THE VIRGINIAS-CAROLINAS WOMEN’S TEAM MATCHES HISTORY

In May 1957, the reigning Virginia state champion, Sydney Elliott of Charlottesville, VA, proposed the team matches to the President of the Women’s Carolinas Golf Association. At the general meeting of the WCGA in May, the membership voted unanimously to proceed. Aggie Cocke, the reigning WCGA champion, was appointed by the board to work with Sydney to organize twice annual matches. Sarah Miller, the matriarch of Virginia women’s golf, lived in Charlottesville, but had a home in Linville, NC, and was instrumental in bringing the two sides together as well.

 

Matches were conducted in the spring and fall, rotating between Virginia and the Carolinas. 60 points were possible at each meeting. The first matches were held at Farmington CC in Charlottesville, VA on August 9, 1957.

 

In 1972, the matches were changed to 3 days, once a year, with 90 points possible.

 

In 1999, the matches were changed to 3 point matches. Day-1 as team captain’s choice, Day-2 & 3 were team best ball.

 

In 2009, the format was changed to Day 1 and Day 3 team best ball, Day 2 Pinehurst format. All 12 matches count as 3 point matches and the alternate match was eliminated.

 

In 2015, the captains agreed to the following: change Day 3 best ball matches to single matches. The format was then Day 1 best ball, Day 2 is Pinehurst and Day 3 is singles matches. The other rules of the matches were clarified: team members must be a resident of the state she is playing for and must be 18 at the time of the matches.

 

In 2023, the format was changed to two 18-hole rounds. Round 1 consists of 9 holes of four-ball match play and 9 holes of modified alternate shot match play. Round 2 consists of 18 holes of singles matches. Further, the team composition was changed to a total of 18 players: 10 amateurs (ages 18+), 6 seniors (ages 50+) and 2 super seniors (ages 60+).

 

All matches are 3 point matches.