History
The Western Golf Association was founded in 1899, just five years after the U. S. Golf Association, and it immediately began conducting amateur and open tournaments for men.
The WGA tournaments were second in importance only to the USGA national championships until after World War II.
In 1930, the association added the Western Women's Open, which was the most important tournament for women professionals before the Titleholders Championship was established in 1937.
Until it was discontinued after 1967, the Western was considered a major title on the women's professional tour.