Pair of Senior Amateur events headed to Nashville's Belle Meade Country Club
USGA Photo
Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville, Tenn., has been chosen by the USGA as the host site for the 2028 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and 2036 U.S. Senior Amateur. These will be the first USGA championships hosted in the Nashville area since 2018 and just the second and third USGA championships hosted by Belle Meade.
“We are excited to return to Belle Meade Country Club, which not only has a fantastic golf course but a supportive and hospitable membership," said Mark Hill, USGA managing director, Championships. “We are appreciative of the invitation and look forward to welcoming the best male and female senior amateurs in the world."
Belle Meade Country Club, which was founded as Nashville Golf and Country Club in 1901, was originally located in the Whitworth area on West End Ave. At the annual meeting in 1911, club president Frank O. Watts recommended relocation to Belle Meade, an initiative that was carried out in 1916.
Herbert H. Barker was responsible for the original golf course design, though ultimately, Donald Ross completed the golf course, with contributions and updates to the course layout coming from Robert Trent Jones in the 1950s. In 2003, the golf course was again renovated under the supervision of golf architect Rees Jones and his associate Bryce Swanson.
“Belle Meade Golf Club is honored to be hosting the 2028 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and 2036 U.S. Senior Amateur,” said Tom Hooper, club president. “Belle Meade Golf Club has a storied history, and we are proud to once again partner with the USGA for what is sure to be an amazing week. On behalf of the Board of Directors and all the members, we are excited to welcome these championships to our club.”
In 1955, Belle Meade hosted its only USGA championship – the inaugural U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, in which John Wood Platt defeated George Studinger in the championship match, 5 and 4.
Those who have called Belle Meade home include Katherine Graham, longtime USGA volunteer and chair of the USGA’s Women’s Committee, a member of the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame and captain of the 1990 United States team in the World Amateur Team Championships, and Sarah LeBrun Ingram, a three-time U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion and two-time USA Curtis Cup team captain.
Tennessee has hosted 16 USGA championships. The 2028 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and 2036 U.S. Senior Amateur will be the 19th and 21st championships held in the Volunteer State, respectively. Upcoming championships include the 2024 U.S. Senior Amateur and 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur, which will both be held at The Honors Course in Ooltewah.
The U.S. Senior Amateur is open to any golfer who is 55 years of age and whose Handicap Index® does not exceed 5.4. The U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur is open to any female golfer who is 50 years of age and whose Handicap Index® does not exceed 14.4.
This year’s Senior Amateur and Senior Women’s Amateur will be held on Aug. 24-29 at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tenn., and Sep. 21-26 at Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle, Wash., respectively. The dates of the 2028 and 2036 championships have not been determined.
ABOUT THE U.S. Senior Amateur
The USGA Senior Amateur is open to those
with a USGA Handicap Index of 7.4 or lower,
who are 55 or older on or before the day the
championship begins. It is one of 14 national
championships conducted annually by the
USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.
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