WSCGA honors Dawn Woodard’s national championship, recognizes Burnet and Venable as Players of the Year

By Stan Olenik. Editor-Publisher. The Golf Club

When Dawn Woodard was presented the trophy as the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Champion, it was not only a landmark moment for the Greer golfer, but a proud day for the Women’s South Carolina Golf Association.

Woodard, who grew up playing the game through the WSCGA, brought her championship trophy home with her to the association’s annual meeting in Columbia, where she was honored by her golfing family with the Spirit of the Game Award. The award was created by the WSCGA to recognize a member who has excelled not only in competition, but in her responsibility to the game itself.

It may have been easier to win the trophy than to move it around. The USGA packed and shipped the oversized championship trophy from the site of the championship at The Homestead in West Virginia to Woodard’s home in Greer.

“I could barely get it in my car,” Woodard joked. “When I look at the trophy and see my name on it, and then say it out loud, it still feels surreal.”

What isn’t surreal is Woodard’s record in state and national amateur golf.

Before and after completing a decorated college career at Furman University, where she starred for the Lady Paladins, Woodard won eight South Carolina amateur championships and made 35 appearances in United States Golf Association championships.

Woodard accomplished all of this while famously claiming she “hates golf.”

“Anyone who knows me has heard me say, ‘I really hate golf,’” she said with a laugh. “And everybody goes, ‘What?’ But I love what golf brings with it.”

Golf has taken Woodard to Pine Valley and Augusta National. Last year alone, the game carried her to Singapore and Bali. Many of those experiences once lived only as dreams, but for Woodard, competition itself was never the priority.

“I love the people, the integrity, the life lessons, and the ability to still compete at any age,” she said. “Golf has been an incredible vessel. The priority for me has always been using golf to build a meaningful life around it.”

Now a relatively young senior competitor, Woodard has the opportunity to add to what already stands as one of the most accomplished amateur golf résumés ever produced by a Palmetto State player.

“Golf has been incredibly good to me,” Woodard said. “Even in my junior days in South Carolina, it paid for my education at Furman. I have amazing friends from all over the world — all of that is because of golf.”

While her success on the national stage has at times placed her schedule at the mercy of (WAGR) world amateur rankings and championship invitations, Woodard made it clear those opportunities were built on the foundation she established in South Carolina.

“I have not forgotten my roots. I started in South Carolina, and I’m still very proud of that,” she said. “I’m grateful for so many people who have supported me. It takes a village to do what I’ve done for as long as I’ve done it. Thank you to the WSCGA.”

WSCGA Honors Players of the Year and Scholarship Recipients

The annual meeting also provided an opportunity to recognize the WSCGA’s current competitive standouts.

Sophia Burnet, a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina women’s golf program, was named WSCGA Player of the Year. The Hilton Head Island native captured both the Women’s South Carolina Amateur and the Women’s South Carolina Open in the same season before turning professional.

The Senior Player of the Year honor went for the second consecutive year to Lea Venable of Simpsonville. Venable has enjoyed a long and successful career in WSCGA competition and at the national level. She finished runner-up in the WSCGA Senior Championship and was part of the winning teams in both the Carolinas Women’s Four-Ball and the WSCGA Team Championship.

Through the Bob Handler Foundation, the WSCGA also awarded scholarships to three junior golfers pursuing college careers. Ella Kate Barnett of Gallivants Ferry will attend Anderson University, Kate Gunnels of Belton will play at USC Beaufort, and Julia Conroy of St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Greenville will continue her career at Berry College in Georgia.

With few college golfers receiving full scholarships, each expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the WSCGA.

Looking Ahead

The annual meeting also served as a checkpoint for the organization’s health and future direction. Executive Director Clarissa Childs said women’s golf in South Carolina remains on solid footing, with steady growth and increasing opportunity.

“Women’s golf has been the fastest-growing part of the game since the pandemic,” Childs said. “We’ve grown by about 10 percent and are now approaching 19,000 members statewide.”

With that growth, the WSCGA plans to launch a special fundraising initiative to support expanded programming, additional staff, and long-term goals.

“Our goal is to have events that serve all our members,” Childs said. “After 77 years, we feel it’s time to work toward a permanent headquarters.”

And while competition remains spirited, Childs said the organization’s emphasis on community remains unchanged.

“We enjoy helping local ladies associations at clubs,” she said. “If they’re successful, we’re successful.”

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