2025 Vermont Women’s Amateur Championship
Ekwanok Country Club, Manchester, VT
August 4, 5, 6, 2025
The VSWGA is excited to conduct the 2025 Amateur at the historic Ekwanok Country Club, the only club in Vermont to have hosted a United States Golf Association tournament. Ekwanok first opened for play in 1900 and to this day the course is renowned for its beautiful setting, immaculate condition, and enduring charm. It was designed for walking and remains the only Vermont course to still have a caddie program. Ekwanok is consistently recognized as the number one golf course in Vermont, and among the top classic golf courses in the country.
Field Size: The Championship is open to a maximum of 80 players. Players must have a USGA GHIN index of 36 or less on the first day of the tournament. Additional eligibility requirements are listed below.
Tees/Competition: The field will play from two sets of tees:
1. The Championship Division includes a gross/net competition played from the yellow tees (5490 yards). The Overall Champion, Runner-Up, and Junior Champion will be awarded from this tee set. The Championship Division will play three rounds (54 holes) over three days (M-T-W). After 36 Holes, if needed, there will be a Cut: The field will be cut to a certain number of players (low scores and ties). We are projecting that the cut will include approximately 40 players. The exact number will be determined either at the close of registration or at the close of play on Tuesday.
2. The Tournament Division includes a gross & net competition played from the forward green tees (4750 yards). The Tournament Division will play two rounds (36 holes) over two days (M-Tues).
The Paquet Cup will be awarded using a combination of players from both Divisions over two rounds of play. As always, the Paquet Cup is determined using gross scores (this is for the Amateur).
Each player has the option to select the Division that they feel is more appropriate for their ability & enjoyment. In the past, we have been supported by several mid and higher handicapped players that have expressed interest in only playing two rounds, and playing from a shorter tee set up. We are trying this out for 2025.
Cost to Register: Championship Division $210, Tournament Division $165.
Awards: Prize Certificates will be awarded to the best gross & net players in each Division. There will be an awards presentation on Tuesday after play for the Tournament Division and an awards presentation on Wednesday after play for the Championship Division.
Dress Code: Ekwanok Country Club has a strict dress code. All players, caddies and spectators must adhere to this policy or they will be asked to change.
Golf Course Dress Code
The following appropriate golf attire is required at all times on the golf course and the practice facilities.
Ekwanok management asks that shoes be changed in one of the locker rooms, not the parking lot. There is a locker room in the Pro Shop and one in the Clubhouse. Golf shoes with “soft spikes” or spikeless rubber nodes are preferred, and shoes with metal spikes are discouraged, but boots, dress shoes and heeled shoes are not permitted on the golf course or putting green at any time.
Tennis attire is not acceptable on the golf course or practice facilities.
Ladies Dress Code
Polo-style shirts with collars, with or without sleeves, may be worn, and shirts without collars are acceptable provided they have sleeves. Shorts and skirts must be golf-styled or golf-specific and adhere to the “fingertip” length rule. Unacceptable attire includes: graphic t-shirts, tank tops, halter-tops, leggings, athletic shorts, sweat pants, blue jeans, cargo pants and short shorts. Hats must be worn bill forward.
Gentlemen Dress Code
Polo-style shirts with collars and sleeves must be worn, with shirts tucked into pants/shorts at all times. Shorts must be golf-styled or golf-specific, and Bermuda-length. Unacceptable attire includes: cargo pants or shorts, athletic shorts, bathing suits, sweat pants, blue jeans, overly baggy pants or any shorts not within 4 inches of the knee. Hats are to be worn bill forward. Gentlemen and boys must remove their hats when entering the clubhouse.
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: Discreet and silent use of cell phones, tablets and laptop computers is permitted in the clubhouse and on club grounds. Talking on an electronic device is allowed only in designated cell phone booth, respective locker rooms, or in personal automobiles in the parking lot. Cell phones may be carried, in silent mode, in golf bags and used in case of an emergency on the golf course. Rangefinders are permitted on the golf course.
Practice Rounds: The complementary practice round is a courtesy of the club and isn’t guaranteed. It will be offered subject to club availability. Dates and times are very limited.
Please call the Pro Shop to schedule a practice round and to schedule a Caddie, 802-362-1774.
Available times are as follows:
Wednesday May 14th, 10-12pm and after 3pm.
Wednesday May 21st, 10-12pm and after 3pm.
Friday May 23rd, 10-12pm
Sunday June 1st, after 3pm.
Wednesday June 11th, 10-12pm and after 3pm.
Friday June 13th, 10-12pm.
Sunday June 22nd, after 3pm.
Players must pay a cart fee for the practice round, the cost is $42.80 inclusive of tax, unless they engage a caddie.
Caddies are available for an additional fee and must be scheduled in advance through the pro shop. The club is willing to waive the cart fee if a competitor enlists a caddie. Caddies are not mandatory. Non-affiliated Caddies or friends may join a player (WALKING) for a practice round as a caddie or spectator but are not permitted to ride in a cart during the practice round. To ensure all players have a chance to complete their practice round, please be aware of your pace of play and limit play to ONE BALL per hole.
Caddies are available in three categories, based on experience:
“A” Caddie = $80
“B” Caddie = $65
“C” Caddie = $50
Tipping your Caddie is appreciated.
Tournament Format: Competition will be stroke play over as outlined above.
Schedule – Championship Proper:
Round 1 – August 4 (18 Holes) – Championship + Tournament Divisions
Round 2 – August 5 (18 Holes) – Championship + Tournament Divisions
Round 3 – August 6 (18 Holes) – Championship Division (40 players + ties if cut is needed)
The lowest scorer for 54 holes will be presented the Champion trophy.
If, at the end of 54 holes, a tie for first place occurs, play will immediately continue hole-by-hole until the winner is determined.
If ties for other positions occur, USGA tie breaking method will be used.
Caddies & Automotive Transportation: Players may use caddies during play. A player is not required to employ a caddie for any round of the competition. Caddies may be hired through Ekwanok’s caddie program by calling the Pro Shop. (Should there be a date by which they should call?) See cost above under Practice Round information. Players shall be permitted to use automotive transportation during play. The cost of cart transportation is an additional fee for all competitors. Please Note: Ekwanok does NOT permit the use of more than two golf carts per group. Players may be required to share a cart, and the availability of a seat in a golf cart for a caddie is not guaranteed.
Food/Beverage: The VSWGA will be providing a complimentary box lunch each day for all players. Food & Beverage is available for purchase for outside caddies or spectators. Bar service will be available following play.
Starting Times: Round 1 Starting Times & Pairings will be based on Flight and Handicap Index and will run as straight tee times from 8am-12 noon. Round 2 starting times will be based on Round 1 score, with Championship Tee players playing prior to Tournament Tee players. Round 3 pairings will be based on cumulative score of the Championship Tee players. Play will begin each day at 8am.
Prizes:
Champion Trophy – Vermont Women’s Amateur Champion (Championship Tee)
Runner-Up Trophy – Vermont Women’s Amateur Runner Up (Championship Tee)
Junior Champion Trophy – Vermont Women’s Junior Champion (18 & Under – Championship Tee)
Allbright Ringer Cup – Best Ringer Score (Championship Tee)
Paquet Cup – Best 3-person team score, gross, calculated after two rounds of play. Players from both Divisions will be eligible to contribute a score to this competition.
Inclement Weather/Cancelled Round: The VSWGA reserves the right to alter any of the conditions and schedules herein. If the Championship course is declared unplayable and as a result it is not possible to complete the 54 holes of play in the period in which the Championship is scheduled, the Championship will not be extended beyond the last scheduled day and the winner shall be the individual who returns the lowest score for the number of stipulated rounds played. The Committee may institute a cut in order to play the last stipulated round.
Registration & Refund Deadline: 3:00 p.m. Monday, July 21
- Registration will open on Golf Genius on May 9, 2025.
- Players will be placed on a “Pending Registration” list until two weeks prior to the event when the fields will be determined.
- Once registration closes, if the field size is exceeded, preference will be given to lowest handicap indices. Should this occur, a waitlist will be created and players will be informed of their place on the list as the tournament nears.
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Eligibility Criteria for Competition: Players must be a member in good standing of the VSWGA. In addition, all players must meet one of the following resident scenarios:
Vermont Resident*
- Vermont resident, and
- member in good standing of a VSWGA member club,** and
- active GHIN handicap issued by a VSWGA member club, and
- has posted a minimum of 10 rounds in the last 12 months at any VSWGA member club.
OR:
Non-Vermont Resident*
- member in good standing of a VSWGA club for at least three years, and
- active GHIN handicap issued by a VSWGA member club**, and
- has posted a minimum of 10 rounds in the last 12 months at any VSWGA member club.
*Legal residency is defined as the player’s place of primary residence (where registered to vote or the State listed on driver’s license).
**a list of VSWGA member clubs, which includes clubs and organizations offering GHIN services to their members (such as Lakeside, Golf Garage, and 802 Golf).
Juniors
A Junior Amateur Champion will be crowned and a trophy awarded. Juniors are also eligible to win the overall Amateur Champion trophy and gross or net prizes. To compete for the Junior Champion Trophy, Juniors must sign up for the Championship Division. Juniors are eligible for all prizes offered in the division in which they are participating.
A Junior has not reached their 19th birthday by the opening day of the tournament. A Junior of 18 years of age is eligible only if they have not yet begun their first semester of college. Juniors must meet the eligibility requirements listed above, although Juniors participating in the Championship flight are exempt from the minimum number of posted scores rule. However, if a Junior chooses to play in the Tournament flight, and wishes to be eligible for net chits, they must meet the minimum number of posted rounds rule.
Parents and guardians are not allowed to caddie for Juniors.
Major Championships General Information
Eligibility, Handicap Limits, Caddie, Carts, Lodging, Pairing Information, etc.
Tee Times: Tee times generally range between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. off the 1st and 10th tee and will be e-mailed to participants/available through the Golf Genius portal approximately 5 days before the tournament start date.
Registration/Check-In: Registration/Check-in at all tournaments will be in the morning until 1 hour before the last tee time on the first day.