Darius Rucker and Beth Daniel Named Honorary Chairs of 2019 U.S. Women’s Open Championship
Country Club of Charleston Will Host the 74th U.S. Women’s Open, May 27-June 2, 2019
“I am proud to have been asked to serve as an honorary chair with Darius for our national championship,” said Daniel, whose father was a member at Country Club of Charleston when she was growing up. “For the U.S. Women’s Open to be held on the course where I learned to play golf makes this so special. The Country Club of Charleston will be a great test for the competitors and I can’t wait to see it.”
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Aug. 7, 2018) – Three-time Grammy Award winner Darius Rucker and World Golf Hall of Fame member Beth Daniel have been named honorary chairs of the 74th U.S. Women’s Open Championship.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) will conduct golf’s ultimate test for women on the Country Club of Charleston’s Seth Raynor-designed course in Charleston, S.C., from May 27-June 2, 2019.
Rucker, who was born, raised and still resides in Charleston, first gained superstardom as the lead singer and guitarist of the two-time Grammy-winning group Hootie & The Blowfish, which he co-founded while enrolled at the University of South Carolina. In 2008, Rucker began a solo career in country music that has earned him six No. 1 hits and the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance. Rucker, a longtime advocate for women’s golf, has hosted the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate tournament in Hilton Head Island, S.C., a premier event on the women’s college schedule, since 2009.
“Being born and raised in the Holy City, it is a great privilege to serve alongside golf legend Beth Daniel as an honorary chair of the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open at the Country Club of Charleston,” said Rucker, who also hosts the charity golf events ‘Monday after the Masters’ and ‘Darius and Friends.’ “This area is already buzzing with excitement for the championship, and we can’t wait to welcome the world’s greatest players to Charleston.”
Daniel, also a Charleston native, is a two-time USGA champion, winning the 1975 and 1977 U.S. Women’s Amateurs. She was also a member of the 1976 and 1978 USA Curtis Cup Teams. As a professional, Daniel won 33 times, including one major title, and finished runner-up in the 1981 and 1982 U.S. Women’s Opens. In 2000, she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Daniel hosts the Beth Daniel Junior Azalea each year at the Country Club of Charleston and also presents the Beth Daniel Award, which is given to the player with the most South Carolina Junior Golf Association points in a year.
“I am proud to have been asked to serve as an honorary chair with Darius for our national championship,” said Daniel, whose father was a member at Country Club of Charleston when she was growing up. “For the U.S. Women’s Open to be held on the course where I learned to play golf makes this so special. The Country Club of Charleston will be a great test for the competitors and I can’t wait to see it.”
In their roles, Rucker and Daniel will support the second USGA championship at Country Club of Charleston. The club previously hosted the 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, won by Emma Talley, 2 and 1, over Yueer Cindy Feng.
“Darius Rucker and Beth Daniel are the ideal chairs for the 74th U.S. Women’s Open,” said Matt Sawicki, championship director. “Not only do they have deep Charleston roots, but they are vocal supporters of women’s golf. Their broad appeal will help shine an even brighter light on golf’s ultimate test.”
Fans are encouraged to make their championship plans early by taking advantage of current ticket and volunteer opportunities. Special promotional pricing celebrating our honorary co-chairs is available now at uswomensopen.com/2019. Limited volunteer opportunities for the U.S. Women’s Open are still available. Visituswomensopen.com/2019 for more information.
The U.S. Women’s Open is open to professional female golfers and amateur females with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 2.4. The championship was first conducted in 1946 and its winners include Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright, Hollis Stacy, Amy Alcott, Meg Mallon, Annika Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak, Juli Inkster, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer, Inbee Park and Michelle Wie.
About the USGA
The USGA celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment and amateur status rules. Our operating jurisdiction for these governance functions is the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA Handicap System is utilized in more than 40 countries and our Course Rating System covers 95 percent of the world’s golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.
The USGA celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment and amateur status rules. Our operating jurisdiction for these governance functions is the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA Handicap System is utilized in more than 40 countries and our Course Rating System covers 95 percent of the world’s golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.
Visual Assets – for editorial use only
For images of today's press conference, the Country Club of Charleston or past U.S. Women’s Open Championships, email jpine@usga.org.
For further information: Julia Pine, jpine@usga.org, 510-701-1491
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