The Women's South Carolina Golf Association (WSCGA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1949 to promote and serve the best interests of women's golf in SC.
It does so by hosting tournaments for all skill levels throughout the state and, in conjunction with the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA), provides free seminars for members that cover the Rules of Golf, Pace of Play and Etiquette, rates SC golf courses for women players, and provides handicap services to its Member Clubs and individual members.
The WSCGA supervises the WSCGA Vicki Hillen Junior Golf Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission of enhancing the lives of juniors through exposure to the game of golf by fostering competition, sportsmanship and appreciation for the integrity of the game.
In South Carolina in 1948, there were no ladies' golf organizations. There were no ladies' tees. Only five country clubs had grass greens - the rest had sand.
On a late August day that year, Eddie Riccoboni, a PGA professional at Sunset Country Club in Sumter, his wife, Myrtice, and another Sunset member, Annette Roddey,
were on the way home from a golf round at Florence Country Club. Eddie said he thought the women at nearby clubs should get to know each other and promote their golf activities.
He asked Annette to write to some of the clubs regarding forming such an organization and she responded that if he would send telegrams, she would pay the cost.
The response from other clubs was enthusiastic. Twenty-eight women from eight clubs and pros from five clubs met at Sunset Country Club on September 7th for a luncheon, golf tournament and business meeting to discuss organizing a women's group in the state. Jane Crum Covington of Orangeburg Country Club was named temporary chairman, with Annette Roddey as secretary.
Jane invited thirty clubs statewide to the next meeting and a tournament held October 12th at Orangeburg Country Club.
The Orangeburg newspaper headlined the event "Women Golfers to Flock Here".
Representatives from eleven country clubs attended the meeting, at which a committee was appointed to incorporate suggestions for a proposed constitution and by-laws for adoption.
After the meeting, approximately 50 women competed in a tournament at Orangeburg Country Club. Playing from the men's tees, Jane Covington shot the low gross of 80 and Julia Prause from Charleston shot the 2nd low gross with an 85.
The next meeting was held November 23rd at Columbia Country Club. Representatives from ten country clubs attended the meeting and became the charter members when the proposed Constitution and By-laws were adopted in early 1949. Thus, the Women's South Carolina Golf Association was born!
Jane Crum Covington was elected as the first WSCGA President, the beginning of her lifelong commitment to golf and the WSCGA. Often referred to as "the first lady of golf in South Carolina", she celebrated her 100th birthday in December 2021!
In 1951, at a regular annual meeting, Eddie Riccoboni, PGA Professional at Sunset Country Club, was recognized as having been the founder of the Association and one of its most helpful advisors. To similarly recognize his wife's role in creating the WSCGA, the overall net championship in the WSCGA State Amateur was named the "Myrtice Riccoboni".
Charter Members
Mrs. Jane Crum Covington - Orangeburg Country Club
Annette Roddey - Sunset Country Club (Sumter)
Mrs. Merle P. Gilreath - Greenville Country Club
Mrs. E. S. Lawhorn - Columbia Country Club
Mrs. Howard J. Gordon - Lakewood Country Club (Rock Hill)
Mrs. Charles Burns - Country Club of Spartanburg
Mrs. George C. Hart - Forest Lake Club (Columbia)
Mrs. Frank C. Ford, Jr. - Country Club of Charleston
Mrs. R. G. Woolfe - Camden Country Club
Mrs. Roland Robertson - Florence Country Club
The WSCGA continued to grow the number of Member Clubs and individual members and, in 1982, incorporated as a 501(c)(7). We were granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in January 2024.
Today, the WSCGA has over 300 Member Clubs and approximately 17,000 individual women members maintaining GHIN handicaps.
Recognized as one of the premier women's golf associations in the United States, the WSCGA promotes and supports women's golf across South Carolina by fostering community, competition, and lifelong participation in the
game-with a focus on empowerment, health and wellness. Our Member Clubs represent every golf demographic including private, semi-private, public, municipal, military, resort, and e-clubs throughout the state.
The WSCGA upholds the traditions, policies, and high values that are integral to the great game of golf while continuing to serve the best interests of women golfers across South Carolina.
The Women's South Carolina Golf Association (WSCGA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1949 to promote and serve the best interests of women's golf in South Carolina. Its mission is carried out by:
You might already be a member! Any female South Carolina resident who maintains a GHIN handicap at a WSCGA member club is considered an individual member.
If you don't belong to a traditional club, you can join a Carolinas eClub. The requirements are:
The WSCGA offers a diverse and full schedule of events throughout the year. They cater to different skill levels and preferences with various formats, including individual stroke play, match play, and team events like scrambles and best ball.
Beyond tournament access, members receive several key benefits:
The WSCGA Vicki Hillen Junior Golf Foundation is the organization's charitable arm focused on junior girls' golf. Key programs include:
