GETTING READY FOR THE
2006 US WOMEN’S OPEN:
BEHIND THE SCENES
WITH MARCIA LUIGS

By Susan Hafner

Most golf fans don’t know how much time and planning go into organizing and running a major golf championship. Marcia Luigs knows all too well what it takes, since she is the Chairman of the USGA Women’s Committee that conducts all USGA official women’s championships. Her two-year stint as Chair means that she and her 17-member Committee must make sure that everything runs smoothly, and that takes a few years of organizing prior to the event.
Marcia’s enthusiasm for women’s golf is contagious. “This event is THE PREMIER women’s golf event in the world,” she emphasizes. “It brings golfers from all over the world and receives more media attention than any other women’s tournament. It is so exciting to be a part of it.”
The 61st US Women’s Open is slated to begin June 26, 2006 and ends July 2, 2006. Newport, RI, offers a marvelous venue for the Open, with a town steeped in history and a golf course that is a founding member of the USGA. The town of Newport, known for its Jazz Festival, the Tennis Hall of Fame, the Tall Ships and of course America’s Cup sailing races, welcomes visitors on a year-round basis.
Preparation for the Open starts two years in advance, when Marcia and her staff begin site visits and setting up specific groups to handle the myriad of tasks. Coordinating all functions outside the ropes is the Director of the US Women’s Open, Betse Hamilton. Her group manages such things as parking, concessions, hotels, transportation, grandstand locations, volunteers, ticket sales, and television camera locations. Inside the ropes, USGA staffer Mike Davis handles the rules of golf, the actual competition, and the golf course set up. Rules officials are volunteers who walk with every group of golfers while the competition is going on, and 52 people are usually involved.
“No USGA event could run without the help of volunteers,” Marcia explained. The co-chairs for Newport CC’s championship committee, Brenda Carlin and Diane DiBari, couldn’t agree more. One of their major tasks involves securing 2500 volunteers, those individuals who do everything from updating the scoreboard to the walking scorers who accompany each group during each round to the hospitality table staffing.
Marcia says the best part of her role as Chair is being able to witness the tremendous growth of women’s golf. “My daughter was a junior player and I had a chance to see the numbers of girls coming out for golf. Today the numbers of players, the talent and the possibilities awaiting women golfers have increased unbelievably in the past decade.”
Marcia believes that the USGA encourages the growth of golf by creating programs for getting kids involved with the game. The USGA Foundation awards grants for all types of kids who want to play, including minority and handicapped golfers. She promotes the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf program as a wonderful way for girls to learn the game, make friends, and experience competition in a positive learning environment. “We (the USGA) don’t just conduct championships- we keep an eye on the whole spectrum.”
A typical day for Marcia at the upcoming championship shows that her job is not for the faint of heart. She will rise at 5:30am, arrive at the golf course by 6-6:30am, go out on the course with the staff to review hole locations and assure that the tees are ready to go, then spend the remainder of the first two days roving the course during competition. During the last two days, she will walk with the final group until the 72nd hole is finished. From there Marcia will escort the winner to the award ceremony at the 18th green and present the trophy.
At the 2005 Open in Cherry Hills, Colorado, Marcia remembers vividly the final day while she walked with Morgan Pressel and Karen Stupples. “At the 72nd hole, I knew that if Morgan could make par, she would force a playoff. As a youngster, she has tremendous poise. She hit a spectacular drive, and as we were walking to her ball, a huge roar erupted at the 18th green. We all knew exactly what had happened. Birdie Kim had holed out from the bunker. It was a huge disappointment for Morgan, but she handled it like a pro.
Marcia is eager to get golf fans involved at the Open. “There are so many fun things to do and see. You can volunteer, or you can come to the practice rounds before the competition begins. Bring the kids! As part of the Catch the Spirit, youth 17 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. They will be able to get front row seats to watch the competition and there will be activities and lunch vouchers available for them.”
To catch some of Marcia’s spirit, visit www.2006uswomensopen.com or to volunteer, call Cheryle at 401-843-8742.

Susan Hafner is a regular contributor to Tee Time Magazine and a freelance writer who has been playing golf for 11 years. Susan has written various feature stories, interviewed many of the LPGA and Futures players, and written many travel articles. Susan continues to pursue her dream of writing full time and hitting her driver 200 yards every time.