Lancaster Country Club, nestled in Pennsylvania Dutch country, has proven twice that it can host a thrilling U.S. Women’s Open. After pulling off an exhilarating finish back in 2015 and setting new attendance records, the club delivered yet another unforgettable event just last week.
This 1920 William Flynn-designed course isn’t just a pretty landscape; it’s a real test of skill. Despite being a bit out of the ordinary for a traditional U.S. Women’s Open venue, it managed to produce the toughest competition in a decade and celebrate a worthy champion in Yuka Saso who now holds two U.S. Women’s Open titles. The excitement wasn’t just on the green either. This year’s tournament outdid itself, boasting the highest fan satisfaction score since USGA started keeping track—4.83 out of 5, matched hospitality sales records, and had the best merchandise sales ever for this event.
USGA CEO Mike Whan perfectly summed up the sentiment by declaring, ‘When people talk about Lancaster, they say, man, that’s a hidden gem. Well, you ain’t hidden anymore. You are a gem.’ It’s clear that both the challenging course and the community’s enthusiastic support make Lancaster an ideal venue for women’s championship golf. In fact, discussions are already underway for future USGA events at Lancaster, although the next possible hosting opportunity won’t come until at least 2037.
The club, however, isn’t just fixated on hosting another U.S. Women’s Open. They have broader aspirations. ‘We have made a very deliberate decision to hold ourselves out as a home for the women’s game at the championship level,’ said Rory Connaughton, a member of the club’s board and Greens Chair. Lancaster aims to be a hub for not only professional women golfers but also amateurs, juniors, seniors, and mid-amateurs.
One crucial point is that Lancaster knows its strengths and limitations. The course, just under 6,950 yards, is not lengthy enough for the longest hitters in men’s tournaments. It plays longer due to its par 70 and several uphill approach shots, but even the Women’s Open had many par-4 tee boxes maxed out last week. For Connaughton, this focus on women’s golf is not about pivoting towards men’s championships. ‘For us, it’s not a vehicle to the men’s game,’ he stated. ‘We don’t have that heritage, but we do have a golf course. We do have a market. We do have a club that embraces this.’
Lancaster’s unique geographical location lends itself well to being a prime host for these events. The city may be modest in size with just under 60,000 residents, but the metropolitan area and nearby regions bring in a sizeable population. Notably, Lancaster lacks any major professional sports team, which means events like the U.S. Women’s Open become a focal point of community interest and support, drawing fans in droves.
Events like these could potentially transform the area into a more established center for women’s sports. Connaughton even imagines a future where every USGA women’s champion stands on Lancaster’s 18th green, trophy in hand, under a banner reading ‘Welcome Home.’ With such ambition and proven success, Lancaster Country Club is poised to become an enduring part of the championship golf circuit.
After two successful U.S. Women’s Opens, Lancaster Country Club has demonstrated its capability and commitment to becoming a central venue for women’s championship golf. With the enthusiastic backing of the community and a clear vision for the future, Lancaster is set to keep making its mark on the sport.
