The 52nd Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Belle Championship is set for Sun City’s Briarwood Country Club, 20800 N. 135th Ave., Dec. 28-30.

There will be a 90-player field of amateur women competing in a 54-hole, stroke play tournament. Founded by Joanne Winter, LPGA, in 1971, the tournament was launched to encourage competition for amateur women under age 24.

“There was no Junior Golf Association of Arizona, no American Junior Golf Association and no Title IX and usually the other major championships were either for junior girls under 18 or national amateur events, which consisted mainly of college girls. The two did not cross paths,” said Silver Belle President Barb Byrnes.

Today, the Silver Belle is nationally recognized and included in amateur rankings conducted by World Amateur Golf, Golfweek, Golf Stat, Junior Golf Scoreboard and AJGA. In the early years the Silver Belle was played in summer months to take advantage of free or reduced green fees.

“The tournament grew into a large destination for high school, college and even foreign players,” said former Silver Belle President Tina Huiskamp. “We moved the date to the winter holidays to accommodate these players with prep or NCAA restrictions. Families came, then stayed for holiday or football games. The Silver Belle has become a great tourney for young women. A win ─ even a good finish ─ is a high mark for any girl.” 

College recruiters, who scout potential players while enjoying an Arizona holiday vacation, became one of the largest groups of spectators at the tournament.

Visit AZSilverBelle.com.