Women's Four-Ball Championship boasts new format, premier Venue
Photo: Hole #3, Forsgate Country Club
The fabled Banks Course at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township will host the 7th NJSGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship on Monday, June 3.
The “better ball of partners” Championship will have two divisions: a gross division for players who wish to negotiate a 6,000-6,100 yard course and a net division for players who thoroughly enjoy competition but at a less strenuous level.
Teams will choose their division during the on-line registration process, and prizes will be awarded in both divisions for gross and net scoring. Play will begin with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun.
One of the most appealing aspects of the championship is that it provides a great opportunity to play with a partner.
In Four-Ball, one score of the two partners is counted as the team score, so a golfer can spend the day with a friend and strategize during the event. All that is needed is for one of the two partners to score on a given hole. If a golfer has never played in a NJSGA championship, this is a great way to start to get a feel for tournament golf. And it is always more enjoyable when sharing it with a partner.
“We feel the separate divisions will draw a wider variety of players to the event,” said Brad Bardon, NJSGA Director, Championships. “The intent is for highly skilled players, who will appreciate a challenging golf course like Forsgate, to enter the gross division.
"The net division may be better suited for players who want to be involved in a championship-level event but in a less competitive format.
“The Banks Course at Forsgate is a great old-style course that is perfect for a team event. Women golfers should take advantage to the opportunity to play there,” Bardon added. Forsgate is consistently ranked by Golf Digest as "Best in State" for New Jersey, and has hosted numerous NJSGA, USGA, and LPGA championships over the years.
Lisa Lifer, a member of the NJSGA Board of Trustees and the co-winner of the first Women’s Four-Ball in 2013 is excited to present the reconfigured event to NJSGA members: “We want to make the Women’s Four-Ball championship playable for a variety of golfers.
The day will be challenging but enjoyable for all. What’s great about playing with a partner is inspiring and feeding off each other. It’s my favorite of all the tournaments I play,” Lifer noted.
Interestingly, the USGA initiated a Four-Ball championship in 2015 and it quickly drew more entries than any of the other women’s championships except the Amateur. Lifer added, “All around it’s a super day on a beautiful golf course. This year’s Four-Ball Championship offers the opportunity to play with a friend, rely on your partner, and golf at a great venue.”
The historic Banks Course was designed by Charles H. Banks, one of America's celebrated "Golden Age" architects. Regarded as an architectural gem, the "traditional" design of the Banks Course features many holes inspired by some of the legendary Scottish courses, as well as Bank's signature steep and dramatic greenside bunkers.
Each team’s entry fee includes breakfast, lunch, golf cart and green fee. The championship is open to teams of two female NJSGA amateurs with an individual USGA Handicap Index of 19.4 or less, as of May 15. Entries close on Tuesday, May 21, and teams can register by clicking here.
