The history of the Women’s Akron District Golf Association (WADGA) is a story of passion, perseverance, and progress. Founded 100 years ago when fairways were more often walked by men, this association carved out a space where women could not only play this sport but excel, compete, and lead.
Journey through the decades as its history unfolds below, celebrating the milestones and memories of the WADGA.
WADGA was founded in April 1925 at Portage Country Club with seven initial member clubs. Women representatives from these clubs in a four-county area gathered to establish the Women’s Akron District Golf Association. The founding member clubs were Brookside Country Club (Barberton), Brookside Country Club (Canton), Congress Lake Club, Fairlawn Country Club, Portage Country Club, Rosemont Country Club, and Silver Lake Country Club.
Over time WADGA grew, and Alliance Country Club became the eighth member in 1926. In 1929, Shady Hollow Country Club joined. Women from these clubs were likely instrumental in drafting WADGA’s bylaws, which were approved early on. Mrs. R.S. Leonard of Portage Country Club served as WADGA’s first chairwoman.
Since 1925, only three member clubs have had continuous membership in WADGA: Fairlawn Country Club and Portage Country Club since 1925, and Shady Hollow Country Club since 1929. Many different clubs have come and gone since the original founding, including Elmwood (Massillon), Firestone (Akron), Breathnach (Cuyahoga Falls), Lakeside Shrine (Canton), Aurora Golf and Country Club (Aurora), Rawiga Country Club (Medina), Walden Golf and Tennis Club, Glenmoor Country Club (Canton), Rosemont (Akron), the Country Club of Hudson, and briefly Orchard Hills (North Canton).
Today the organization has 12 member clubs: Alliance Country Club, Brookside Country Club, Congress Lake Club, Fairlawn Country Club, Fox Meadow Country Club, Medina Country Club, Ohio Prestwick Country Club, Portage Country Club, Shady Hollow Country Club, Silver Lake Country Club, Westfield Country Club, and Weymouth Country Club.
Our predecessors were active and stalwart golfers in several ways. Although the ladies’ tees were used for invitational tournaments, the regular men’s tees were utilized in the WADGA Championships. The team and invitational matches were often played under challenging weather conditions, showcasing both skill and resilience.
Since 1925, WADGA has maintained an impressive record of excellence, conducting competitions in all but four years. The hiatus from 1943 to 1945 was due to World War II, and the association became inactive in 1951, reflecting a decline in participation that year.
In 1953, a new chapter began when Betty Kerby Peppard of Fairlawn was elected WADGA President, a position she held for nine years. Recognizing the need for organized, competitive opportunities for women golfers, Betty’s leadership, along with the support from the member clubs, rejuvenated the association. During these years, many changes were made in the association and its golf programs, including stroke play in class, Fun Day, and the Seniors Tournament. Today, the opening and closing fun days are team play, and all other events are individual low gross/low net stroke play in flights.
The initial format of the WADGA Championship featured team matches, with all clubs participating. Additionally, there were individual tournaments for women affiliated with member clubs, requiring a $0.50 entry fee. Through 1963, the WADGA Championship was a match-play event. During these years, the tournament lasted four to six days. A practice round on Sunday was often a Pro-Am or an Am-Am event. A qualifying round was then followed by match play. The first WADGA Champion was Mrs. E.A. Bedell of Fairlawn Country Club.
In 1986, index and slope systems were introduced. On May 15, 1986, WADGA sent two teams of four to be trained in the slope system at Mayfield Country Club. By 1988, play was to be based on a handicap index and slope system rather than the regular club handicap as in the past. Nothing really changed, as a member could only use an index equal to a 25 handicap at their member club for acceptance into WADGA. Now players could be put in flights because their index would allow for different handicaps at the different clubs. By 1990, an index of 24.0 was introduced to assess the member’s acceptance into WADGA. This index has been raised a few times since 1990. As of May 1, 2025, members must have an index of 30.0 to be eligible to join. Over the last several years, membership has remained constant between 80 and 100 ladies.
As we look ahead to the next hundred years, the Women’s Akron District Golf Association remains dedicated to fostering camaraderie, sportsmanship, and excellence in the game of golf. Our rich history is a testament to the remarkable women who have shaped our legacy, and we are excited to honor their contributions while inspiring future generations.
We officially kick off our centennial celebration on June 4, 2025, at Portage Country Club where it all began one hundred years ago. It is a fitting start to a year of reflection, recognition, and renewed passion for the sport we cherish.
