WEST POINT — When Old Waverly founder George Bryan began lobbying for his new golf club to host the 1999 U.S. Women’s Open, critics questioned the wisdom of staging the LPGA’s most prominent event “in the middle of nowhere.”
Bryant would be vindicated by the large crowds that turned out to watch Juli Insker’s record-breaking performance. Depending on who you listen to, the Old Waverly attendance of 125,000 set the attendance record for an LPGA event. While it’s difficult to measure the impact the event had on Old Waverly’s success and growth over the years, it’s safe to say it did succeed in putting Old Waverly and West Point on the golf map.
“Just the exposure of having a national television audience, the first ever for a golf event in Mississippi, was something very important,” Bryan said. “Over the years since, I can’t tell you how many comments I’ve had from people from all over who remember it.”
This week, many people who played a prominent role in that 1999 U.S. Open have returned to Old Waverly for the ISPS Handa Cup, a Ryder-Cup style event that will pit a team of 12 U.S. senior women players against an International contingent in a two-day, 36-hole competition that begins Saturday at 9 a.m.
Bryan will be there, as will Inkster, whose 16-under-par total at the 1999 Open set a scoring record in a five-stroke victory. Sherri Turner, the runner-up to Inkster will play, as will Lori Kane, who finished fourth. Other notables on hand this week include Pat Bradley, Beth Daniel, Laurie Davies and Jan Stephenson.
Tournament officials are reluctant to put an estimate on the expected attendance this weekend.
“We really have no idea,” tournament director Rick Millburn said. “But we expect a good turn-out, several thousand, I’d say. We have had some advance sales, but we expect 90 percent of the tickets will be sold at the course. That’s typically the case.”
Tickets are $10 each day. Military families can attend for free with a military ID. There is also no charge for kids under the age of 10.
Bryan feels the low ticket prices, a promising weather forecast and an opportunity for a more intimate experience with the players makes the Handa Cup a true bargain.
“You’re talking about the pioneers and legends of the women’s game,” Bryan said. “It’s a chance to walk the course with players and see them up close. It should be a great experience.”
Bryan noted that the caliber of play is also appealing.
“These women can still really play,” he said. “Add to that the competitive pride of playing for your country just like what we see in the Ryder Cup, it’s really exciting to have this event here at Old Waverly.”
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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