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, 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 & 2025.  Laverta Cassady is the only other three time winner, winning in 1984, '85 & '87.  Eve Biron of St. Lambert, QC Canada won in 1990 to become the first "international" champion.

The 54th Ruth Barker Memorial Trophy winner is Rhonda DeMuth from Bluffton, SC.  Mrs. DeMuth defeated a strong field of lady competitors to emerge as the 2025 SSGA Champion after wins in 2022 & 2023.  The Championship Flight was conducted as an individual match play event at scratch with all other flights playing match play at net scoring. Sherri Kaufold (Vidalia, GA) was runner-up while two former Champions, Allie Cantonis (Bellaire, FL) and Susie Dauber (Simpsonville, SC) were semi-finalists. 

The Ladies enjoyed spirited competition over the three championship courses at the Sea Island Resort in Georgia. New friendships were discovered along with the quest for trophies!

Winners of the Ruth Barker Memorial Trophy