Thursday morning marked the start of the first ever U.S. Senior Women’s Open golf tournament at the Chicago Golf Club, with a field including four former Tar Heels.

Suzy Whaley (Class of ’89), Donna Andrews (’89), Cathy Johnston-Forbes (’84) and Sally Austin (’73) are each taking part in the historic event, as they all have eyes on becoming the inaugural winner.

“It’s pretty special and exciting to know this is the inaugural event and that we’re going to be a part of it,” Austin, a former head coach, player and founding member of the UNC women’s golf program, said. “It’s something that we thought was long overdue. It’s a special thing for female golfers to have this event. It’s the biggest event for senior women golfers in the country right now.”

Whaley, Andrews and Johnston-Forbes each earned automatic qualifying bids thanks to victories on the LPGA Tour during their professional careers, while Austin qualified back in June by shooting a 67 at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club.

“This is something we all thought we would never see,” Whaley said to USGA’s Ron Sirak. “This is about showing respect for the players who came before us and about establishing a championship for the players who are on the LPGA right now. And it’s about competing. That’s why we are here. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”

 

 

Photo via Fred Vuich (USGA)