Sewickley's Carol Semple Thompson receives special exemption into U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Fox Chapel Golf Club

Next month’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Fox Chapel Golf Club will have some local flair, as one of greatest amateur female golfers from the region, and the world, will be in the field.

Seven-time USGA champion Carol Semple Thompson received a special exemption for the event Aug. 1-4.

Thompson, 75, of Sewickley, is quite familiar with Fox Chapel Golf Club. Her 27-foot putt on the final hole there clinched the 2002 Curtis Cup and was one of the most memorable shots of her decorated career. Thompson represented the USA on 12 Curtis Cup teams, which produced eight victories in the biennial team competition. She served as USA captain for Curtis Cup-winning teams in 2006 and ’08.

Thompson’s decorated career includes winning the 1973 U.S. Women’s Amateur, the 1990 and 1997 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur. She is tied for second all time in women’s USGA wins, just one behind all-time leader JoAnne Gunderson Carner.

She was 53-32 in 41 U.S. Women’s Amateur matches. She also played in 32 U.S. Women’s Opens, with her best finish a tie for ninth in 1972 at Winged Foot.

The World Golf Hall of Fame inductee has played in 121 USGA championships, a record for any competitor.

She has also competed in eight USGA Women’s State Teams, winning the inaugural event with Pennsylvania in 1995.

Thompson also played in five Women’s World Amateur Team Championships and led the USA to victory four times.

She received the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the USGA, in recognition of her distinguished sportsmanship in women’s golf in 2003.

Her father, Harton Semple, was USGA president from 1974-75, and the U.S. Women’s Open trophy is named in his honor.

For any more information and ticket options for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, visit usseniorwomensopen.com.