Happy 2 - 0 - 1 - FORE!

Annual Business Meeting/Luncheon

Eastridge Country Club is this year's venue for our Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon on January 10, 2014, at 11:30am.  MARK YOUR CALENDAR.

You will register that morning and pay your $12 luncheon fee by cash or check made out to SWGA.  Please remember also to update any information that may be incorrect in our member directory at the time you register.  If you plan to have adult beverages, you can do so by using your credit card, but they will not accept cash/checks.

We have a fabulous buffet menu planned for the luncheon and will be welcoming new Officers to the SWGA Board.  Come out and enjoy lunch and some fun fellowship!  Contact your Club Rep. by January 7th, if you plan to attend.

" I wish I could play football....."

We don’t often get a chance to see GOOD news stories, so I want to share one with you.

On Sunday evening, November 24^th, my friend and our fellow golfer, Nancy Young, emailed me that she needed me to help with a “project”.  The timeline was short.  We would have to hurry.  This is the letter we put together and Nancy emailed to several LSU Sports managers Monday, November 25:

“I am on a mission: a “pay it forward” mission.  And I need your help.
 

“I am a teacher at Airline High School in Bossier City, LA, as well as owner of my own business to help place “special needs” people into productive vocations.  One of my students at Airline is a HUGE LSU football fan.  Her name is Abbie Browning.
 

“Abbie and her family have been season ticket holders for 15 years, in spite of the fact that Abbie has Cerebal Palsy, must use a power wheelchair, and has limited use of her arms.
 

“A few weeks ago, Coach Miles was in Bossier City visiting with a player from Parkway High School.  Abbie knew he had been here and started a conversation with me about how she wished SHE could play football so SHE could meet Coach Miles!  It is truly an item at the very top of her “bucket list”.
 

“Abbie will turn eighteen on November 29^th and will be at the LSU/Arkansas game.
 

“And this is where I need your help.  Is there ANY WAY that you know of where it could be arranged for Coach Miles to meet Abbie?  It would be the highlight of her life and something she would remember as long as she lives.”
 

Now we had to wait.  And then at about 5:00pm on Wednesday, November 27, just two days after the first email was sent, I got this simple and exciting text:  “WE DID IT!”  Nancy had gotten a response from the LSU Info Director that Coach Miles would be thrilled to meet with Abbie prior to the LSU/Arkansas game on Friday, November 29^th.  In just FOUR days, a dream became a reality.  This picture says it all:

Thank you Nancy for taking the time to TRY to do something that seemed un-do-able.  The world needs more Nancys!

 

Jingle Bell Scramble

 Jingle Bell....Jingle Bell....Jingle all the way!  And that's what we did today for the best Jingle Bell Scramble weather we can ever recall.  Thirty-four ladies golfed in perfect weather with fabulous fellowship and good food.

The joint effort of the SWGA and SSWGA was held December 3rd at Palmetto Country Club.  It was a bit scary for awhile, since the venue had to be changed from Northwood to Palmetto with just five days notice.  Palmetto came to our aid and fitted us into their schedule at the last moment and was able to provide a nice luncheon with very little notice.  THANK YOU PALMETTO!!!

Scores were pretty close, ranging from 66 to 73.  That 66 was shot by team Barbara Offer (BWGA), Cheryl Smith (WGAS), Hui Bordelon (FRLGA), and Vicki Cella (NHGC).  Congratulations ladies!

Please see the slideshow presentation for all the winners as well as all the players....in action.

Closest to the Pin winners were:
#3: Cathy Buckley (BWGA)
#7: Pat Rice (BWGA)
#11: Joanne McDonald (BWGA)
#14: Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC)
#17: Barbara Offer (BWGA)
Most Accurate Drive:  Pat Miller (BWGA)

The Jingle Bell Scramble was the final event of the 2013 season for both the SWGA and SSWGA.  The next event will be the annual SWGA Luncheon which will be held at Eastridge CC, on January 10, 2014, at 11:30am, with a cost of $12 for a great-sounding menu.  Please let your club rep know if you plan to attend.

SWGA/SSWGA Jingle Bell Tournament

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

The annual Jingle Bell Scramble that is usually held at Northwood Golf Club has been changed to Palmetto Country Club.  This change was caused because it was just announced about November 28th that Northwood will be closed effective December 1st.  Thank you, Palmetto, for accommodating us at the last minute!!!

Still have 10:00am shotgun start.  Lunch is potato bar, green salad, pasta salad, bread pudding, and tea/water for $11, including tax and gratuity. 

Please bring an unwrapped toy for TOYS FOR TOTS.

2013 SSWGA Turkey Shoot

 Indeed, it was a beautiful day at Stonebridge for the SSWGA annual Turkey Shoot 4-lady scramble held on Tuesday, November 19th.  Thirty-nine ladies bundled up and played a fun day of golf with friends from all seven member associations.  The course was in fabulous condition.  The greens looked like there had never been a frost yet!  And the newly completed sand traps are glistening white.  It will be really beautiful when they are all completed.

The First place winning team of Shirley Pettitt (BWGA), Betty Netherton (BWGA) and Joyce Middleton (ERCC) shot a really great 67.  This was the only team with only three players, so they rotated the fourth shot.  Congratulations ladies! 

The second place team shot 70 and the next three places shot 71, with final results determined by scorecard playoffs.  See the slideshow presentation for all the winners.

The next....and final....event of the season is the Jingle Bell Scramble that will be held at Northwood Golf Club on December 3rd, at 10:00am.  The Jingle Bell Scramble is a joint effort sponsored by the SWGA and SSWGA combined.  Please contact your club rep is you plan to attend and bring an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program.  See you there!

2013 SWGA Turkey Shoot

Forty bundled-up ladies converged on Palmetto Country Club on Thursday, November 7, to participate in the so-much-fun four-lady scramble.  Mid-forty temperatures didn't damper the spirits and the weather got better and better all day.  It was a great day of golf and friends and fun!

When the scores were tallied, Team Mary Jo Gray/Jerry Hobson/Jeanie Ward/Tommye Engelcke were the first place winners beating the closest contenders by three strokes.

Since we didn't have a leaderboard, I'll list the teams in the order they finished, starting with first place.  If you see teams with the same score, their positions were determined by scorecard playoff using the #1 handicap hole and proceeding to #2, etc.  We had to go through 5 holes to get a winner between the 4th and 5th place teams.

Gray/Hobson/Ward/Engelcke: 67
Cobb/Henson/Kruse/Ireland: 70
Cella/Graybiel/Farr/Wyche: 70
Leach/Gansfuss/Calhoun/Reasor: 71
Middleton/Litton/McDonald/Berry: 71
Buckley/Fisher/Gallagher/S. Rice: 72
Zey/H. Bordelon/Moore/C. Smith: 72
Leslie/McCoy/Snyder/Butterfield: 74
Utley/P. Ryan/Ihle/Morgan: 74
Magee/J. Smith/Heins/Brown: 76

2013 Road Runner Invitational

After a rocky…..or rather, rainy……start, the Road Runner Invitational finally became a reality on Tuesday, November 5, after being rained out the previous week.  It caused quite a bit a chaos with players, especially from out of town, but the field was full again when play started on Tuesday at Eastridge Country Club.

In spite of all the rain, the course was in good shape and the greens were as fast as usual.  The day was beautiful and everyone had a grand time.  This 2-lady scramble had mystery holes, a toss/throw/or roll option, and as always, Kevin was there to hit our ball over the #10 ditch on our second shots. 

However, we had a real exciting event this year that will be the talk of the tournament for years to come.  Player Sharon Sullivan hit her tee shot over the trees and OVER THE DITCH and landed either on the green or close to it.  It was awesome!

When all the scores were tallied, the Overall Low Gross Champs were Mary Lynn Stuart and Sherry Shields, both of Eastridge.  They shot a enviable 62 gross.  Congratulations ladies!  In addition, Mary Lynn captured the  Longest Drive in the First Flight. 

The overall Low Net Champs came out of the Second Flight.  Donna Cobb (BWGA) and Christina Parsons (ERCC) shot a gross score of 67, with a low net of 57!!!  Great playing ladies!

For full leaderboard results, see the slideshow presentation.

Women's Southern Senior Golf Championship

This year's 28th Annual WSGA Senior Championship was hosted at Ol' Colony Golf Course in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  The WSGA consists of 15 southern states and the District of Columbia, ranging from Texas to DC.  The 100+ players came from 13 of those states to play this prestigious stroke-play tournament on October 29-31.  This is as close as it gets to a professional tournament!

Two of that full field of participants were our own SWGA ladies: Debbie Magee and Mary Jo Gray, both of Stonebridge.

And even better than that, one of those two was a big winner.  Debbie won 1st place in the Fifth Flight with a three-day total gross score of 284.  Mary Joy was sixth in that flight with a score of 297.  Great playing girls!

Next year's Senior tournament will be at River Hills Country Club in Kerrville, TX, just about 7 1/2 hours from Shreveport. 

5th Annual Barbara Fay White Cup

"You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing."  Arthur Ashe

And that is exactly what fifty-two ladies did on October 22 and 24 at the 5th Annual Barbara Fay White Cup Team Matches competition held at Palmetto Country Club.

With really cool temps at tee off times, both days turned into beautiful, picture-perfect golfing days for the twenty-four two-lady teams.

As a tribute to the several ladies in our clubs that have battled/are battling cancer, all the ladies wore pink headgear.  Our hearts and prayers go out to those special ladies not only in our golfing group, but all over the world, who are going through this dreaded experience and are conquering or have survived it.

The format of the tournament was a two-lady scramble on both days, with the East (Blue) team vs the West (Green) team.  Each two-lady team was handicapped, but the teams were so closely matched that handicap never came into play in determining the winner of any match.

After Day 1, the teams were tied 6 to 6 and Day 2 was just as tightly played.  But when all was said and done, the West Team won 6 1/2 points on Day 2 while the East Team won only 5 1/2 points, for a grand total of 12 1/2 points to 11 1/2 points.  NOW THAT'S CLOSE!  The West Team retained its title from last year, totaling three wins in the five competitions of the BFW Cup Championships.

It was a great two-day event and we're already looking forward to next year.  Time and place will be determined after the first of the year.
 

LWGA State Senior Championship

Beautiful Bayou DeSiard Country Club was the site of the 2013 State Senior Championship.  Unfortunately, only forty-seven ladies participated in this event that had absolutely beautiful weather.  Mornings were a bit chilly, but it soon warmed up to perfect.

Seven of our local ladies made the trip to Monroe and played in the two-day event on October 7 and 8.  Two of our seven came back as award winners:  Mary Lynn Stuart won 3rd Gross in the first flight and Donna Cobb won 1st Gross in the second flight.  But everyone was a winner, because we had a GRAND time!

Next year's Senior Championship will be held in Kenner, LA, just northwest of New Orleans, at the Chateau Country Club on March 16-18, 2014.  If you are 50+ years young, then you are eligible to play in this stroke play event.

2013 SWGA Championship

Beautiful weather, beautiful facility, beautiful course.  What could be better?  Not one thing!  It was a great championship!

Thirty-five ladies vied for championship honors on September 25 and 26 at Southern Trace Country Club, with Mary Lynn Stuart, of EastRidge CC rising to the top on the second day to win the Championship with scores of 83 and 78.

Mary Lynn was two strokes behind the first day Medalist Lillian Granger of Southern Trace who shot a really nice 81, but came back with that outstanding 78 to edge out Lillian by just 3 strokes.  Good playing, ladies!

The Net Medalist for the first day was Suzanne Patton of Querbes with a net score of 70 which lead her right to the top for the Overall Low Net Champion with net scores of 70 and 69.  Suzanne is a rookie in SWGA and has just this year become very active in tournament play.  Congratulations Suzanne!

Chef Danny, as usual, did an outstanding job with the awards luncheon.  Just check out the picture in the slideshow!

And we send out thanks to Jimmy Granger who generously furnished the best tasting cold apples, and to Lillian Granger and Kathy Davis for their work in putting this event together.

Overall Gross Champion
Mary Lynn Stuart (ERCC): 83/78

Overall Low Net Champion
Suzanne Patton (BWGA): 70/69

Day One Low Gross Medalist
Lillian Granger (STCC) 81

Day One Low Net Medalist
Suzanne Patton (BWGA) 70

Overall Low Putts (2 days combined)
Joanne McDonald (BWGA)

Championship Flight
1st Gross: Lillian Granger (STCC) 81/83
2nd Gross: Teri McGuire (WGAS) 84/95
1st Net: Kathy Davis (STCC) 74/71
2nd Net: Debbie Magee (WGAS) 84/80

First Flight
1st Gross: Shirley Pettitt (BWGA) 91/90
2nd Gross: Donna Cobb (BWGA) 95/96
1st Net: Mary Coker (STCC) 74/74
2nd Net: Martha Lawhorne (BWGA) 81/72

Second Flight
1st Gross: Cathy McDonald (BWGA) 93/95
2nd Gross: Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) 103/91
1st Net: Margo Myatt (ERCC) 79/69
2nd Net: Jeanie Ward (PCC) 80/80

Third Flight
1st Gross: Joanne McDonald (BWGA) 100/99
2nd Gross: Bobbie Jo Almond (PCC) 102/104
1st Net: Vien Wheeler (STCC) 73/71
2nd Net: Grace Ireland (PCC) 80/77

Closest to the Pin
Mary Coker (STCC) and Mary Moore (FRLGA)

Most Accurate Drive
Hui Bordelon (FRLGA)

Longest Drive
Teri McGuire (WGAS)

Next year's SWGA Championship will be hosted by the Broadmoor Assn. at Querbes and by that time, there will be a brand-spanking new clubhouse and pro shop!

Twice as Nice Tournament

Texarkana Country Club hosted its Twice as Nice tournament on September 11 and 12.  One hundred ladies participated in the two-day event with a best-ball format the first day and scramble the second day. 

Ten of our Shreveport area ladies made the trip north to Texarkana, AR, and six of them came back as winners.  Mary Lynn Stuart and Connie Pharis (both of ERCC) won 2nd Low Gross in the Championship Flight with their nice scores of 79/72.  In the First Flight, Debbie Magee and Kim Darnell (both of WGAS) won Low Gross with scores of 80/78.  And in the Second Flight, Donna Cobb and Martha Lawhorne (both of BWGA) won Low Gross with scores of 90/76.  Great playing, ladies!

This is truly an all-inclusive tournament.  The entry fee included a welcome party; two full, hot breakfasts; and two wonderful lunches.  For an additional $20, if you had the energy to do it, there was also a team shoot-out over four holes.  Debbie Magee and Kim Darnell made it to the third hole where they were eliminated by a chip-off.  Good going girls!

Squire Creek Invitational

One hundred ladies met at Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, LA, on September 12th to compete in the annual invitational.  The two-lady scramble format is always loads of fun and this one was no different. 

Ladies from our Shreveport area associations accounted for about twenty of the players, and eight of those were winners.

With the low gross score of the day, Kathy Davis (STCC) and Amy Johnson shot a really nice 65 in the Championship Flight.  In the First Flight, Lillian Granger (STCC) and Lisa Russell won low gross with their 72.  Becky Hollier and Jane Smith (both of WGAS) won 2nd Net in the Third Flight with their net score of 71.  In the Fourth Flight, Mary Moore and Mary Gallagher, (both FRLGA) won 2nd low net with a net score of 71.  And in the Fifth Flight, Pat Strother (STCC) and Tina Doggett won low net with a really great 66.  And after a bit of confusion, Judy Pratt and Susan Wright were also awarded 1st Low net in the Fifth Flight.  (Mistakes happen!)

And for a little icing on the cake, Marianne Leslie (WGAS) had a hole-in-one on Hole #12!

Congratulations, ladies!

SSWGA Playday Querbes

Only twenty ladies braved the heat to play the SSWGA Playday at Querbes today on what turned out to be a rather pleasant day, with low humidity and a gentle breeze.

The overall low gross score of the day came out of the second flight with Martha Lawhorne (BWGA) shooting a really nice 87, followed by Moise Allen (STCC) with an 88.  Overall low net for the day, not counting Martha's 69, was Kyong Lee's (BWGA) 70.  Overall low putts was 30 putts by both Martha Lawhorne and Tommye Engelcke (BWGA).

FIRST FLIGHT
Low Gross: Moise Allen (STCC) 88
Low Net: Donna Cobb (BWGA) 73
Low Putts: (tie) Teri McGuire (WGAS)/Dot Henson (WGAS) 33

SECOND FLIGHT
Low Gross: Martha Lawhorne (BWGA) 87
Low Net: Robbie Fisher (BWGA) 72
Low Putts: Joanne McDonald (BWGA) 32

THIRD FLIGHT
Low Gross: Kyong Lee (BWGA) 93
Low Net: Tommye Engelcke (BWGA) 74
Low Putts:  Pat Rice (BWGA) 31

Chip/Putt-ins:
Carmen Leach (FRLGA)
Dot Henson (WGAS)
Tommye Engelcke (BWGA)

SWGA Playday at Southern Trace

This was the largest group of ladies we've had for our 2013 playdays this year with 51 ladies signing up to brave the heat and play their practice round for the 2013 SWGA Championship.  And it WAS hot!  And the course WAS beautiful with super-fast greens.  For those of you who like "numbers", the AVERAGE number of putts was 36.4!

And speaking of putts, Overall Low Putts for the day (and bringing down our total average putts) was Suzanne Tinsley (WGAS), for the second week in a row, with an amazing 28 putts!  I need a putter like hers!  Right on Suzanne's heels for putting prowess was Kathy Davis (STCC) with 29 putts.  Great putting, ladies!

Overall low gross for the day was a fabulous 78 shot by Mary Lynn Stuart (ERCC), followed closely by Suzanne Tinsley with a great 81.  Overall low net score was a 69, again by Suzanne Tinsley (maybe it's not just her PUTTER, huh?) Second low net was Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) with a really nice 70.
 
FIRST FLIGHT
Low Gross: Mary Lynn Stuart (ERCC) 78
Low Net:  Suzanne Tinsley 69
2nd Gross: Kathy Davis (STCC) 84
2nd Net: (tie) Lillian Granger (STCC)/Marianne Leslie (WGAS) 75
Low Putts: Suzanne Tinsley 28

SECOND FLIGHT
Low Gross: Moise Allen (STCC) 92
Low Net: Robbie Fisher (BWGA) 71
2nd Gross: Jimmie Zey (PCC) 93
2nd Net: Kathryn Salpietra (STCC) 79
Low Putts: (tie) Robbie Fisher/Kathryn Salpietra 33

THIRD FLIGHT
Low Gross: Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) 91
Low Net: Jane Smith (WGAS) 74
2nd Gross: (tie) Cathy McDonald (BWGA)/Mary Gallagher (FRLGA) 95
2nd Net: Hui Bordelon (FRLGA) 78
Low Putts: Cathy McDonald 30

FOURTH FLIGHT
Low Gross: Kathleen McCoy (BWGA) 95
Low Net: Margo Myatt (STCC) 77
2nd Gross: (tie) Mary Moore (FRLGA)/Kyong Lee (BWGA) 104
2nd Net: Cheryl Smith (WGAS) 85
Low Putts: Mary Moore 34

FIFTH FLIGHT
Low Gross: Martha Bordelon (ERCC) 104
Low Net: Pat Strother (STCC) 78
2nd Gross: Bobbie Almond (PCC) 105
2nd Net: Vien Wheeler (STCC) 79
Low Putts: Pat Strother 34

Our next SWGA outing is our Annual Championship held this year at Southern Trace on September 25-26.  There is an entry form here  if you don't have one already.  Please get your forms in asap so that the committee can make their plans accordingly.

Mystic Creek Golf Club

For the 99.9% of you who have never heard of this course, I wanted to share a little information about this "gem" of a course located in El Dorado, AR, just two hours from downtown Shreveport and due north of Ruston. 

We heard about the course from a golfing buddy who recommended it highly, and he was right.  It's still a "work in progress".  As we neared what the GPS told us was our turn to the course, all there was to indicate a golf course was a sign that said "Golf Course" and an arrow pointing down a dirt road.  Hmmmm.  Not looking so great.

We turned down the dirt road and then into a big, concrete parking lot with large planting areas that were unplanted and a tiny white metal building, seemingly lost in the expanse of space.  And we're thinking "are we REALLY fixing to pay $75 to play THIS?"  And then we topped the hill and saw the course....

IT IS BEAUTIFUL!  There isn't a flat spot on the course except for the six sets of tee boxes on every hole.  The distances range from 5100 yards to 7400 yards (yikes).  The course just opened in May, but instead of seeding it for the grass, it was totally sodded from the beginning.  Looks like it's been there for years.  And it IS challenging with the rolling terrain.  To check out their site, click here. 

Right now, the price to play is $75, no matter what time of day, how old you are, or what day of the week it is.  It includes range balls and lots of practice areas, including sand trap practice.  The only break in price is if you get a group together and it can come down to $50 if you have twenty.

When this place is finished, it's going to be fabulous.  If you want to make a short "day trip" for some exciting golf, take a little trip up to El Dorado, Ar.  It will be beautiful in the Fall!

Solheim Cup Trip

Just for fun, I wanted to include a slideshow of our recent adventures to Parker, CO, and the Solheim Cup.  As it turned out, five of us local ladies were there: Jimmie Zey, Cathy Morgan, Martha Lawhorne, Donna Cobb, and me, Kathleen McCoy.  Martha and I were able to squeeze in a round of golf at one of the most beautiful courses in that area: Arrowhead Golf Course, so you will see pictures of both the golf course where we played, complete with wildlife, as well as the Solheim adventure.  I hope you enjoy them.  Remember to click on any picture and the presentation will be larger.

SWGA Playday Querbes

Forty ladies got the opportunity to see our new clubhouse under construction at Querbes on Thursday, August 22.  Was it hot?  You bet!  But everyone finished and there were some great scores posted.  The course was in great shape for us and we are thankful to Pro Pete Lockwood and his staff for making it a pleasing experience in spite of the lack of a clubhouse.

The overall low gross for the day was a whopping 79 shot by Events Chairperson Suzanne Tinsley (WGAS).  And her overall low putts of 28 helped her achieve that low score!  Following closely behind Suzanne was Teri McGuire (WGAS) and Shirley Pettitt (BWGA), both with a really nice 83.  Other than those already mentioned for low gross, the overall low net score was 69, shared by Hui Bordelon (FRLGA) and Linda Colvin (PCC).

FIRST FLIGHT
Low Gross: Suzanne Tinsley (WGAS) 79
Low Net: Shirley Pettitt (BWGA) 70
2nd Low Gross: Teri McGuire (WGAS) 83
2nd Low Net: (tie) Donna Cobb (BWGA)/Carmen Leach (FRLGA) 73
Low Putts:  Suzanne Tinsley  28

SECOND FLIGHT
Low Gross: (tie) Hui Bordelon (FRLGA)/Linda Colvin (PCC) 88
Low Net: Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) 71
2nd Low Gross: Dot Henson (WGAS) 93
2nd Low Net: Mary Gallagher (FRLGA) 76
Low Putts: Linda Colvin (PCC) 29

THIRD FLIGHT
Low Gross: Billie Jean Reasor (FRLGA) 90
Low Net: Kathleen McCoy (BWGA) 72
2nd Low Gross: Margo Myatt ((STCC) 95
2nd Low Net: Mary Moore (FRLGA) 75
Low Putts: (tie) Phyllis Graybiel (NHGC)/Kathleen McCoy 30

FOURTH FLIGHT
Low Gross: (tie) Kyong Lee (BWGA)/Bobbie Almond (PCC) 95
Low Net: Pam Brown (BWGA) 71
2nd Low Gross: (tie) Grace Ireland (PCC)/Dot Mullin (ERCC) 99
2nd Low Net: Tommy Englecke (BWGA) 74
Low Putts: Vien Wheeler (STCC) 30

Chip-in for Par: Jill Litton (NHGC)
Chip-in for Birdie: Billie Jean Reasor (FRLGA)
Chip-in for Par: Kyong Lee (BWGA)
Chip-in for Par: Leu Wilder (ERCC)
Chip-in for Par: Myra Corby (ERCC)

The next SWGA play day is just ONE WEEK AWAY on August 29th at Southern Trace.  Not only is this the Southern Trace playday, but it is also the practice round for the SWGA Championship at that course on September 25 and 26.  Please get your entry forms and money in to Kathy Davis at Southern Trace as soon as possible so that they can start finalizing numbers.  Also, please contact your club rep ASAP to let her know if you will be playing on August 29th.  She needs those names right away.

Also, for those of you in the SSWGA, in just two weeks on September 5, Querbes will be hosting the playday for that group also, so notify your club rep if you plan to play.

ONE LAST NOTE:  Don't forget to post your scores from today's TOURNAMENT.

SSWGA Play at Fox Run

If ever a person appreciated a breeze, it was the twenty-four ladies who tolerated the 100 degree heat on Thursday, August 8, at the playday at Fox Run.

Low Gross score of the day was 82 by Carmen Leach (FRLGA), while low overall net score was 69 by Kathryn Salpietra (STCC), who also had overall low putts of 29.

FIRST FLIGHT
Low Gross: Carmen Leach (FRLGA) 82
Low Net: Vicki Cella (NHGC) 73
Low Putts: Joyce Middleton (ERCC) 31

SECOND FLIGHT
Low Gross: Cathy Buckley (BWGA) 85
Low Net: Kathryn Salpietra (STCC) 69
Low Putts (tie): Marge Snyder (NHGC)/Robbie Fisher (BWGA) 32

THIRD FLIGHT
Low Gross: Joanne McDonald (BWGA) 96
Low Net: Kyong Lee (BWGA) 71
Low Putts: Pam Crews (NHGC) 32

Chip/Putt-ins:  Kathryn Salpietra and Joanne McDonald

The next SSWGA event will be September 5th at Querbes with an 8:30am shotgun.  The new clubhouse is under construction, but the course is in the best shape it's been in for years!  Greens are great!  And we're getting a $20 fee this year.

SWGA Annual Championship

Southern Trace CC is the site of this year's 80th SWGA Championship to be held on September 25-26.  The deadline for the $80 entry fee is September 13, with refund deadline September 18th.  For more information and entry form, Click Here.  Entry fee must be mailed to Kathy Davis.

The practice round for the championship will be our playday on August 29th at STCC, with a 9:00am shotgun.  Please notify your Club Rep if you plan to play that practice round.

LWGA Best Ball Championship

The Contraband Golf Club at Lake Charles was the home of the 2013 Best Ball Championship of the Louisiana Women's Golf Association.  Forty-four 2-lady teams competed in the two-day tournament July 29-30, with a practice round and welcome party the day prior.  Fourteen of those eighty-eight ladies were from our Shreveport area clubs.

The overall low gross winners were Kie McNabb and Julie Harrison, shooting rounds of 66 and 67.  Right on their heels were Lana Hodge and Haley Harrington who shot back-to-back 67's.  Great playing, ladies!

Of our fourteen players, we had four winning teams: 

 

FIRST FLIGHT: Kathy Davis (STCC) and Amy Johnson, 2nd Low Net: 123.6

 

SECOND FLIGHT: Shirley Pettitt and Kathleen McCoy (both BWGA), 1st Low Net: 123.2

 

THIRD FLIGHT: Donna Cobb and Martha Lawhorne (both BWGA), 1st Low Gross: 163

 

THIRD FLIGHT: Suzanne Patton (BWGA) and Beverly Thibodeaux, 1st Low Net: 116.8

 

The next LWGA event is the Senior Championship which will be held at Bayou D'Saird in Monroe, LA, on October 6-8.  Click here to go to the LWGA site for entry form and more information regarding the next event. 

SWGA Playday StoneBridge

Thank God for a little wind today, July 23rd, at Stonebridge where thirty-three ladies endured the tremendous heat to play in this playday that was rescheduled from the Spring when it was rained out.

The overall low score of the day was a fabulous 76 shot by Stonebridge member Teri McGuire, followed by Mary Jo Gray, also of Stonebridge, with a very nice 83.  The overall low net was another Stonebridge gal, Becky Hollier with a really great 63, followed by Mary Coker (STCC) with a 67.  Putting champs for the day were Paulette Lee and Becky Hollier, both of Stonebridge, with just 31 putts on really fast greens.

FIRST FLIGHT
1st Gross:  Teri McGuire - 76
1st Net: Vicki Cella (NHGC) -70
2nd Gross (tie): Kathy Davis (STCC)/Suzanne Tinsley (WGAS) - 87
2nd Net: Debbie Magee (WGAS) - 73
Putts: Teri McGuire - 32

SECOND FLIGHT
1st Gross: Mary Jo Gray -  83
1st Net: Mary Coker - 67
2nd Gross (tie) Paulette Lee/Joyce Middleton (ERCC) - 92
2nd Net: Jill Litton (NHGC) - 72
Putts: Paulette Lee - 31

THIRD FLIGHT
1st Gross: Phyllis Ryan (ERCC) - 94
1st Net: Martha Lawhorne (BWGA) - 71
2nd Gross: Marge Snyder (NHGC) - 95
2nd Net: Joan Day (FRLGA) - 75
Putts: Phyllis Ryan - 32

FOURTH FLIGHT
1st Gross: Becky Hollier - 89
1st Net: Bobbie Almond (PCC) - 70
2nd Gross: Grace Ireland (PCC) - 100
2nd Net: Julie Butterfield (FRLGA) - 73
Putts: Becky Hollier - 31

Red Hot Chili Pepper

I'm a tad bit late in posting this story, but I did want to be sure it got included in our News Site.

On June 3rd, the Natchitoches CC hosted its annual Red Hot Chili Pepper ladies tournament and we had two teams from our area that participated.....Donna Cobb/Martha Lawhorne and Kim Darnell/Debbie Magee.  Donna and Martha won 1st Gross in the Second Flight. 

The prizes for this tournament are Brighton Bucks and there are a gazillion Brighton items to choose from if you win some of those "bucks".  It's always a great shopping adventure.

This is a really fun tournament, consisting of 27 holes of play:  Best Ball/Alternate Shot/Scramble.  After the first nine holes of Best Ball, everyone stops for lunch and the teams are flighted for the remaining 18 holes.  The Natchitoches group really make you feel special and put on a great tournament.

SSWGA Championship

Palmetto Country Club hosted the 2013 SSWGA Championship on July 16-17 for twenty-nine senior ladies who were all winners....simply by enduring the high temp and humidity for two days!  The course was great and the hospitality even greater. 

The first day Medalist award started with a tie between Teri McGuire (WGAS) and Debbie Magee (WGAS) with a score of 83.  After a scorecard playoff, Debbie took the award.  But that's okay, because Teri ended up duplicating the 83 score on the second day to take Championship Honors.

In addition to the Overall Champion and Medalist noted above, these are the other winners:

FIRST FLIGHT
1st Gross: Mary Jo (the fisherlady) Gray (WGAS) 84/89
1st Net: Paulette Lee (defending champion) (WGAS) 71/73
2nd Gross: Moise Allen (STCC) 91/86
2nd Net: Joyce Middleton (ERCC) 70/75

SECOND FLIGHT
1st Gross: Robbie Fisher (BWGA) 87/90
1st Net: Kathleen McCoy (BWGA) 76/67
2nd Gross: Mary Coker (STCC) 88/92
2nd Net: Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) 68/77

THIRD FLIGHT
1st Gross: Kyong Lee (BWGA) 97/95
1st Net: Pat Rice (BWGA) 70/72
2nd Gross: Grace Ireland (PCC) 98/99
2nd Net: Pat Miller (BWGA) 74/73

Most accurate drive:  Grace Ireland
Closest to the Pin:  Jimmie Zey (PCC), Donna Cobb (BWGA), Vicki Cella (NHGC), Moise Allen, Robbie Fisher

The Championship was a tremendous success and we want to extend a heartfelt "thanks" to the staff of Palmetto CC and Linda Colvin who coordinated the event.

The Frenchman's Bend LGA hosted its Bayou Belle Classic 4-lady scramble on Friday, July 12th.  Unfortunately, there wasn't a large turn-out for this outstanding tournament.  Only eleven teams participated this year, and only one of those teams were from our local area.

If you've never played this event, you really need to plan to play next year.  The ladies and their gents really go out of their way to put on a player-friendly tournament.  You are treated "special" and the amenities are terrific.  On both the front and back nine, the fellas have bbq stations set up where you can get a quick snack while playing, and another one of the guys drives through the course continuously supplying drinks and ice free of charge.  They know how to take care of their guests!  And the course was in great condition for us.

Our team didn't win anything with our score of 67, but we had a great time.  Put this one on your list for next year!

SSWGA Palmetto Playday

IT'S SSWGA CHAMPIONSHIP TIME AGAIN!!!!

And the playday/practice round was held at Palmetto on July 11th.  Although we had to play amidst light and and heavy rain, it was a fun day, with the rain keeping us "cool".  The course was in great shape and there were some very good scores posted.  Twenty-nine ladies endured the weather and enjoyed the day.  This playday was also in preparation for the SSWGA Championship to be held at Palmetto on July 16-17.

The low gross of the day was an 81 by Mary Jo Gray (WGAS), followed by a close pair of 83's by Carmen Leach (FRLGA) and Joyce Middleton (ERCC).  Joyce and Mary Jo both had 66's for the low net of the day.  The greens rolled really fast and true, but that was a plus for Mary Coker (STCC) who took low putts with a 28, followed by Marge Snyder (NHGC) with 29.  And there were an unusual amount of chip/putt-ins with a total of seven.

FIRST FLIGHT
Low Gross - Mary Jo Gray - 81
Low Net - Carmen Leach - 68
Low Putts - Shirley Pettitt (BWGA) 32

SECOND FLIGHT
Low Gross - Joyce Middleton - 83
Low Net (tie) - Mary Coker and Marge Snyder - 68
Low Putts - Paulette Lee (WGAS) - 30

THIRD FLIGHT
Low Gross - Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) 92
Low Net - Kyong Lee (BWGA) - 70
Low Putts (tie) - Theresa Kruse (PCC), Kathleen McCoy (BWGA), Cheryl Smith (WGAS) 35

FOURTH FLIGHT
Low Gross - Joanne McDonald (BWGA) 95
Low Net - Donna Ihle (WGAS) 73
Low Putts - Susan Berry (NHGC) 32

Chip/Putt-ins:  Shirley Pettitt (2), Pat Miller (BWGA), Moise Allen (STCC), Kathleen McCoy, Mary Jo Gray, Grace Ireland (PCC)

Congratulations to all!  And good luck at the Championship.

SWGA Fox Run Playday

It was hot!  The course was challenging.  It was hot!  There were lots of lost balls.  The hospitality of great.  And did I mention....it was hot!

But thirty-one ladies endured the heat, a number of whom were injured or dealing with medical treatments of some sort.  So as far as I'm concerned, everyone was a winner!!!  Thanks to Mary Moore for coordinating everything at the course and completing score cards so that no one had to do their own.

The overall low gross of the day was a 79 shot by Mary Lynn Stuart (ERCC) and the low net was a 65, by Martha Lawhorne (BWGA).   Phyllis Graybiel took low putts honors with a 28, in spite of recently aerated greens.  Good golfing, ladies.

And the results were:

FIRST FLIGHT
Low Gross: Mary Lynn Stuart (ERCC) 79
Low Net: Carmen Leach (FRLGA) 67
2nd Gross: Shirley Pettitt (BWGA) 83 (with broken foot)
2nd Net: Joyce Middleton (ERCC) 68
Low Putts: (3-way tie) Carmen Leach, Nancy Young (BWGA), Cathy Buckley (BWGA) 32

SECOND FLIGHT
Low Gross: (3-way tie): Mary Coker (STCC), Jill Litton (NHGC), Mary Gallagher (FRLGA) 89
Low Net: Jeanie Ward (PCC) 74
2nd Gross: Vicki Cella (NHGC) 92
2nd Net: (tie) Donna Cobb (BWGA), Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) 75
Low Putts: Marge Snyder (NHGC) 30

THIRD FLIGHT
Low Gross: Martha Lawhorne (BWGA) 88
Low Net: Phyllis Ryan (ERCC) 71
2nd Gross: Kathleen McCoy (BWGA) 96
2nd Net: Phyllis Graybiel (NHGC) 72
Low Putts: Phyllis Graybiel 28

FOURTH FLIGHT
Low Gross: Melissa Brenner (NHGC) 95
Low Net: Bobbie Almond (PCC) 75
2nd Gross: (tie) Pam Crews (NHGC), Julie Butterfield (FRLGA) 105
2nd Net: Myra Corby (ERCC) 77
Low Putts: Donna Ihle (WGAS) 30

Chip/Putt-ins:  Phyllis Ryan

Nikki Patterson Invitational

Again today, June 26, we paid tribute to a great golfer and friend Nikki Patterson in the form of her very own Invitational tournament held at The Golf Club and Stonebridge.  A full field of 128 ladies participated in this year's tournament, in spite of some really, really hot weather. 

The course was in wonderful condition and the Stonebridge hospitality and food was outstanding.  There are always little "problems" that sprout up behind the scenes, but no one would ever know it if there were.

There was a raffle with really nice prices and all the monies went to the National Cancer Society, since Nikki was a victim of this horrible disease.

This year the committee decided to flight the teams after play, using no handicaps, so if you heard that you had a lower score than one of the winning teams, it just wasn't your day and you fell into a different flight.  You can see the leaderboard results in the slideshow presentation below.

The best score shot was an outstanding 59 by Team Edwards/McKey/Berken/Fossett, followed by a 60 and 61 for second and third place in the First Flight.  The highest score shot was 76, just four strokes over par, so it was a great golfing day for everyone.

Bayou D'Siard Golf Classic

A relentless group of ladies showed up to play in the Bayou De'Siard Ladies Golf Classic on June 19 at Monroe, after a gazillion inches of rain fell the day and evening before.  Yep, it was wet, hot, humid and cart paths only....but it was fun.  And in spite of the weather, the course was in FABULOUS condition!!!

This was a 2-lady scramble format and the Shreveport area ladies took four teams to Monroe.  Unfortunately, we only had one winning team, and that was Martha Lawhorne and Donna Cobb, both of BWGA.  Congratulations girls!

Nikki Patterson Invitational

The Nikki Tournament is fast approaching with a practice round on June 25 and the scramble on June 26th at Stonebridge Country Club.  There are a few spots left, so get your entry form in the mail ASAP.  In addition, there are several ladies that don't have a full team and would like to play, so if you need help filling a team, contact Linda Heins or Paulette Lee.  For all the information and entry form, see an older post in this column on April 17th.

SSWGA Playday EastRidge

On the hottest day of the year so far, the SSWGA playday was held at EastRidge CC on Thursday, May 23.  There were 30-ish ladies playing and the course was in beautiful condition....as usual.  Overall low gross score for the day was 83 by Debbie Magee, overall low net was 65 by Gayle Gansfuss, and overall low putts was a nice 29 by Cheryl Smith.

Now let's get right to the winners....

 

FIRST FLIGHT

Low Gross:  Debbie Magee (WGAS) 83

Low Net: Robbie Fisher (BWGA) 68

Low Putts: Joyce Middleton (ERCC) 33

 

SECOND FLIGHT

Low Gross: Donna Cobb (BWGA) 86

Low Net: Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) 65

Low Putts:  Kathleen McCoy (BWGA) 30

 

THIRD FLIGHT

Low Gross:  Grace Ireland (PCC) 94

Low Net:  Charlotte Calhoun (ERCC) 72

Low Putts:  Cheryl Smith (WGAS) 29

 

Chip/putt-ins:  Debbie Magee, Marge Snyder, Martha Lawhorne, Kathleen McCoy

 

The next SSWGA event is on June 18th at Northwood Hills Golf Club with 9:00am shotgun.





La Di Da Best Ball

I realize this is a tad bit late, but wanted to share the info in spite of that.  The La Di Da Tournament held in Lufkin, TX at Crown Colony CC is a really nice tournament that our gals starting travelling to in 2011.  This year we had two 4-lady teams that particpated.

The format is a little different in that you take the TWO best gross scores of the group as well as the TWO best net scores and these are added together for the two separate awards at the end of the tourney.

This year, Team Granger/Tinsley/Gray/Magee won 1st low net in their first flight....only ONE stroke short of taking the overall low net for the field!!!!  Too bad, because that would have gotten their names on the beautiful La Di Da trophy.  It's always great to have our local girls make their "mark" on an out of town tournament!

The other four players were Team Colvin/Zey/Snyder/McCoy and we can only say that we didn't win anything, but we got our money's worth!!!

SWGA Playday Northwood GC

This post will be fairly direct, as I was unable to attend the Northwood Playday on May 21st. But I do have the list of winners:

FIRST FLIGHT
Low Gross: (tie) Mary Jo Gray/Teri McGuire(WGAS) 83
Low Net: Cathy Buckley (BWGA) 72
2nd Gross: Debbie Magee (WGAS) 88
2nd Net: Suzanne Tinsley (WGAS) 79
Low Putts: Debbie Magee 30

SECOND FLIGHT
Low Gross: Joyce Middleton (ERCC) 85
Low Net: Robbie Fisher (BWGA) 67
2nd Gross: Donna Cobb (BWGA) 87
2nd Net: Jill Litton (NHGC) 74
Low Putts: Joyce Middleton 27

THIRD FLIGHT
Low Gross: Marge Snyder (NHGC) 89
Low Net: Joan Day (FRLGA) 69
2nd Gross: Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) 92
2nd Net: (tie) Hui Bordelon (FRLGA)/Phyllis Ryan (ERCC) 74
Low Putts: (tie) Marge Snyder/Phyllis Ryan 31

FOURTH FLIGHT
Low Gross: Phyllis Graybiel (NHGC) 89
Low Net: Charlotte Calhoun ((ERCC) 68 (Go, Girl!)
2nd Gross: Jeanette Bohringer (BWGA) 94
2nd Net: Donna Ihle (WGAS) 70
Low Putts: Phyllis Graybiel 28

The highlight of the day was Donna Cobb's Eagle on the Par 5 eighteenth hole.  From her great drive, she hit a 160+ yard second shot onto the green and made the putt.  Great job, Donna!

The next SWGA Playday is at Fox Run on June 6th, and because there must be a list of players entering the facility, you must sign up well in advance if you intend to play.  If you don't enter the base with a lady who has military ID, you must provide (when you sign up) your Date of Birth, last four digits of your SSN, and your Driver's License Number.  Contact your Club Rep by AT LEAST June 1st. 

Special Olympics Golf Tournament

If you are looking for a good charity golf event, the NW Louisiana Special Olympics is hosting its 7th Annual 4-person scramble tournament on Monday, June 3rd, at Palmetto Country Club in Benton, LA. There will be two shotgun starts: 8:00am and 1:00pm for your convenience. The $100 per person entry fee includes lunch, door prizes, and awards. Click here for more info and entry form.

Southern Belle

I know how late this is, however, my camera disc broke during the tournament and I've been scrambling to try to find pictures.  Still haven't gotten the ones of all the winners, but maybe they will show up later and I can add them to the slideshow.

It was a great tournament as usual and the ladies love the format that's been used the last two years now: one day of practice and one day of tournament.  Tee gifts couldn't get any better.  This year it was Nike golf shoes that were so comfortable we wore ours on the first day of the tournament!

The putting contest was a fun event again and the winners were Robbie Fisher and Tommye Englecke, both of BWGA. 

The overall Gross winners were Kathy Davis (STCC) and Amy Johnson with a nice score of 68, while the overall low Net winners was the team of Constant/Williams with a net of 62.5.  There are pictures of the leaderboards in the slide show presentation and that will give you all the winners.

We're already looking forward to next year!

SSWGA Championship

The 2013 SSWGA Championship is being hosted at Palmetto Country Club this year on July 16 and 17.  The $90 entry fee includes both days of golf and cart, light breakfast, awards luncheon and prizes.  Get this on your calendar and send in your entry form as soon as you know you can play.

Click Here for more information and entry form.

SSWGA Playday Southern Trace CC

Beautiful day....beautiful course.  That was the SSWGA playday on Tuesday, April 23, at Southern Trace.  Twenty-seven ladies enjoyed the picture-perfect day and fabulous course conditions for this playday. 

Low Gross for the day was an 87 by Robbie Fisher (BWGA) and Low Net was a 70, shot by Cheryl Smith (WGAS).  Low putts for the day was 32 by Paulette Lee (WGAS).

First Flight
Low Gross:  Moise Allen (STCC) 89
Low Net: Mary Coker (STCC) 73
Low Putts: Paulette Lee (WGAS) 32

Second Flight
Low Gross: Robbie Fisher (BWGA) 87
Low Net: Kathleen McCoy (BWGA) 71
Low Putts: Marge Snyder (NHGC) 34

Third Flight
Low Gross: Dot Henson (WGAS) 98
Low Net: Cheryl Smith (WGAS) 70
Low Putts: Jeanette Bohringer (BWGA) 33

Fourth Flight
Low Gross: Tommye Engelcke (BWGA) 107
Low Net: Pat Miller (BWGA) 76
Low Putts: (tie) Pat Rice (BWGA) and Janet Sabo (NHGC) 34

Chip/Putt-ins:  Janet Sabo and Pat Miller