The City of Kettering welcomes the Western Golf Association to Moraine Country Club for the 122nd Western Amateur Championship. Mayor Peggy Lehner stated, “We are proud to be the home of Moraine Country Club and are thrilled to have been selected as the site of this year’s championship.”
Since 2000, players who have made it to the tournament’s “Sweet 16” have won a combined 28 major championships, and we anticipate an exciting event.
The Western Golf Association (WGA) chose Moraine Country Club for its generous commitment to the Evans Scholars Program. During the past 21 years, members have helped to make it possible for more than 100 Moraine caddies to receive grants for housing and college tuition.
The WGA also chose Moraine’s nationally-renowned golf course. Moraine has been the course of choice for many tournaments over the years, including the PGA Championship in 1945. Nipper Campbell, one of the all-time great names in golf, was Moraine’s prolific golf architect, where he also served briefly as head pro. Moraine was ranked the best Ohio golf course in 2017 by Golf Digest. Golfweek named Moraine one of the top 100 Classic Courses. Golf Digest named Moraine as one of the toughest courses in the country. Some of the best players in the nation have hit the links of MCC.
Another fun fact… Dayton, Ohio, native Austin Greaser is expected to play in next year’s tournament. Austin won the 2022 Western Amateur. The tournament has never been held in our region, and it will be an incredible showcase for MCC, Dayton, and the state of Ohio!
The Western Amateur is the most grueling test in amateur golf. To win, the Western Amateur champion must play 72 holes of stroke play and finish in the top 16 to qualify for match play. He must then win four matches against the most talented amateur golfers in the world over the next two days.
With past champions like Chick Evans, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, the Western Amateur is where golf’s rising stars showcase their abilities.