Ann Rounthwaite

The Oakwood Lady Niners Golf Association begins its 2016/17 season with a best ball scramble on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a fabulous welcome back luncheon at noon. Social Chair Sharon Gale has come up with the perfect program to start the season. The luncheon will feature a presentation by Spooner Physical Therapy on golf exercises, preventing injury and the best golf swing to prepare us all for a great winter of golf. To attend the luncheon, leave your check for $17 payable to the OLNGA in the Lady Niners’ box at the Oakwood Pro Shop by November 3.

If you’re thinking about joining this friendly and supportive league, do it now so you don’t miss any of the golf and social events planned for the winter and spring. It’s a great way for beginners to learn rules and etiquette in a relaxed environment and for experienced golfers to compete if they wish for the club championship and State Medallion. For more information call Margaret Johns at 480-588-1807.

OLNGA members played their last round of summer non-league golf with the Ironwood Lady Niners on October 4, and then rested while the Oakwood courses were over seeded. Getting to know the Ironwood golfers was a special bonus this year.

League president Barbara Stewart is preparing for the fall’s first Board meeting November 7. Julie Collier, league Secretary, is one of the Board members who’ll be assisting her. Julie grew up in Cleveland. Since graduating from Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio she’s followed a southward trajectory. Working as a Special Ed teacher for 30 years, she first moved to Columbia and then to Cincinnati. She loved her work teaching children with severe disabilities, but retired 14 years ago and moved to Sun Lakes the next year with her husband Kenneth.

She then began playing golf and joined the Oakwood Lady Niners. Julie probably belongs to more golf leagues than any other OLNGA member – she plays with both Ironwood and Oakwood 18-hole and 9-hole leagues! She enjoys the companionship with women these leagues offer and getting outside on a golf course.

Julie has volunteered in different capacities for most of these leagues, having previously served as OLNGA secretary, helped with orientation, scoring and posting scores and with tournaments and member/guest days. In the community she has volunteered in schools and with a child abuse awareness charity. The OLNGA values the clear and succinct minutes she takes at meetings, capturing just the essentials.

Julie plays golf in Sun Lakes throughout the summer, but she and Kenneth try to get away for at least one week a month. They enjoy travelling and Julie recalls with particular pleasure river cruises in Germany and China, a tour of Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand, and a 14,000 mile motorcycle trip from Arizona to Newfoundland and back! Five children and seven grandchildren add to their full lives.

Volunteers like Julie are essential to the OLNGA’s success. Let Betty Perry know if you’d like to volunteer.