THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, editor and director of content. Follow Rory to the US Open at Erin Hills, and on facebook, linkedin and twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the U.S. Open trophy at Gino’s East in Rosemont.

THE U.S. OPEN makes a rare Midwest appearance this June when it visits Erin Hills just Northwest of Milwaukee. Do you have your tickets yet, if not visit USGA.org/tickets.

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The Seventh Hole of the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, IL as seen on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016. (Courtesy USGA)

The USGA has announced that there will be 26 exemption categories for the inaugural U.S. Sr. Women’s Open, that will be contested from July 12-15 in 2018.

The U.S. Sr. Women’s Open is open to professionals or amateurs whose handicap index does not exceed 7.4 and have reached their 50th birthday by the first round of the championship on July 12th.

THE CENTENNIAL BOOK on the Chicago Golf Club.

The field will be 120 players, and exempt players who wish to compete must file and entry. Qualifying siteswill be announced in spring of 2018.

“Starting in summer fo 2018, the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open Championship will provide the game’s ultimate test for some of the most decorated women in golf, both professional and amateur,” said Stuart Francis, USGA Championship Committee Chariman. “Chicago Golf Club, one of the five founding member clubs of the USGA, will serve as a grand stage that will celebrate these incredible players who have paved the way for the current generation while continuing to elevate the game we all love.”

The clubhouse and MacDonald statue at the Chicago Golf Club.

There are several players who already fit the exemption criteria. They include three time U.S.Women Open champion Hollis Stacy, two-time champion Juli Inkster, Amy Alcott, Pat Bradley, Laura Davies, Meg Mallon and Liselotte Neumann. All past U.S Women’s Open Champions.

Any player in her first three years of age eligibility who has won the U.S. Women’s Amateur, the ANA Inspiration, Ricoh Women’s Open, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Evian Championship or the Ladies British Open Amateur, players exempt from this category are Dottie Pepper ANA Champion 1992-1999, Kay Cockerill 1986-1987 U.S. Amateur Women’s champion, and Pearl Sinn 1988 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion.

The Chicago Golf Club is celebrating it’s 125th anniversary this year, and will be in it’s 126th year during tournament week. The Pine Needles Resort in Southern Pines, North Carolina, will be the host of the 2019 U.S Sr. Women Open Championship. The 2020 site has not yet been announced.

For more information visit USGA.org and see the championships section.