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WSGA TOURNAMENTS & CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Wisconsin State Golf Association was initially formed back in 1901 in order to determine who the best golfer in the state was. So, the first State Amateur Championship was “born” and forty-two players journeyed to the Sinnissippi CC (now Janesville CC) to see who would triumph. Hamilton Vose of the Milwaukee CC came and won the championship and, rightfully so, since he was also the first WSGA President. Presently, the WSGA annually conducts thirteen state championships, thirteen qualifying events, eight Net Partners tournaments, and, in conjunction with the WPGA, hosts the Nelthorpe Cup matches; a competition between the best amateurs and professionals in the state. Over 4200 WSGA members participate in WSGA-sponsored tournaments and qualifiers, now totaling 34 events. The WSGA also conducts the regional qualifying in the state of Wisconsin for six of the United States Golf Association Championships – The U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Junior (Boy’s) Amateur, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Senior Amateur and the U.S. Mid-Amateur. A brief description of each WSGA-sponsored tournament, along with any eligibility requirements, is listed below. Should you have any further questions, feel free to call our office (414) 443-3560, or pose your questions through our “Contact the WSGA” section of this web-site.

WSGA State Amateur Championship

• This event has been conducted annually since 1901. The format, originally match play, was changed to a 72-hole stroke-play event in 1971. The State Am, contested over four consecutive days, is annually conducted on one of Wisconsin’s finest courses and continues to be recognized as the premier amateur tournament held in Wisconsin. A three-man team competition, the “Yule Cup,” where players representing the SAME club compete for the “Cup,” is also held. To be eligible, players MUST have a WSGA Handicap Index of 9.4 or less.

WSGA Match Play Championship presented by TAYLORMADE

• When the State Amateur was changed to stroke-play in 1971, there was a need for the addition of a State Match Play Championship. The WSGA returned this event to the tournament-schedule in 1975. This growing event has been expanded to allow 64 qualifiers to enter into match-play competition following an 18-hole stroke-play qualifying. Two 18-hole pre-qualifying tournaments will be held in May for all those players who are not exempt. Exemptions were given to those players with 50 or more points on the WSGA Men's "Player of the Year" point list. To be eligible, players MUST have a WSGA Handicap Index of 9.4 or less.

WSGA Bestball (Four-Ball) Championship

• This two-man, bestball (Four-Ball) scratch tournament format requires a 36-hole stroke-play qualifying over two different 18-hole golf courses before the low thirty-two teams enter into match-play in order to determine the champion. Team members do NOT have to be from the same WSGA member club. To be eligible, teams MUST have a combined WSGA Handicap Index of 12.0 or less.

WSGA Governor’s Cup Championship

• This statewide 36-hole tournament is conducted for players ranging in age from 40-54. Each player is eligible for either gross or net prizes. The age divisions are as follows 40-44, 45-49, and 50-54. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in both gross and net divisions. A three-man team competition, the “JIM LOVE CUP,” where players representing the SAME WSGA club vie for the team championship, is also conducted. To be eligible, players MUST have a WSGA Handicap Index of 19.4 or less.

WSGA Director’s Cup Championship presented by adidas

• This statewide 36-hole tournament is conducted for players age 25 and older. From 1997 to 1999, the Director’s Cup also featured competition in three different age divisions: 25-29, 30-34, and 35-39. In 2000, the age divisions were eliminated to make the Director's Cup a true Mid-Amateur championship. Instead, there will be prizes awarded to the lowest finishers in both gross and net divisions. To be eligible, players MUST have a WSGA Handicap Index of 11.4 or less.

WSGA Senior Amateur Championship

• This statewide 36-hole tournament, conducted for players aged 55 and older, was started in 1981 and is considered the finest senior event in the state. Competition for both gross and net awards is conducted in three different age divisions: Senior (55-62), Super-senior (63-69) and Legends (70 & over), as well as for the over-all gross and net trophies. A three-man team competition, the “Sam Ruskin Cup,” where players representing the SAME club compete for the “Cup,” is also held. To be eligible, players MUST have a WSGA Handicap Index of 22.4 or less.

WSGA Senior Match Play Championship

• The WSGA added a new tournament to its schedule in 2002 for senior men age 55 and over. An 18-hole stroke-play round will be played on Monday afternoon to determine the 32 players who will make up the match play field. First round and second round matches will take place on Tuesday. The Quarterfinals and Semi-Finals will take place on Wednesday, and the Championship match will take place on Thursday. A Super-Senior Age Division was added for players age 65 or older. The Super-Senior Age Division qualifies 16 players into match play. To be eligible, players MUST have a WSGA Handicap Index of 12.4 or less.

WSGA Senior Bestball (Four-Ball) Championship

• This senior bestball tournament, started in 1986, is conducted in a stroke-play format over 36 holes. Two-man teams compete for gross and net awards. Team members do NOT have to be from the same WSGA member club. The Senior Bestball is annually conducted on one of Wisconsin’s finest courses. To be eligible, teams MUST have a combined WSGA Handicap Index of 22.4 or less.

WSGA State Junior Championship presented by CULVER'S

• This tournament is open to all boys who have not and will not attain their 19th birthday during the championship. The event is conducted under a stroke-play format over 54 holes and features three divisions: 14 and under, 15-16, and 17-18, in addition to the crowning of an overall champion. A team competition also takes place during the tournament, where three-man teams representing the SAME club compete to take home the trophies. The aggregate score of the three-man team over the first 36 holes determines the team champions. To be eligible, players MUST have a WSGA Handicap Index of 15.4 or less.

WSGA Pater-Filius (Father-Son) Championship presented by GOLFWEEK

• The father and son event has grown to become one of the most popular WSGA championships. The tournament features an alternate shot format with one team member driving off of all the even-numbered holes and the other team member driving off of all the odd-numbered holes. The top teams in both gross and net divisions are awarded prizes. Because of the popularity of the tournament, a second site was added in 1996 to accommodate ALL who entered. To be eligible, each player MUST have a WSGA Handicap Index not exceeding 36.4. The maximum Handicap Index allowed for ANY contestant is 36.4.

WSGA Net Partners Tournaments and the WSGA Net Partners Championship

• In 1995, the WSGA added to its schedule a series of NET tournaments designed to give players of ALL abilities a chance to compete in a tournament format. The resulting Net Partners tournaments, where two-person teams compete in an 18-hole event, have proven to be quite popular. It is a combination event in which the net score for each player is added together with their net bestball score. The top seven teams from each of eight Net-Partners tournaments are invited to compete in the season-ending Net Partners Championship, where the over-all champions are crowned. To be eligible for the Net-Partners tournaments and Championship, players MUST have a WSGA Handicap Index. The maximum Handicap Index allowed for each contestant participating in the competition is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women.

WSGA State Net Amateur

• In 2007, the WSGA added to its schedule its newest WSGA state championship – the WSGA State Net Amateur Championship. This event is designed to give players of ALL abilities, both men and women, a chance to compete in an individual state tournament format using their Handicap Index. Contestants will play an 18-hole round and their Net score will be calculated by subtracting their Course handicap from their 18-hole gross score. To be eligible for the WSGA State Net Amateur Championship, players MUST have a WSGA Handicap Index. The maximum Handicap Index allowed for each contestant participating in the competition is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women.

WSGA 2-Man Team Championship

• The WSGA 2-Man Team Championship is one of the WSGA's newest state championships. This two-man team event will be played over three rounds, with each round using a different format. The first round will be bestball (Four-Ball), the second round will be alternate shot (Foursomes), and in the third round, both team members’ 18-hole score will count, thereby yielding a 72-hole team score. Team members need NOT be from the same club. All competition will be played at scratch - No Handicaps. To be eligible, team members must have a combined WSGA Handicap Index of 12.0 or less.

Nelthorpe Cup Matches

• The WSGA, in conjunction with the WPGA, co-sponsors this “all-star” event in which the twelve highest ranked amateurs along with the four highest ranked senior amateurs compete against their professional counterparts in a team competition conducted under a match-play format. The competition features Individual (Singles) matches and Four-Ball (Bestball) match play. The Nelthorpe Cup Matches annually showcase the states best golfers and is by invitation only.