Judy Onken
When agreeing to write the Splash articles for one more year, one of our members asked to include more of the history of our club. Since our website gives us so much more timely information on play day winners, events, etc., the Splash can be more informative about the character, personality, and attractiveness of the club to potential new members. At least, that is the intent of this writer.
Cottonwood Ladies Golf Association (CLGA) boasts seven members who joined the club before the turn of the century. Gloria Combs has the greatest longevity with the group, followed by Nancy Gahn, Diane Tenney, Nancy Hermanson, Mary Ann Lofquist, Nadine Sanders, and yours truly. All of these gals have contributed in various ways to the success of the club, but this month I’ve singled out Nancy Hermanson.
Hermie came over to my house with CLGA scrapbooks from the early ‘90s. While consuming a pitcher of whiskey sours, we searched through them and reminisced about some of the characters we’ve enjoyed playing with over the years. Those who have gone before include ladies who not only held leadership positions in our club but played significant roles in the Arizona Women’s Golf Association as officers, course raters, and representatives. Nancy’s personal contributions to our group are significant, to say the least. She chaired three Member/Guest events (her favorite had a cowboy theme), was club president, handicap chairman, and (for eight years) tournament chairman. She is a four-time Club Champion.
We agreed that the most challenging time in recent club history was in the selection of tees from which to play. Then-President Jackie Kranz had her hands full when navigating the sometimes heated discussions about migrating from what are now white tees, to green, to mixed, and now to gold. We survived several head pros and laughed when recalling the first Lothario who stole several hearts, the bipolar one we tiptoed around, and the one with a serious drinking problem. Someone once said that history repeats itself. Let’s hope that does not hold true in this case.
Some history teachers insist on sharing recondite facts that have little apparent value or application. The closer we got to the bottom of the pitcher of adult beverages, the less important club history became and the more we realized that the real value in the club is the friendships we make and maintain through golf.
We have several new members this year, so make a point to welcome them, invite them to after-golf gatherings, and add to your circle of friends.