In the summer of 1910 Mrs. George Harrington of Eastlake Country Club in Atlanta and Mrs. Willard Parker Sullivan of Richmond, Virginia, (later of Birmingham) concerned over the lack of a championship golf tournament for women of the South were determined to hold a tournament at Eastlake that Fall at which time a permanent organization would be formed. A full tournament schedule caused the date to be moved to May 15, 1911, and there the Women's Southern Golf Association was born.  The WSGA Amateur Championship has since been an annual event except for the war years 1918 and 1942-45. 

The area of membership as voted in 1928 still comprises the 15 Southern States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. 

Mrs. Roger Smith of Nashville, the first Champion, had qualified with a 102. The first medalist was Alexa Stirling,  who at age 13 carded a 95. The lowest medalist honor belonged to Mrs. Gordon Street, Jr., of  Chattanooga with a sterling 66 in 1965. That record was tied by Miss Stacy Lewis of Woodlands, TX in 2006.  Since 1935, when Katherine Hemphill of Columbia, S.C., fired a 79 at Louisville, Kentucky, no medalist has been out of the 70’s. Through the years, the WSGA has had many Curtis Cup team members and captains. Numerous players have also moved on to the pro ranks. 

Entry fees have escalated from the original $3.00. Entries have been as few as 18 to as many as 160 with a long waiting list. Since 1973, the field has been limited to 144 with much of the field handicapped from 0-5. Qualifying scores in 1911 were 95-177 with the top score in the championship a 116.  

1913 Mrs. David Gaut from Memphis first played in the championship. She qualified with 132 and went on to be consolation winner of the second flight. She served as President from 1931 to 1939 after winning the championship in 1923. She was very instrumental in structuring the WSGA as it stands today. In 1931, she asked for a Board of Directors to help with the affairs of running the championship.  

In 1954, District Representatives were appointed, each one serving several States until in 1958 it was voted to have a Representative from each State.

TROPHIES

The Championship Trophy - was initiated in 1925.

Team Trophy  - a perpetual trophy awarded to the two qualifies from the same Metropolitan are whose combined gross  qualifying scores are lowest. First awarded in 1926.

Marguerie Gaut Trophy  - Awarded to the Senior Medalist (50 or over, lowest qualifying score), begun in 1948 as a senior prize, became in 1953 a perpetual trophy in the custody of the last winner until the next WSGA Championship. 

Riley Eaken Memorial Trophy - Awarded  to  the low net qualifier and was first awarded in 1967.

Marty Webb Junior Medalist Trophy - Started in 1978 as a perpetual trophy awarded to a contestant who has not reached her 18th birthday before the end of the championship.

Evelyn Monsted Trophy - a perpetual trophy awarded to the contestant having the lowest qualifying score.  It was first awarded in 2007.