History
The first Women's Amateur Championship was conducted by the U. S. Golf Association at the Meadow Brook Club in Westbury, New York, on Nov. 9, 1895. It was an 18-hole stroke play tournament.
Since 1896, the event has been a match-play tournament, with seeding based on preliminary qualifying rounds. Currently, qualifying consists of two 18-hole rounds, with the lowest 36 scorers qualifying for match play.
If there's a tie for the 36th qualifying spot, the contenders immediately take part in a sudden-death playoff.
The ensuing matches are at 18 holes except for the final, which is played over 36 holes. The winner receives a silver trophy, and her club gains temporary possession of the Women's Amateur Championship Cup, which was presented to the USGA by Robert Cox in 1896.