The Women's Professional Golfers' Association was established in 1946; very soon thereafter it created the U. S. Women's Open as the premier tournament on the women's tour. In 1949 the Ladies Professional Golfers Association succeeded the WPGA and conducted the tournament through 1952, at that time the U. S. Golf Association took it over. Something that many will find noteworthy is that the purse of $19,700 for the first Open was contributed by the Spokane Athletic Round Table, a men’s fraternal organization. The purse was gathered from slot machine proceeds.

The U.S. Women’s Open is the longest-running event currently on the [tag-tec]LPGA[/tag-tec] Tour. It is one of the LPGA's four major champion-ships. It is 72 holes and in the case of a tie there is then an 18 hole playoff. The event is open to any female who has a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 4.4. The U.S. Women's Open is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

Not only is this event considered one of the most difficult, it is one of the most vied for.  Golf courses across the country want to host the event. Not only for the honor but, of course, for the economic gain that hosting such a high profile event generates. At this point the Women’s U.S. Open Championships are planned up to 2010. Sales are open for the 2007 event and courses are vying for 2011. Is it any wonder that winning the U.S. Women’s Open is one of the greatest accomplishments in golf?