Page 104 - September Sun Rays
P. 104
WGA-9 Hole Club
By Kempa Rider
“Have fun, maintain pace of this new chartered club. Today, member- PHOTO BY SHERRY MCRAE
play, have fun, learn the ship has grown to 185 gals!
rules and have fun!” Now, When a new player joins, she is paired
does that sound like the philosophy of a Why only nine holes instead of 18? Living with a golf ambassador for her first five
fun group of women? The WGA-9 is just in Sun City provides opportunities to par- plays. Ambassadors teach WGA-9 rules
that - a group of ladies who enjoy being ticipate in a wide variety of activities - by and procedures, ensure each person feels
out on the course, meeting new friends, just playing nine holes, the rest of the day welcomed and take some of the intimi-
socializing, learning and following the can be spent elsewhere. Affordability is dation factor out of the picture. This ef-
rules without having competition as a another reason. Not everyone’s income is fort has had a tremendous impact on the
primary focus. the same, and playing nine holes is more group, as well as golf in general!
affordable than playing 18. Finally, as
Ladies golf in Sun City began in 1998 retirement community residents, many The Sun City WGA-9 boasts many coop-
following the completion of Legacy Hills golfers wish to play in an organized set- erative, considerate, creative, enthusias-
with the formation of the Sun City Wom- ting, but find that they no longer having tic, innovative and philanthropic women.
en’s Golf Association (SCGWGA). With the stamina to play the entire course. The The volunteer spirit of so many members
55 charter members, the club featured WGA-9 provides an opportunity to do so. is a stand-out feature of this association.
both 9-hole and 18-hole subgroups. It In addition to assisting with golf tourna-
did not take long to realize there were The club’s tremendous growth can largely ments here in the community, four mem-
two distinct styles of play: One group be attributed to the influx of new home- bers - Barbara Berry, Elaine Carpenter,
was quite serious about the sport, with owners. In addition, with each year comes Susan Dimaline and Jan Dobbs - are co-
highly competitive members who followed new goals and ideas. In 2014, former Sun chairing this year’s hugely popular Sun
every USGA rule. The other group was City Golf Committee chairman and cur- City Rally for the Cure Golf Tournament.
more interested in fellowship, casual golf rent WGA-9 president Betty Ann Preston
and learning the rules while playing golf envisioned an ambassadors program simi- With goals of protecting the integrity of
together. In 2000, Elaine Cielo stepped lar to the one she initiated in 2011 for the USGA golf, enjoying the sport, developing
up and became the driving force behind entire community. She and Donna Betts friendships, learning the rules and having
the formation of the WGA-9. New by-laws presented the idea of creating a sub group fun playing golf, this chartered club has
and a constitution were written and the within the membership to the executive proven to be a successful one! Everyone
required membership of 30 was met, and board, and the WGA-9 Golf Ambassadors is encouraged to read the monthly Sun
Elaine then became the first president of program was born. Rays golf section to keep up with all the
tournaments, socials, charity support and
102 | SUNRAYS SEPTEMBER 2015 fun play days taking place.
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
