie Awards
Newport Country Club to Host Women's U.S. Open
Briana Carter
Issue date: 3/30/06 Section: News
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In preparation for the championship, the need for volunteers is crucial in running this event. U.S. Open volunteer coordinator, Cheryle Simon is dedicated to recruiting as many volunteers as she can. Volunteers are asked to pay for a $95 package that includes two golf shirts and either a hat or a visor and a ticket for the whole week.
Breakfast and lunch are also provided for those who help out. Simon comments on the benefits of being a volunteer.
"As a volunteer coordinator I need help, I need volunteers. And it's a great way to see the championship. I think anybody that is thinking about attending the championship, should really consider volunteering," Simon said. "We take really good care of the volunteers and I think it's a really great experience for them."
HOW MANY WOMEN ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2006 U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN?
"We will have a field of 156 players, and they are professionals and amateurs. They have to qualify to get into the Women's Open. Most LPGA tour events, the actual tournament staff will go out and recruit players and that's one of the things that they really strive for, is to get a good field. Well, for the Women's Open, it's the National Championship, so we don't have to go and recruit.
It's one of the nice things about this event. They want to play here. They all want to win this title. They'll have practice rounds Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. They'll compete Thursday and Friday, and then there will be a cut. So Saturday and Sundays rounds the field will be about half of what it is to start out with. They take the top 60 players and ties. Plus anyone within 10 shots of the leader, I believe. So it ends up being about half of the field that plays on Saturday and Sunday, but it's not a definite number."
WHY WAS NEWPORT SELECTED AS THE LOCATION FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP?
"The Newport Country Club has a long history with the USGA. The United States Golf Association was founded by five clubs back in 1894 and Newport Country Club was on of those five founding clubs. It was the site of the first U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur. The Centennial of the U.S. Amateur was here in 1995 at Newport Country Club and Tiger Woods won that championship. They look at the clubs and the course more than the city itself.