SWGA Playday at Stonebridge

Ideal weather.  Wonderful course conditions.  Great turnout.  Great socializing.

That's what forty-eight ladies had on April 22 at the Golf Club at Stonebridge during the second SWGA playday of the new golfing season.  The newly renovated bunkers are sparkling white with "fluffy" sand and a few had been filled-in with grass.  But the challenge was still there!  A great day prevailed.

Low gross score for the day was shot by Mary Lynn Stuart with a super 76! Congratulations Mary Lynn.  Low net was a 64 by Suzanne Tinsley who just got back from Napa Valley.  The wine must help a golfer play great!  The best putter of the day was Mary Gallagher with just 30 putts!

Be aware that Stonebridge was just recently re-rated so there will be new course slope coming out soon.  What used to be the red tees are now the green tees which have been rated for men also.  The silver tees are rated for men and women and really only vary from the green tees on four or five holes.  These changes should make golfing more enjoyable for the "age challenged" golfer.

The next SWGA playday was originally scheduled at Northwood on May 20th; however, due to management issues at the course, the venue has changed to Crooked Hollow with the same 9:00am shotgun.

FIRST FLIGHT
1^st  Gross: Mary Lynn Stuart - 76 (ERCC)
1^st Net: Suzanne Tinsley - 64 (WGAS)
2^nd Gross: Paulette Lee - 89 (WGAS)
2^nd Net: (tie) Debbie Magee (WGAS)/Mary Coker (BWGA) 73    
Low Putts: (tie) Debbie Magee/Paulette Lee (WGAS) 35

SECOND FLIGHT

1^st Gross: Shirley Pettitt - 87 (BWGA)
1^st Gross: Becky Farr - 66 (WGAS)
2^nd Gross: Cathy Buckley - 89 (BWGA)
2^nd Net: Nina Glorioso - 69 (BWGA)
Low Putts: Mary Gallagher - 30 (FRLGA)
 
THIRD FLIGHT
1^st Gross: Jerry Hobson - 90 (FRLGA)
1^st Net: Catherine Jacobs - 68 (BWGA)
2^nd Gross: Marge Snyder - 94 (NCC)
2^nd Net: (tie) Hui Bordelon (FRLGA)/Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) 75 
Low Putts: Marge Snyder - 33 (NCC)

FOURTH FLIGHT

1^st Gross: Linda Heins - 91 (WGAS)
1^st Net: Phyllis Ryan - 69 (ERCC)
2^nd Gross: Mary Moore - 99 (FRLGA)
2^nd Net: Billie Jean Reasor - 76 (FRLGA)
Low Putts: Phyllis Ryan - 33 (ERCC)

FIFTH FLIGHT

1^st Gross: Kyong Lee - 90 (BWGA)
1^st Net: Susan Wright - 67 (ERCC)
2^nd Gross: Bobbie Jo Almond – 101(PCC)
2^nd Net: Alyce Wyche - 74 (PCC)
Low Putts: (tie) Jeanette Bohringer/Tommye Engelcke (BWGA) 37

Stars and Stripes: Palmetto Classic

Red, white and blue were the colors of the day….actually, two days on April 16-17….as the Palmetto Classic Tournament honored our military.  Even if you couldn’t be proud of your practice round the day before, you were sure to be proud of our America as the Benton High School Air Force ROTC presented the colors, followed by the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.  It was a moving experience and the first time this writer has witnessed this at a golf tournament.

As an added treat, Airman Rick Moody from Barksdale remained on the 18^th hole all day and tended the flag for all the players.  We certainly appreciate his service….both on the green and for our country!

Another benefit derived from this tournament was a donation to the Veterans Safe Haven, a shelter for homeless women veterans, through the Volunteers of America of North Louisiana.  Thanks for buying those extra shots on Hole #14 and the mulligans!!!

Day one of the 2-lady tournament was best ball, followed the final day with a scramble.  After the first day’s play, 74 was the low score of the day and was shot by TWO teams in the first flight:  Elaine Flanagan/Vicki DeLaughter (Texarkana) and Pat Park/Darlene Collins (Rayburn Country)

Ironically, both of those teams shot the SAME score again the second day…another 74!  When the 148 scorecard playoff was completed, Collins and Park won first gross while Flanagan and DeLaughter won second gross.

Low net the first day was a very nice 58 by Kim Darnell and Marilyn Helmbeck, followed by Donna Cobb and Martha Lawhorne with a great 59.  After day two, Donna and Martha tied with Mary Jo Gray and Debbie Magee for overall low net with matching 133’s.

The weather was a bit nippy at times, but was otherwise beautiful golfing conditions.  The tournament committee, course staff, and sponsors once again put on a great tournament with a full field and large waiting list.

Complete list of winners:

FIRST FLIGHT

1^st Gross: Pat Park/Darlene Collins 148
1^st Net: Debbie Magee/Mary Jo Gray 133
2^nd Gross: Vicki DeLaughter/Elaine Flanagan 148
2^nd Net: Rosemary Patterson/Elie Woods  135

SECOND FLIGHT

1^st Gross: Kathryn Salpietra/Moise Allen 158
1^st Net: Cathy Morgan/Marge Snyder  138
2^nd Gross: Eliza Robinson/Rhonda Helms 163
2^nd Net: Carole Smith/Bobby Mayo 142

THIRD FLIGHT

1^st Gross: Martha Lawhorne/Donna Cobb 153
1^st Net: Mary Moore/Mary Gallagher 140
2^nd Gross: Linda Heins/Gloria Utley 162
2^nd Net: Linda Colvin/Jill Litton 142

FOURTH FLIGHT

1^st Gross: Bobbie Almond/Theresa Kruse 177
1^st Net: Gayla Coleman/Sheila Brockman 149
2^nd Gross: Alyce Wyche/Rita Hawkins 177
2^nd Net: Phyllis Ryan/Susan Wright  153

CLOSET TO THE PIN

Marge Snyder #3
Debbie Sheppard #7
Cheryl Smith #14
Rita Hawkins #17

STRAIGHTEST DRIVE

Jackie Wayson

Wine and Roses Tournament

Alexandria Country Club again hosted the annual Wine and Roses 2-lady scramble on April 9th, with practice round and big-time live music party the evening prior.  The Shreveport area ladies once again showed up in large numbers to enjoy the golf and fellowship, in spite of the "cart paths only" conditions caused by lots of rain just prior to the tournament.

Southern Trace's Kathy Davis and partner Amy Johnson won second place in the Championship Flight while Broadmoor's Donna Cobb and Martha Lawhorne placed third in the First Flight.  But with "cart paths only", EVERYONE was a winner!  And as usual, the food was great and the homemade cakes were a sensation.

Nikki Patterson Invitational

In just a couple weeks, it will be five years since we lost one of our most avid Shreveport area golfers: Nikki Patterson.  Memories of her are stirred in each of us who knew her every summer since her death when participating in the 4-lady scramble tournament named in her honor.

This sixth annual Nikki Tournament will again be hosted at Stonebridge Country Club, Nikki's home club, on Wednesday, June 25th, with a practice round on June 24th.  The $90 per person entry fee includes the practice round (green fees only), a wine and cheese social on Tuesday afternoon, and continental breakfast and awards luncheon on tournament day.

The field is limited to thirty teams, so don't delay in sending in your entry form.  The tournament is always full.  For entry form and hotel information, Click Here. 

Kinder "Girls' Trip"

A small group of Shreveport golfing girls motored down to Kinder to the Coushatta Casino Resort and Koasati Pines Golf Course to do some heavy G & G (golfing and gambling).  We had tee times for two days of golf, but the cold and wind made us cancel one day.  But the day we DID golf was really exciting with gale force winds.  The golf ball was SHAKING on the tee!  Never saw so many three-putts, but the course was in it's usual GREAT condition and the staff was great, treating us like the "regulars" that we are.  We're hoping to plan another trip, maybe to Marksville for some G & G when the weather gets more predictable.  Maybe you can join us?

NW Louisiana Senior Olympics

The NW Louisiana Senior Olympics has expanded its events for 2014, so surely there is something that fits your passion.  Obviously, for us that read this blog, the golfing events are foremost.

A link to the entire schedule is provided here with all the events.  But for us golfers, the regular stroke play golfing event will be held at 8:30am on Friday, April 25, at Shreveport Country Club. Please note that the Senior Olympics link provided above shows the event at Northwood, but that has been changed.  There is a $35 facility fee.  Winners/qualifiers from this event are eligible to advance to state, regional, and ultimately, to the national competition.

To be eligible to advance, you must win first-, second-, or third place in your age category OR you may qualify even if you don't win a medal.  For women 50-69 yrs. young, you must shoot 105 or below; 70-79 yrs. must shoot 110 or less; and 80+ must complete the round in four hours.  For men 50-69 yrs. must shoot 100 or less; 70-79 must shoot 105 or less; and 80+ must finish in four hours.

There is also a chipping and putting competition to be held on Sunday, April 27, at the Practice Tee on Benton Rd. at I-220 at 2:00pm

And for the real fun-lovers, there will be a miniature golf competition at Party Central, 4401 Viking Drive, Bossier City, on Thursday, May 8, at 6:30pm.  There is a $5 facility fee for this event.

To participate in any of the Senior Olympic events, you must pay a $15 fee which also includes a colorful Senior Olympics tee shirt.  Our own Susan Berry is in charge of all the golfing events for the Senior Olympics.  If you have questions that aren't answered in the link provided above, contact Susan at 929-4878.

First Tee Classic Tournament

The First Tee of Northwest Louisiana is hosting the 6^th Annual First Tee Golf Classic on Tuesday, April 29, at Querbes Park Golf Course in Shreveport.  This 4-person scramble benefits the non-profit First Tee organization, and every dollar raised from it remains in the local community.  It brings educational programs and golf skills camps to hundreds of kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy the game of golf.  The First Tee instills the core values of respect, integrity, honesty, responsibility, sportsmanship, courtesy, perseverance, confidence and judgment to young people in our own community.

There will be a hole-on-one contest, closest to the hole and longest drive prizes as well as lunch prior to play and an awards presentation with heavy hors d’oeuvres at the beautiful new Querbes Park clubhouse/pro shop/grill.

For more information and entry form, Click Here. 

SWGA Playday at Eastridge CC

The SWGA golfing season was kicked off at Eastridge Country Club on Tuesday, March 11, with 52 ladies participating.  It was a really nice day of golf and it was great to finally get to see everyone again.

These are the results of the competition:

FIRST FLIGHT
1st Gross: (tie)Lillian Granger/Kathy Davis (STCC) 82
1st Net: Suzanne Tinsley (WGAS) 72
2nd Gross: Mary Lynn Stuart (ERCC) 85
2nd Net: (tie) Debbie Magee (WGAS)/Carmen Leach (FRLGA) 76
Low Putts: Suzanne Tinsley 31

SECOND FLIGHT
1st Gross: (tie) Vicki Cella (NHGC)/Joyce Middleton (ERCC) 93
1st Net: (tie) Becky Farr (WGAS)/Mary Coker (STCC) 77
2nd Gross: (tie) Robbie Fisher (BWGA)/Gloria Utley (WGAS) 97
2nd Net: (tie) Nina Glorioso/Donna Cobb (BWGA) 80
Low Putts: Becky Farr

THIRD FLIGHT
1st Gross: Gayle Gansfuss (ERCC) 94
1st Net: Linda Colvin (PCC) 75
2nd Gross: Hui Bordelon (FRLGA) 97
2nd Net: Marge Snyder (NHGC) 76
Low Putts: (tie) Hui Bordelon/Gayle Gansfuss 34

FOURTH FLIGHT
1st Gross: Suzanne Patton (BWGA) 91
1st Net: Joanne McDonald (BWGA) 69
2nd Gross: Kyong Lee (BWGA) 97
2nd Net: Martha Bordelon (ERCC) 77
Low Putts: (tie) Martha Bordelon/Kyong Lee 32

FIFTH FLIGHT
1st Gross: Bobbie Jo Almond (PCC) 101
1st Net: Kathy Davis (NHGC)/Leu Wilder (ERCC) 76
2nd Gross: Susan Wright (ERCC) 105
2nd Net: (tie)Vien Wheeler (STCC)/Tommye Engelcke (BWGA) 79
Low Putts: Kathy Davis 31

The next SWGA event is April 22 at Stonebridge Golf Club at 9:00 am.