Ruth Barker Memorial Trophy

Beginning in the 1960s, ladies competitions were held at most events. As participation increased, an official Ladies Championship was established in 1972 when the first Ruth Barker Memorial Trophy was awarded by her husband Richard B. Barker. Since then the Annual Ladies Match Play Championship has been held at the same time as the year-ending men‘s championship.  

The first Lady Champion was Bunny McAlpine of Summit, NJ.  Mrs. McAlpine successfully defended her title, winning again in 1973.  Since then there have been eight multiple champions, Louise Hightower of Duluth, GA in 1977-1978, Laverta Cassady of Vero Beach, FL in 1984-1985, and Sally Anderson of Houston, TX in 1999 and 2002, Kathy Lessene in 2005 and 2009, Gillian Curley in 2010-2011, Susie Dauber of Simpsonville, SC in 2017-2018 and Rhonda DeMuth, Bluffton, SC in 2022 -2023.  Mrs. Cassady won again in 1986 making her the only three time winner.  Eve Biron of St. Lambert, QC Canada who won in 1990 was the first international champion.

The 53rd Ruth Barker Memorial Trophy winner is Allie Cantonis from Belleaire, FL.  Mrs. Cantonis defeated a strong field of lady competitors to emerge as the 2024 SSGA Champion.  The Championship Flight was conducted as an individual match play event at scratch with all other flights playing match play at net scoring. Susie Dauber (Simpsonville, SC) was runner-up while Danette Hensel (Lakeland, FL) and Evelyn Blackmon (lakeland, FL) were semi-finalists. 

The Ladies enjoyed spirited competition over the two championship courses at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Florida. New friendships were discovered along with the quest for trophies!

Winners of the Ruth Barker Memorial Trophy