It is the third oldest USGA championship, over a half century older than the U.S. Women's Open, which was first played in 1946.

The trophy was donated by Robert Cox of Edinburgh, Scotland, a member of the British Parliament and a golf course designer.

Along with a gold medal, a replica of the 2-foot-high (0.61 m) silver case of Etruscan design is given to the tournament winner.

In 1956, Ann Gregory became the first African American to compete in the Championship, held that year at the Meridian Hills Country Club in Indianapolis.

The 2006 winner Kimberly Kim was only 14 years old, breaking the record previously held by Laura Baugh.

It gives older amateur players an opportunity to compete among themselves for a national title; entrants must have a handicap index of 9.4 or less.

The USGA rates Glenna Collett Vare as the most noteworthy champion who won the Robert Cox Cup a record six times.

Several U.S. Women's Amateur champions who have gone on to become leading professionals including Patty Berg, Babe Zaharias, Louise Suggs and Beth Daniel.