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By Jackson Sveen, CGA Director of Media and Marketing

LINVILLE, N.C. (June 3, 2026) — The stars seemed to align over Grandfather Mountain this week as Elizabeth Rudisill of Charlotte, N.C., captured the 100th Carolinas Women's Amateur Championship at Grandfather Golf & Country Club.

In a fitting twist, Rudisill hit the opening tee shot of the championship on Monday morning and closed the tournament on Wednesday afternoon with the final putt, becoming the champion of the centennial playing of one of the Carolinas Golf Association's most historic championships.

The Vanderbilt rising sophomore earned her first CGA championship in dominant fashion, posting rounds of 73-71-72 to finish at even-par 216, six shots clear of the field. Rudisill was the only player to finish the week at even par or better as Grandfather Golf & Country Club proved itself a worthy championship test.

Rudisill credited a disciplined game plan and patient approach for her success on a golf course that punished even the slightest mistakes.

"I was really focused on my mental game this week, and I knew if I stuck to my game plan that things would hopefully work out," Rudisill said. "I tried to just hit fairways and greens. Especially on this golf course, firing at pins can really penalize you if you miss by a little bit."

That approach paid dividends throughout the week. Rudisill hit driver just twice during the championship, choosing instead to prioritize position over distance on a course where precision was rewarded and mistakes were often magnified.

"I was very strategic off the tee," Rudisill said. "I really focused on hitting fairways. The greens are hard, and just knowing that pars are good out here was important."

The victory also earns Rudisill an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, set for Aug. 3-9 at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tenn., adding another event to an already busy summer schedule that includes the North & South Women's Amateur and Western Women's Amateur.

After an opening-round 73, Rudisill shared the first-round lead with Ella June Hannant of Pikeville, N.C. The two remained near the top of the leaderboard throughout the week, but Rudisill separated herself from the field with a second-round 1-under-par 71 and never relinquished control during the final round.

Despite carrying a sizable lead into Wednesday's final round, Rudisill never allowed herself to think about the championship until the closing holes.

"Ella June made some great birdies on the back nine and that made me a little nervous because anything can happen on the last few holes," Rudisill said. "I think it was the chip on 18 when I finally thought, 'I think I've got this.'"

Hannant, a member of the inaugural USNDP Team North Carolina and a University of Nebraska commit, finished runner-up at 6-over-par 222 following rounds of 73-76-73.

Behind Rudisill and Hannant, Grace Ridenour of Raleigh, N.C., and Morgan Ketchum of Winston-Salem, N.C., shared third place at 9-over-par 225. Ridenour closed with a final-round 73 to move up four spots on the leaderboard, while Ketchum followed an impressive second-round 73 with a closing 75.

Sara Adams of Whispering Pines, N.C., and Kasey McIlvaine of Raleigh, N.C., tied for fifth at 10-over-par 226. Adams rebounded from an opening-round 79 with consecutive rounds of 73 and 74, while McIlvaine carded an even-par 72 during the second round before finishing with a 74.

Emerson Dever of Durham, N.C., and Jillian Fatkin of Oak Island, N.C., finished tied for seventh at 12-over-par 228. Fatkin's final-round 2-under-par 70 was the lowest round of the championship, while Dever matched the low round of the final day with a 1-under-par 71.

While Rudisill's name will forever be etched into championship history as the winner of the centennial playing, the week itself served as a celebration of the players, clubs, volunteers and leaders who have shaped women's golf in the Carolinas for generations.

Years before the first shot was struck this week, the CGA identified Grandfather Golf & Country Club as the ideal venue to host the championship's 100th playing. The connection between the club and the championship runs deep through founder Agnes "Aggie" Morton Cocke Woodruff, a four-time Carolinas Women's Amateur champion and one of the most influential figures in Carolinas golf history.

"When we looked at the 100th championship, we wanted to make it special," said CGA Executive Director Andy Priest. "The founder of this club, Aggie Woodruff, is a four-time champion. The through lines between the club's history and the Women's Carolinas Golf Association and now the Carolinas Golf Association just made the stars align to have this championship here."

Grandfather Golf & Country Club Director of Golf Jonah Cox said hosting the championship at the club founded by Woodruff made the occasion especially meaningful for the membership and staff.

"Very rarely do you have a club that was founded by a woman, and we're fortunate to be one of those clubs," Cox said. "Our founder won this championship four times, so bringing it back to Grandfather is full circle and something the membership and team are very, very proud of."

Beyond the championship's historical significance, Cox said the week provided an opportunity to showcase the people who make Grandfather one of the Carolinas' premier clubs.

"Being able to show what the team is capable of all across the club, from food and beverage to the golf staff to our golf course superintendent, has been really special," Cox said. "The conditions have been consistent and fair throughout the week, and it's something we're proud to display for people who might not be as familiar with Grandfather."

The championship's centennial celebration extended beyond the venue itself and into the course setup.

Throughout the week, players faced a different 100-yard par 3 each day, a nod to the 100th playing of the championship. The concept was developed by CGA Manager of Women's Golf Madison Isaacson, who served as the championship's Official in Charge.

As Official in Charge, Isaacson oversaw the championship setup, including selecting tee locations, hole locations and daily yardages to ensure the course provided a fair but demanding test.

"As an Official in Charge, you're responsible for making sure the course setup is fair while still challenging the players," Isaacson said. "That includes selecting tees, choosing hole locations and making sure the golf course tests every part of a player's game."

Cox believes the club's greatest asset extends beyond the golf course itself.

"Yes, it's a great golf course and a great setting, but the membership here is what makes it so special," Cox said. "We're thankful to work at a club that supports us and really cares about what we're doing."

For Rudisill, the victory represents both a career milestone and a place in championship history.

"I've actually never won a CGA tournament, so this is really special to me," Rudisill said. "Being at Grandfather Mountain, having family friends here watching, and it being the 100th Carolinas Women's Amateur made it extra special. I'm happy to be on that trophy."

The win marks Rudisill's first CGA championship and secures her place alongside a century of champions whose names have defined women's amateur golf in the Carolinas for generations.