As part of the MSGA’s centennial celebration over the course of 2021, we are recognizing some of the major historical events that took place over the last 100 years of our organization.
Champion Mrs Greiner on left & Runner-up Miss McHenry on right.
After initial discussions about the locations of the first three MSGA Championships, the Elkridge Hunt Club was chosen for the Women’s Amateur, along with Rolling Road for the Amateur and Open. At a later meeting of the association it was decided that the Amateur remain at Rolling Road Golf Club while the Open was settled for the Baltimore Country Club, and the Women’s Amateur would be played at the Suburban Club. Also, the original discussions concluded with the agreement that the Women’s Amateur, like the Men’s, would start with a qualifier for match play followed by two matches per day. In a Baltimore Sun article of April 24, 1921 written by Claude C. Madison it reported that at a later meeting, though, President M. Tyson Elliott stated that two matches of 18 holes each day was too strenuous for the women and could be endured only by players who were unusually well seasoned, playing during ideal weather conditions. He went on to state: “We wish to provide a pleasant golf event for the women of Maryland rather than an endurance test, which will become a grind and tax the physical resources of the players”. The Suburban Club course will be in magnificent condition for the Championship. Host golf professional Reginald S. Babcock reports the greens will be as near perfect as can be in this vicinity. Several new tees have been built as well as a new practice putting green near the clubhouse.
MSGA officials will allow players to make their own pairings for the qualifier. Many predict that one of the eighteen Elkridge Hunt Club entries would be the likely winner.
The eighteen were the most from any club of the 55 entries of which all but six started during the qualifier for the two sixteen player flights. Mrs. W. F. Peterson of Baltimore Country Club was medalist with a fine score of 97 which was bogey for the course. Mrs. E. Boyd Morrow of the Elkridge Hunt Club was a close second at 100, and Miss Elfie Bowes, the young Roland Park star was third with a 103. Officials allowed the women to determine the hour of their matches. The Championship flight of 16 had seven from the Elkridge Club and six from the of Baltimore Country Club. The women began match play the next day and after two rounds the semi-final matches were played and both remaining favorites were defeated. Mrs. John E. Greiner of the Elkridge Hunt Club was the victor over Miss Elfie Bowes and Miss Edith D. McHenry won against Miss A. Katherine Gans, both from the Elkridge Club. Mrs. Greiner won on the final hole by making a three-foot putt to earn her 1up victory. The second match between Miss McHenry and Miss Gans was a spectacular match which was decided by the last putt on the home green. During the finals Mrs. John E. Greiner played steady golf as she defeated a fellow club member Miss Edith D. McHenry 6 up with 5 to go to become the first Maryland Women’s Amateur Champion. Mrs. E. Boyd Morrow also of the Kennels defeated Mrs. Joseph Siegel of the Maryland Country Club 4 and 3 in the Championship consolations. While Mrs. Greiner’s victory might appear to have been with ease, she was forced to out-putt her youthful opponent playing in her first tournament to win the crown. After the tournament, MSGA President Ellicott said “This has been the most successful golf affair ever conducted in Maryland”.
