Golf: Quail Creek, USGA announce U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur will be moved due to Irma

A few weeks ago, Collier County was all set to have its first United State Golf Association championship. Tuesday, Quail Creek Country Club and the USGA announced that it's not going to happen.

After a tropical disturbance dumped double-digit rainfall on the North Naples club, then Hurricane Irma dealt the courses there another blow Sept. 10, the United States Golf Association will move the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur to a new venue to determined later.

Golf: U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur at Quail Creek in Naples postponed due to Hurricane Irma

"Quail Creek Country Club prides itself in providing the best possible amateur golf courses and in these circumstance we felt Irma compromised that in the short term," general manager/COO Don Hunter said via email. "We are very disappointed. However, it is the right decision for the club, the players and the USGA.

"The club will make every effort to bring a major championship to Naples again. Next time, the conditions will be superior and up to our standards. My heart goes out to the supporters and the volunteers that have poured hours upon hours to this effort."

Players were notified via email Tuesday of the change, the USGA said. Kimberly Benedict, a Quail Creek member, and Mary Jane Hiestand, a Hideout member, were two of the local players who had qualified.

"After the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma, it's very unfortunate that Quail Creek has had to bow out of hosting," Hiestand said via text. "I hope that the USGA will re-connect with their friends at Quail Creek and reschedule for a future championship. I know they have worked very hard to make this a first-class event and to proudly promote Southwest Florida and Collier County."

Former LPGA Tour star and current golf TV analyst Dottie Pepper had been secured as a keynote speaker.

The USGA announced on Jan. 19, 2016 that the Women's Mid-Amateur was coming to Quail Creek. The tournament is for female amateurs age 25 and older who own a handicap index of 9.4 or below. The 132-player field competes in two rounds of stroke play with the low 64 advancing to match play.

Some golf courses in Southwest Florida more fortunate than others after Hurricane Irma

"Our thoughts continue to be with our good friends at Quail Creek, and with everyone affected by this storm as they continue to recover and rebuild,” said Rachel Sadowski, the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship director, in a release. “The USGA remains committed to conducting this championship, and we are working diligently to secure a new venue that provides the ultimate test of golf for these exceptional athletes.”

The USGA had said a week ago that the tournament would be postponed because of Irma with a rescheduling to come, but that the USGA would be on site to look over the courses -- the back nines of which were being combined for the tournament course. The USGA made its visit Monday.