The Elite Amateur Golf Series has announced a new series as part of its mission to align the top competitive amateur events in the United States.
Five leading women’s amateur events representing more than 345 years of conducting championships will form the Women’s Elite Amateur Golf Series (WEAGS) officially launching in summer 2024. The Women’s Elite Amateur Golf Series events are the Sea Island Women’s Amateur, Southwestern Women’s Amateur, North & South Women’s Amateur, Women’s Western Amateur and the Ladies National Golf Association (LNGA) Amateur.
“Since day one, our goal has been to align the top competitive amateur events in the United States, not only for the men’s game but for the women’s game as well,” said Andy Priest, Executive Director of the Southern Golf Association and Chairperson of the Elite Amateur Golf Series. “We are excited to play a leading role in elevating elite women’s golf by providing these athletes with an aligned summer schedule of competition at some of the most renowned venues in the country conducted by historic organizations and world-class resorts.”
In its fourth year, the Sea Island Women’s Amateur will kick off the series on Sea Island Golf Club’s historic Seaside Course in St. Simons Island, Georgia, from May 29-31. Two weeks later, the series heads west to Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, for the fourth edition of the Southwestern Women’s Amateur from June 12-15. Shortly after hosting the U.S. Open, Pinehurst will contest the men’s and women’s North & South Amateur concurrently on Courses No. 2 and No. 4 from June 25-29 for the first time. This year marks the 122nd playing of the North & South Women’s Amateur. The 124th Women’s Western Amateur is scheduled for July 16-20, bringing the championship back to its founding site at Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest, Ilinois, for a fifth time. The final event in the series is the 94th LNGA Amateur conducted by the Ladies National Golf Association at Hot Springs Country Club in Hot Springs, Arkansas, from July 23-25.
Mirroring the men’s series, within the Women’s Elite Amateur Golf Series is a summer-long competition named the Elite Amateur Cup. Using the WEAGS event results from the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) as the Elite Amateur Cup point system, top finishers in the final standings will earn exemptions into USGA Championships and other professional playing opportunities to be announced later.
The EAGS tagline is “The Best of the Best,” showcasing the best players playing at the best venues against the best fields in amateur golf. Elite Amateur Golf Series events hold a proven track record of conducting the most challenging competitive tests, making the championships among the majors of amateur golf–now for men and women.