WTGA History

The following explains significant details that happen in each year. The tournament referred to is now called the State Amateur Championship.

1974

The Board voted that the $10 dues must be paid for each golf course operating under a different name regardless of location, management difference or similarities. To speed play it was decided to start on double tees #1 and #10.

1975

Entry fee increased to $35. Amendment was passed-A director may serve a seventh year if nominated and elected President of the WTGA for the ensuing year. On April 1, 1975 the Board had a big discussion on the cost of the tournament to the host club. The President appointed a committee to meet and suggest ways to make the tournament more self supporting. On September 13, 1975 it was voted that the WTGA become more self supporting. The board agreed to accept the challenge of taking over more of the duties. They also voted not to accept any 9 hole golf clubs and continue not to accept any municipal clubs. If a 9-hole golf club had already been a WTGA member in good standing they would continue to be a member.

1976

Dues increased to $30 for 18 hole clubs and $20 for 9 hole clubs. Entry fee increased to $40.Voted that when a Director moved out of her district, she would write a letter of resignation to the WTGA President and a new Director from that district would be voted in. First year the WTGA took over more of the operation of the tournament. The championship flight finalists played 36 holes the final day. First year of the “new” USGA handicap system, which now was based on course rating and yardage.

1977

Board members were required to wear jackets and golf shoes when on duty on the golf course. First time the Saturday board meeting was referred to as the “Pre-Tournament Meeting.”

1978

Voted any President of the WTGA upon completion of her term on the Board will be invited for 3 years to participate in the tournament, regardless of her handicap. However, she must use no more than the set handicap limit in “The Babe.”

1979

134 contestants played this year. The distance to Amarillo and the handicap limit was set at 15, so this was attributed to the small field. Voted to have a rules seminar for junior and new contestants to be held on the Saturday preceding the tournament. Slides were purchased for presentation.

1980

Ties in “The Babe” were broken by matching cards starting on hole # 1 instead of “luck of the draw.”

1981

Entry fee increased to $ 60. Voted that all members of the board and incoming directors be permitted to play in the tournament regardless of handicap. Board decided to have lower handicaps tee off first in qualifying round. The Board also voted that putting prizes would be awarded by dividing the field by 1/3 rather than handicap: “There should be three putting awards, one for each division (a division being one third of the field with like handicaps remaining in the same division); duplicate awards will be given in the event of a tie.”

1982

There was another major re-writing/re-printing of the Constitution and Bylaw. They were re-printed and presented to each director as a gift in a green ring binder with the WTGA logo. WTGA accepted clubs whether 9, 18 or more holes and all paid the same dues. Prior to 1982, 9-hole courses were charged higher dues.

1983

Annual dues were adjusted to $20 for all clubs. Entry fee increased to $75. The number of directors was increased by creating a central Texas area out of part of the Austin Area. Entry fee was raised to $75. Started to send cards to the contestants to verify that her entry was received. A special case was made for the Junior Medalist Trophy and was donated by Amy Dover (Junior Medalist 1981) and family.

1984

Entry fee increased to $80. Course Rating started to get discussed and it was decided to have a Course Rating Seminar conducted by Dean Knuth, Director of Handicaps and Course Ratings for the USGA. Dean Knuth actually is known for developing the slope rating system. Voted that “residency” be interpreted to mean “eligible to vote.” Entry fee was raised to $80.

1985

It was realized that the phrase “eligible to register to vote” would make all junior players ineligible to play. A vote was taken and “eligible to vote” was deleted. A new statement said “eligibility to enter the WTGA tournament requires residency in Texas or Texarkana, six months prior to the tournament and regular membership in a member club which has paid its dues to the WTGA.” Spring BOD meeting voted to award prizes of crystal, embossed with the WTGA logo, instead of the Waterford which had been given for several years.

1986

Entry fee increased to $90. WTGA accepted the responsibility for rating golf courses for women in Texas. Miss Lydia Hill and Miss Betsy Clifford were appointed Chairmen of the Course Rating Committee. The WTGA sponsored another Course Rating seminar held at Trophy Club. Entry fees were raised to $90. The Greens Committee (course set-up) was responsible for the scorecard and local rules. Voted to contribute $2 per member club for the years 1987, 1988, 1989 to the USGA Capital Campaign-total given was $1,100.

1987

Voted that the registration chairman position be divided into two jobs beginning in 1988. Also that the Secretary-Treasurer be divided into two offices beginning in 1989. Bylaws re-written: “A Director was not deprived of voting regardless of how many years she had served on the board. Rule: If she represents an area, she has a representative vote from that area.” Lane Foster, 1987 President, presented to the board a president’s gavel made from a King Wood head. Brass plates on the carved walnut base were to be engraved with future president’s names.

1988

A new tournament guide for host clubs was written to replace the host club responsibilities formerly included in the Standing Rules. Handicap index set at 17.4. A fifth scrapbook was added to the collection.