Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash. hosted the 2025 SWGA Championship Tournament June 9–12, welcoming women golfers from 14 Seattle-area private clubs under the theme, “The Summer of ’69,” honoring Sahalee’s founding year.
The annual championship is traditionally held at the SWGA president’s club every 14 years. With Shane McTaggart serving as the current SWGA president, and also with her being Sahalee’s representative for 15 years, the championship returned to Sahalee this year.
All 14 clubs were represented in the 96-player field. The number of participants from each club included: Bear Creek CC (7); Broadmoor GC (2); Fairwood G&CC (7); Glen Acres G&CC (3); Glendale G&CC (14); Inglewood GC (6); Meridian Valley G&CC (12); Overlake G&CC (7); Plateau GC (6); Rainier G&CC (2); Sahalee CC (19); Sand Point CC (6); Seattle GC (2); and Twin Lakes G&CC (3).
Carol Artz from Fairwood was the SWGA 2025 Tournament Chair, and with the help of Sahalee’s Head PGA Professional Caleb Kraus and Sahalee’s Pro Shop, managed the four-day event – Monday was the qualifier, with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday’s format being match play.
Leslie Folsom (Rainier Golf & Country Club) edged out Michelle Hood (Sahalee’s current Senior Club Champion) in a tight championship final match on the 36th hole of their match, to earn her 10th SWGA City Championship title.
Michelle birdied the 33rd hole to tie the match. Leslie then won the 34th hole to go 1 up. They pushed the 35th hole setting up an intense 36th hole. They played 9 South, a par 3 with water on the left, as the 36th hole. Leslie smashed the ball to the back of green leaving herself with a downhill 30-footer while Michelle knocked it tight within 15 feet. Leslie hit a downhill lag-putt to about four feet. Michelle slightly missed her birdie putt and Leslie sunk her 4-footer to tie the hole and win the match, 1-up.
Low Gross of the Field (Medalist): Kim Santiago (Sahalee) – The Edean Anderson Ihlanfeldt Trophy
Low Net of the Field (tie): Julia Lee (Sahalee), Angela Lee (Twin Lakes) – The Joan Koch Trophy
In 2026 the City Championship will be held at The Plateau Club with Claudia Burke as President and the following year (100th Birthday) it will be held at Fairwood Golf & Country Club with Carol Artz as President.
About the Seattle Women’s Golf Association
Women is the Seattle area began a series of team matches in 1912. This expanded into other competitions, and in 1927 a committee of women met in the luncheon room of the Frederick & Nelson Department Store in downtown Seattle. Nine golf clubs in the area were represented at this meeting and the Seattle Women’s Golf Association was formed. Visit myswga.com for information.