WA Golf News April 26, 2023

Meet the Co-Chairs Behind the Scenes of the 8th U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship

The 8th U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball will be held at The Home Course in DuPont, Wash. on May 13-17. When hosting a National Championship of this magnitude, there are a number of people involved behind the scenes to make things happen. We caught up with two of those people, Amy Walker and Sharon Johnston, the two Co-Chairs of the championship.

Getting to know Amy Walker – Co-Chair, 8th U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball

What is your current role with the City of DuPont? Amy : I am the city’s Parks & Recreation Director. How long have you been on the Board of Directors at WA Golf? Amy : Five Years. In what ways has the City of DuPont assisted in preparing The Home Course, and the city, to host the upcoming U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball? Amy : The city is very proud to be the home of The Home Course and believes in the mission of WA Golf and the PNGA, who co-own and operate the golf course. We are grateful for the continued relationship and strive to endorse championships that help showcase our city and bring visitors to DuPont. We align with our local businesses and hotels to ensure a welcoming and memorable time for our visitors. How have you been able to combine your skills as a city administrator and your interest in the game of golf? Amy : Every day! Whether it be my job or my personal life, it is all about relationships and nurturing a common vision and goal. I played on the University of Oregon women’s golf team, and have been abundantly blessed by the game of golf during my life. I am very fortunate to be able to promote the game I love in the city I represent. How did it happen for you to be named Co-Chair of the championship? Amy : Having a passion for the city I represent made it seem a perfect fit to serve as Co-Chair. Anything else you’d like to add? Amy : Having competed myself in a U.S. Women’s Amateur and a U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, I know how special it is to not only qualify for but also play in a USGA national championship. I am honored to pay it forward with the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball.

Getting to know Sharon Johnston – Co-Chair, 8th U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball

You served as Executive General Chair of the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links, held that year at The Home Course. You also served for 10 years as the Chair of the WA Golf Championship Committee. Clearly there is an interest in competitive golf. What gives you the most satisfaction in your involvement with competitive golf? Sharon : I enjoy having the opportunity to give back to the sport I have enjoyed for so many years. I have learned so much being involved in the planning, working, competing, and being an observer of competition at this level that it has even helped in my own game. We definitely never stop learning. For the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball, in what ways do you see this as promoting/benefiting women’s competitive golf (for all ages)? Sharon : There are many challenges involved in even qualifying for a USGA national championship. It can be a huge confidence builder if one qualifies and even a great learning opportunity for those who try. For those who qualify at a young age, many will benefit from scholarship or career opportunities that may not be available had they been denied entry or needed to wait until they were older. How did it happen for you to be named Co-Chair of the championship? Sharon : I currently am serving on the Board at The Home Course and I had past experience not only with the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links held at The Home Course, but also experience working with the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. I believe that my past experience and involvement is the reason I was asked to co-chair this Four-Ball Championship. How long did you serve on the Board of Directors at WA Golf? Sharon : I served on the Board from 1996-2014 and again from 2016-2019. I served as WA Golf president from 2007-2009 (and was the golf association’s first woman president). So, in total more than 20 years. You also served on the Board of Directors of The Home Course – what has your role been with the course from this perspective? Sharon : I served on the Board at The Home Course beginning in November 2007 (the first year the course opened) and am currently still a member of that Board. I have served on the Green Committee and also the Finance Committee, and I have been Chair of the nominating committee for the past three years. I was president of The Home Course Board from 2016-2019. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Sharon : I also had the opportunity to serve on the USGA Women’s Mid-Am Committee for 10 years and attended those national championships conducted all around the United States. I learned a lot about the workings of running a championship and all of the committees needed to make it run smoothly.