Ann Rounthwaite

The Oakwood Lady Niners Golf Association eased into the 2016/17 season with a scramble on the Lakes course. Kudos to Play Day Chair Helen Semple and the Board for deciding we’d all play from the silver tees for the opening scramble. This not only served as a warm-up for golfers who took the summer off, but it ensured we’d all finish in time for lunch!

Scramble winners were Sandy Kerdiet, Linda Liberti, Marci Griffith and Rachel Enloe. IronOaks Pro Shop credits were also awarded to 2nd, tied 3rd, and 5th place foursomes. Bea Cannon drove closest to the scarecrow on the 7th hole.

The welcome back luncheon was a huge success. With her usual creativity and sense of humor, Social Chair Sharon Gale decorated tables with a harvest theme, augmented by amusing cards with affectionate references to some of our members; 51 Lady Niners attended the luncheon and we welcomed six new members. President Barbara Stewart did such an admirable job of conducting business while we ate that she almost went without a meal.

The after-lunch entertainment was another brilliant idea. After an introduction by Maryellen Wegman, daughter of OLNGA scoring chair Reggie Wegman, Bryan Schulte of Spooner Physical Therapy taught us warm-up exercises to improve our swings. OLNGA members who demonstrated the movements along with Bryan and his colleagues got a stretching workout and proved they could increase their range of motion substantially.

Thanking her for the charm and grace with which she executed her presidential duties, Vice President Margaret Johns presented Barbara Stewart with a token of the members’ gratitude. Showing that signature grace and charm, Barbara replied that her presidency had been the “most fun year” she’d had in a long time.

The previous week members Maddie Walker, Reggie Wegman, Betty Perry, Bea Cannon, Suevonne Negaard, Susan Meer, Rachel Enloe, Sandy Krediet, Deb Burns and Barbara Stewart volunteered at the Oakwood Golf Expo, pitching in with registration, raffle sales, and order confirmation.

The Board announced that golfers should arrive at 9:00 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. tee off every Tuesday until the end of 2016. The holiday luncheon will be at noon on December 6 – sign up by December 1. Denise Fleshner is taking orders for $25 team shirts. In addition to birdies, chip-ins will now qualify for pins – so be sure to record them on the bulletin board in the Pro Shop. And you can sign up for the Pebble Creek Invitational February 7, 2017 and the Ironwood Niners Invitational March 22, 2017.

Volunteers are needed to replace Sheila Bossio and Sally Spangler as Pairing Chairs. Sally is also ready to pass on responsibility for the league handbook. Experience is not required – they’ll train volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to get to know other golfers – the more you get involved, the more you get out of membership. To volunteer or for more information call Margaret Johnson at 480-588-1807.