The historic greens of Moraine Country Club hosted the 122nd Western Amateur Championship this past week, showcasing a lineup of elite amateur golfers in Kettering, Ohio. Mayor Peggy Lehner expressed the city's excitement, stating, “We are proud to be the home of Moraine Country Club and are thrilled to have been selected as the site of this year’s championship.” This declaration mirrors the anticipation felt throughout the city.
This tournament, revered as one of the most demanding in amateur golf, saw players strive through 72 holes of stroke play to land a spot in the "Sweet 16," which is not just an honor but also a notch on the belt of early-career golfers. Since 2000, those who have reached this elite group have garnered 28 major championships.
In choosing Moraine Country Club, the Western Golf Association (WGA) nods to the club's storied history and its firm commitment to philanthropy, specifically, the Evans Scholars Program, which has enabled over 100 Moraine caddies to receive college tuition and housing grants over the past two decades. Beyond its charitable endeavors, Moraine is recognized for its challenging play. It was named the best Ohio golf course in 2017 by Golf Digest and has been ranked as one of the top 100 Classic Courses by Golfweek, among other accolades, according to the City of Kettering's official website.
One might say that stepping onto the Moraine course is stepping into a piece of golf history. The legendary Nipper Campbell not only designed it but served as the head pro, making Moraine a true golf connoisseur's dream. Let's not forget its pedigree as a PGA Championship host in 1945. It's been making and watching golf history for decades, showing the nation time and again why it's one of the toughest, most renowned courses in the country. The Western Amateur Championship, with its grueling format, is the perfect match for the resilience and honor Moraine Country Club symbolizes, "Some of the best players in the nation have hit the links of MCC", according to the City of Kettering.
