USGA Championship Manager discusses upcoming U.S. Women’s Open

The U.S. Women’s Open is almost a year away, but a team from the USGA has been hard at work for more than nine months, Championship Manager John Coppins told the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce during the June 28 chamber luncheon.

The 2018 U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament will take place from May 28-June 3 at Shoal Creek Country Club. This tournament is the premier women’s golf tournament, Coppins said, and will bring in golfers of all levels to the Shelby County area.

The tournament is open to amateur and professional golfers with a handicap index not exceeding 2.4, and of the around 150 players, about 60-65 will be qualifiers.

“You’re going to have some 'no names,' you’re going to have some locals, you’re going to have some golf pros, some college golfers,” Coppins said.

The Women’s Open gains national attention, he added, and has the largest purse of any women’s tournament — $5 million.

“It’s by far the toughest test in women’s golf,” Coppins said. “It is the best golf course they get to play all year, the most challenging conditions they get to play all year.”

And when it comes to professional athletes, Coppins said the golfers in the Women’s Open tournament are some of the most accessible and accommodating. They’re typically open to autographs, photos and even teaching kids how to swing a golf club, and they appreciate the fan support, Coppins said.

Since moving to Shelby County nine months ago to begin work on the tournament, Coppins said they have received a warm welcome and lots of community support.

“The reception our team has received from Shoal Creek, the club, the Shelby County manager’s office, the chamber of commerce, any business or individual we’ve interacted with since we’ve been here in September, have been the most welcoming and accommodating bunch,” he said.

Preparations for parking accommodations, public safety, first aid and medical care, volunteers and other operations — including vendor selection, hospitality tents, concessions and other items — are in the process of being organized by the championship office.  A comprehensive parking and transportation plan will be released next spring, Coppins said, and tickets will go on sale in October.

Once the tournament is underway, Coppins said they will need about 2,300 volunteers to help everything run smoothly. With more than 115,000 spectators expected, Coppins said the tournament would not be possible without community volunteers and support from businesses.

While 115,000 spectators is an expected number, Coppins said they hope to exceed that goal and set a tournament record with 135,000 spectators.

“The support we’ve seen from the community already lends me to believe we can certainly obtain that,” he said.

The region can expect about a $25 million economic impact, Coppins said, from the number of athletes and other individuals coming into the area, staying in hotels, eating out and seeking other accommodations and activities. The area will also be featured through information on the USGA website and through more than 18 hours of live coverage on FOX sports.

“We’re excited to show Shelby County and Birmingham, Shoal Creek, off to the world,” Coppins said.

For more information about the tournament, go to usga.org/2018womensopen.