Pam’s POV

It started earlier this spring and summer with over 2,425 members competing at their respective EWGA Chapter Championships. Fast forward through 15 semi-final competitions held during the summer from which 205 women earned the right to compete Sept. 25-26 in the Championship Finals presented by Callaway Golf at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL over a 2-day 36 hole competition. Was this an easy journey? NO! Were there excited competitors? First time competitors? Anxious competitors? Confident competitors? A fabulous core of volunteers to make it all happen? YES, to all of the above.

Now in its 14th year, this year’s competition began with 120 local Chapter Championships. Consider these stats from the Championship Finals: the age range of competitors was 22 to 78. 102 EWGA Chapters were represented from 37 states plus our north of the border members from Canada. There were 5 competitive stroke play flights and a scramble division of 15 teams.

Julie Shore from the Raleigh Triangle, NC Chapter gets a hole-in-one

Julie Shore of Raleigh, NC made a hole-in-one at the Wanamaker 11th hole, on her first day of competition. And, it was only her second hole of the day to play!

Each player brought a special story to the EWGA Championship experience. Some traveled from Portland, OR, Bellevue, WA, Richmond, VA, Houston, TX, Baton Rouge, LA, Boise, ID, Albany, NY and even Port St. Lucie, FL. It’s the stories that make the Championship and for that matter, the EWGA so special. We are truly an organization that enriches women’s lives through the game of golf. Every competitor present in Port St. Lucie was an example of just that.

I’d like to congratulate Pat Ayres, the 2009 EWGA Champion on her two-day round of 144. She was living a dream to have her family all there for her when she came off the 18th green after completing her final round to share in her accomplishments. This was Pat’s second overall EWGA Championship victory. When she won the title the first time, in 2006, it was in Scottsdale, AZ and her family was not present. So for her to share this with her family, it was indeed a dream come true. So you see, it’s so much more than a competition.

On the first day of competition, CJ Ensign was wearing a black and orange outfit in tribute to another EWGA member battling cancer. Tweets and email messages were being sent to her throughout the week to keep her in touch with what was happening. EWGA’s Port St. Lucie member Judy Holder led the coordination of over 80 EWGA members and friends of the EWGA who volunteered their time to assist during the Championship.

Many came back on the second day of competition when they didn’t have to, just to be a part of the experience. This is just another example of the power and support EWGA members give to one another.

We invite you to visit ewga.com to hear the stories about what the EWGA means to so many.

Vince Lombardi once said, “You are all champions in your own way. That doesn’t mean you have to be number 1 to be the best. Just do your best. If you aren’t first, then make those people ahead of you break records by pushing them with your personal best. Consider for a moment what we achieve from athletics – the sheer fun of competing, the building of a healthy and alert mind and body – stamina, courage, perseverance, dedication, commitment, selflessness and most importantly, the will to excel.”

This message certainly rang true for the four women from the Tri-Cities of Northeast Tennessee Chapter who won the Scramble Team Division. For the last four years, they had placed in the Championship Scramble Division but they had a goal to win the overall title. Congratulations to Angie Peters, Marilyn Martin, Sador Black and Jan Compton. You did it!

And speaking of champions, the EWGA Championship Committee comprised of Jean Gamerl, Donna Shaw, Jeanne Biggerstaff, Karla Harding, Sue Stager, Mary Ann Cronin, Janet Young – and EWGA Staff members Stephanie Jennings, Josie Artymovich and Annette Medalie. Thank you all for a job well done.

Congratulations to all of the EWGA Championship Players!

LINK to results for the top 36-hole winners by flight.