1899 U.S. Women’s Amateur: Ruth Underhill wins at Philadelphia (Pa.) C.C. (Bala Course)
Ruth Underhill won the 1899 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Philadelphia (Pa.) C.C. (Bala Course) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beating Margaret Fox 2 & 1 in the final.
Updated October 23, 2026
Walk this draw in the U.S. Women’s Amateur room.
- Edition
- 5th
- Dates
- October 10, 1899 to October 14, 1899
- Course
- Philadelphia (Pa.) C.C. (Bala Course), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Format
- stroke-play qualifying + match play
- Champion
- Ruth Underhill · age 25 · United States
- Champion's title
- 1st U.S. Women’s Amateur
- Runner-up
- Margaret Fox
- Final
- 2 & 1
- Losing semifinalists
- Marion Oliver and Elsie Cassatt
- Stroke-play medalist
- Beatrix Hoyt (97)
- Defending champion
- Beatrix Hoyt · lost in the round of 16
- Entries
- 78
What happened at the 1899 U.S. Women’s Amateur
Three-time defending champion and medalist Beatrix Hoyt lost her first match to Mrs. Caleb F. Fox, who putted far better on the day.
Dormie 4 down to Marion Oliver, Mrs. Caleb F. Fox won the last four holes and the 19th to reach the final.
Final, Ruth Underhill v. Mrs. Caleb F. Fox. Ruth Underhill, who had beaten Elsie Cassatt 5 and 4 after going out in 47, the best nine of the week, beat Mrs. Caleb F. Fox 2 and 1 in the final.
Semifinal, Mrs. Caleb F. Fox v. Marion Oliver. Dormie 4 down to Marion Oliver, Mrs. Caleb F. Fox won the last four holes and the 19th to reach the final.
Quarterfinal, Mrs. Caleb F. Fox v. Anna Sands. Mrs. Fox was 5 up at the turn on Anna Sands, was caught at the 18th and won at the 20th when Sands missed a one-foot putt.
Round of 16, Mrs. Caleb F. Fox v. Beatrix Hoyt. Three-time defending champion and medalist Beatrix Hoyt lost her first match to Mrs. Caleb F. Fox, who putted far better on the day.
The draw
Every match is recorded through the semifinal.
The final, 1899 U.S. Women’s Amateur
| Winner | Beaten | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth Underhill | def. | Margaret Fox | 2 & 1 |
Semifinals, 1899 U.S. Women’s Amateur
| Winner | Beaten | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Fox | def. | Marion Oliver | won on 19th hole |
| Ruth Underhill | def. | Elsie Cassatt | 5 & 4 |
Quarterfinals, 1899 U.S. Women’s Amateur
| Winner | Beaten | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Fox | def. | Anna Sands | won on 20th hole |
| Ruth Underhill | def. | Pauline Mackay | 3 & 2 |
| Elsie Cassatt | def. | Mrs. A. De Witt Cochrane | 7 & 6 |
Round of 16, 1899 U.S. Women’s Amateur
| Winner | Beaten | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Fox | def. | Beatrix Hoyt | unknown |
| Ruth Underhill | def. | Jane H. Swords | 3 & 2 |
| Elsie Cassatt | def. | Frances C. Griscom | 3 & 2 |
How this was built
Every value is shown as recorded in GNN's U.S. Women’s Amateur data set (research collected through October 20, 2026). "unknown" means no source confirmed it; nothing is estimated. Where sources disagree, the USGA's own record is used.
Data: us-womens-amateur.json.