Women's Southern California Golf Association

Important Information for 2010 U.S. Women's Open Qualifying

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:02:00 +0000

The USGA has announced a significant change to the Rules of Golf regarding grooves on clubs effective January 1, 2010. New specifications regarding "v" grooves have been adopted by the USGA, and players must conform to the new rule if the Committee in charge of the competition incorporates the new specifications in its Conditions.

That being said, the USGA will adopt this Condition of Competition, requiring the use of clubs with grooves that conform to the specifications in Appendix II, at each of its three Open Championships in 2010, including the U.S. Women's Open Championship. Although the USGA will not use this Condition at local qualifying, beginning in 2010, there will be NO local qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open, only sectional qualifying. The new rules regarding "v" grooves will be enforced at all U.S. Women's Open sectional qualifying.

For further information, go the the USGA website and read the
Q & A about the new club specifications for grooves.

There will be two sectional qualifying sites in Southern California in 2010. Each site will be limited to 78 competitors to accomodate the 36 holes required to determine the qualifers who will play in the U.S Women's Open (at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania on July 8-11, 2010.)

If you anticipate attempting to qualify for the 2010 U.S. Women's Open, carefully review this information and have your clubs evaluated prior to the sectional qualifying dates.

Saticoy Team Wins Net Championship

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:42:00 +0000

The women’s golf team from Saticoy Country Club made its first trip to the Women’s Southern California Net Team Championship one to remember.

Needing to grab five of the seven points available during the final match against Hacienda Country Club, the Saticoy women made a furious rally over the final nine holes to pull out a win and two ties.

Thanks to the late-match heroics, Saticoy secured the five points, allowing it to win the 2009 title, 7-6. The final event was played July 31 at Saticoy Country Club.

“I am so proud of all my players,” said team captain Diane Grimes. "Our team handicaps go from a 7 to a 31, and we had players from the lowest to the highest in every match."

The comeback was no surprise to Grimes. She said when playing a home-and-home match like the team did against Hacienda, a team expects to win at home and lose away. The key is getting enough points in the loss to allow your team to have a chance to win by holding serve at home.

"I went to Hacienda the first day hoping to get two points, so I was really pleased with 2," Grimes said. "Only one team all year had gotten 2 points at our course, so I knew we had a shot. Thank heaven we got the 2 because they did get two points at Saticoy."

The regular season began in April with 82 clubs in Southern California playing in four divisions. Each division had four groups that consisted of an average of five clubs. Saticoy had the top regular-season record, earning the right to host the final.

"In the 14 years I’ve been team captain, winning the WSCGA championship was beyond anything I thought we could accomplish," Grimes said. "We have won our group many times, but only advanced as far as the semifinals once. Everyone at the club has been as happy and excited as we’ve been. Our men’s team won their championship several years ago, and they all made a point of congratulating us."

The 26 members of the Saticoy team are: Grimes, Leslie Fair, co-captain, Jody Duclos, Dee Fairbanks, Vangie Butler, Debbie Hoekstra, Dyan Veseth, Joanne Riley, Kay Kurahashi, Tina Cho, Tammy Reed, Mary Karrh, Debbi Maruyama, Nancy Conant, Sharon Lutton, Patti Channer, Diane Perez, Connie Kim, Helene Dufau, Gayle Powell, Maureen Kohli, Penny Joseph, Rene Lawler, Ann Hall, Judy Warner and Leandra Matter.

Written by Bob Buttitta and published in the Ventura County Star on August 12, 2009. Reprinted with permission.

What the heck is an Open Play Day?

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:12:00 +0000

Open Play Days are an invitation to all members of the WSCGA (both Division I and Division II) to play casual golf at a public course. The WSCGA negotiates green fees to ensure the lowest cost and also reserves tees times with the Pro shop.

Open Play Days are different from regularly scheduled WSCGA tournaments in that there is no entry fee and no awards luncheon is held after the round. The cost to members includes the green fee, cart and range balls plus a nominal charge to purchase gift cards for the gross and net winners.

An Open Play Day is an opportunity for players to participate in a stress-free event with friendly competition among other WSCGA members. All handicap levels are encouraged to participate. It’s anticipated that higher handicap players especially will use the events as a stepping stone to regularly scheduled WSCGA tournaments.

The latest Open Play Day was held at Glen Annie Golf Course in Santa Barbara. The format was two better balls of the foursome and members were allowed to form their own team. Several teams chose to dress alike and 19 members from The Alisal came dressed in purple and white! Everyone had a great time and enjoyed a beautiful, tranquil day in Santa Barbara.

The next Open Play Day will be held on September 29th at Oak Quarry Golf Club in Riverside. Oak Quarry is an interesting and challenging championship course that winds through the white- faced, jagged terrain of the historic Jensen Quarry. It’s conveniently located between the 10 and the 60 freeways. Then on December 8, 2009 members can experience the newly refurbished Babe Zaharias course at Pacific Palms Resort in the City of Industry, a historic gem designed by legendary golf architect William Francis Bell.

Venues for 2010 include both the North and South courses at La Costa in Carlsbad, Hunter Ranch in Paso Robles and River Ridge in Oxnard.

So ladies, get your feet wet!!! Sign up for the Open Play Days. The rates are reasonable, the camaraderie is great and before you know it you’ll want to play in all WSCGA events!

Linda Lane,WSCGA Office Manager/Executive Assistant

Life is Too Short to Hit Out of a Bunker

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:02:00 +0000

As a professional woman in desperate need of a fertile networking ground, I will admit that there was a "if-you-can't-beat-'em..." aspect to my decision to take up golf. The golf course was, to me, merely a satellite location for the testosterone-dominated business world in which I work, where all sorts of high-level wheels and deals were casually accomplished before the third tee.

I wanted in on the action and it did not take a rocket scientist to notice that virtually every business-related conference, retreat, or seminar took place within suspicious proximity of a golf course. Not to mention the fact that the men in my office defended the midweek wearing of a pink polo shirt and khaki pants by sniffing self-importantly, "Hey, I'm playing New Pine Hills with a client today." I suspect if I showed up at the office in a two-piece fleece sweatsuit, flip-flops, and my hair in a ponytail, and explained I was taking a client to the Supine Thrills nail and facial spa, it would not have quite the same time-honored ring to it.

So I signed up for golf lessons.

It's got everything I look for in a sport, sartorially speaking. I can pretty much sum it up in two words: no Spandex. As far as I am concerned, that is a threshold requirement for any sport; that, and the absence of the need for protective gear of any kind. It also does not involve perky white skirts with coy little lace-trimmed panties, rented shoes, tank tops, micro-shorts, sports bras, or rubber waders. In fact, it is, from the fashion standpoint alone, the perfect sport. Who doesn't look smashing in sunglasses, a visor, a natural-fiber blouse, and wide-legged bermudas? Throw in a McGann hat and, athletically speaking, it just doesn't get any better.

I can't help but note that the men have also made discernible progress on this front. Pastel shirts and gaudy pants have all but disappeared. Well, except for the late Jack Lemmon's outfits at Pebble Beach. I'm guessing that the PGA finally and wisely outlawed white belts and plaid of any kind. Once color television became commonplace, the future of the sport depended on it.

It is amazing that a sport so male-dominated is not disgustingly macho. I have now played several rounds and have yet to see anyone butt heads, slap butts, spike the ball, do anything resembling the Funky Chicken. The mere image of Arnold Palmer adjusting himself and spitting is unthinkable. It's also hard to picture golf fans with faces painted in team colors swinging a hatchet overhead.

This decorum is even reflected in golfers' names. Famous golfers have perfectly civilized monikers like Jack or Lee. There is not a Bubba or Mad-Dog in the lot. The appearance of Tiger on the scene may compromise my whole theory and portend a modern movement toward ferocity. Nonetheless, any sport willing to embrace someone named Fuzzy gets my vote.

As it turns out, the only thing on steroids in this sport is the handbag. As if my real, self-interested, capitalistic reason were not unseemly enough, I have been accused of taking up golf in order to have license to carry a five-foot purse. I admit I started salivating when I was given a golf bag as a gift and imagined the myriad uses for the numerous, odd-shaped, cleverly placed zippered sections.

Shortly thereafter, I was so excited to see on the cover of a women's golf magazine the teaser, "What's In the Pros' Bags?" I could hardly wait to confirm that my and the pros' bags were crammed with the same essentials: lip liner, Whopper wrappers, hair scrunchies, car keys, and, of course, my business cards.

Imagine my disappointment in learning that Alice Ritzman carries in her bag a "Data nine-degree driver with PRGR graphite shaft, firm flex" and Kris Tschetter carries a "Ping Eye 2 (red dot) beryllium copper 53- and 60-degree sand wedges with G. Loomis graphite shafts." I feel so betrayed.

The courses are invariably naturally arid deserts that have been transformed by unconscionable amounts of water into lovely verdant landscapes. But the game itself interferes somewhat with my desire to commune with nature and celebrate our cosmic one-ness.

I do find raking the bunker to have a certain Zen-like therapeutic effect. The actual game is, of course, impossible. As it turns out, golf clubs, unlike golf bags, are not the least bit user-friendly. The mere notion that one could, while standing upright, strike a tiny sphere on the ground with a long, skinny pole is laughable. To assume it can be done with accuracy and power is downright demented. No offense to those virtuous golfers who walk the course carrying their bags, but I'm guessing that the sport is not high on the endorphin index, either. Yes, if it weren't for the actual playing of the game, this definitely would be the perfect sport.

Despite my own lack of proficiency, gender is not much of a disadvantage in golf. A slow, careful swing and good equipment can approximate the same result that large biceps and sheer power provide. No, oddly enough, the male advantage in golf is not physical. It's mathematical. They've developed these goofy betting games that definitely favor the left-sided brain. I think I can master “skins,” but I need a laptop for “bingo, bango, bongo” — the name of which I always found mildly lewd. And when someone suggests "multiple presses or greenies, birdies and sandies on a Nassau," I just fling him my wallet and tell him to take whatever he wants.

As with so many things, my true forte turns out to be not in the substance, but in the appurtenant. I am a downright savant in aprés-golf. The clubhouse ritual of a cold beer and a fat-laden snack comes naturally to me. I was recently spotted spreading mud on my pant cuffs and scribbling on a score card, before hoisting my clubs out of my trunk and heading directly from the parking lot to the clubhouse bar, where I set up shop with a pile of my business cards directly in front of me and waited for hapless business opportunities to walk by.

One negative (aside from the unsightly little ankle-level tan line) is the unparalleled world of gag gifts that playing golf invites. I had barely hung up the phone from scheduling my first lesson when my daughter presented me with a collector's plate of a fantasy fairway featuring a waterfall, butte, ocean and alligator-infested moat. I didn't get the joke. That's how most fairways actually look to me. It was followed closely by a club-handed watch, a "I'd Rather Be Golfing" license plate frame, and a "Golfers Do it With Follow-Through" bumper sticker. I wondered where, in this classy sport, the market for such kitsch is . . . until I saw an electric coffee-mug-warming-coaster that doubles as an indoor putting cup and screams "fore" whenever you touch it. Those pink, personalized tees have got to go, though.

So far, my athleto-business plan has been met with astonishingly limited success. Golf has provided me with an activity with which to entertain clients, a venue for meeting colleagues, and a conversational topic common to many of my professional peers. It has also introduced me to contacts and friendships that seemed woefully inaccessible because of my gender. As it turns out, however, the entire benefit of such contacts is instantly eliminated whenever I explain that I would not consider keeping score, and life is just too short to hit out of a bunker.

Written by Roxanne Holmes who has been an attorney in San Francisco for 24 years. Roxanne practiced in a law firm for 13 years and now works for the California Supreme Court.

Welcome Industry Hills!

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:11:00 +0000

WSCGA extends a warm welcome to the Industry Hills Women’s Golf Association at Pacific Palms as they move to Division I status. The IHWGA and their golfing facility have met the WSCGA By-Law requirements for this designation.

Pacific Palms boasts LA’s only 4-star rated golf experience with 36 holes of completely refurbished championship golf on the legendary ‘Ike’ and ‘Babe’ courses. Designed by renowned golf architect William Francis Bell, the courses are recognized as two of his masterworks along with the likes of Torrey Pines Municipal, site of the 2008 U.S. Open. Bell and his father, William Park Bell (Billy Bell Jr. & Sr.), are considered California’s first family of golf course architects having designed hundreds of exceptional courses throughout the state including the very exclusive Valley Club in Montecito.

Congratulations to the Industry Hills Women’s Golf Association!

Submitted by the WSCGA Membership and Compliance Committee.

Conducting a Club Championship

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:47:00 +0000

The Club Championship is the most coveted of all awards. All members should be encouraged to participate in this important event and every effort should be made to assure that the best golfer of a club is the champion.

April is the traditional month set aside by the WSCGA for Club Championships. It’s not required that a club play its Championship at this “set aside” time; however, it is suggested that the tournament be completed and results reported to the WSCGA before September 1st of the current year so the information can be included in the WSCGA Directory.

To encourage all members to participate in the Club Championship, various methods of play (stroke or match) may be used. WSCGA does not recommend any method as best. Choose the one that fits your club’s needs.

WSCGA recommends that a Club Championship be decided by 72 holes of Stroke or Match Play played at scratch. The tournament may also consist of Stroke or Match Play with the Championship Flight played at scratch and all others at course handicap.

In Match Play, if the Championship Flight consists of the minimum eight players, it must include an 18-hole qualifying round for flighting and/or ladder position purposes. Also, the USGA recommends that a “bye” not be given in the Championship Flight. Flights should be equal in number depending on the number of entrants, if possible, and set-up according to course handicap. Players of like ability in the same flight should all play the course at the same time and under the same conditions.

WSCGA also suggests that clubs have in place a Tournament Committee of at least three people. That way there’s always a majority when taking a vote and any decision does not rest on the shoulders of one person.

It’s also recommended that the Tournament Committee provide Conditions of the Competition for each event which address any situation that could arise. USGA Rule of Golf 33-1 states that “the Committee must establish the Conditions under which a Competition is to be played.” If written Conditions of the Competition are not in place, the Committee is ultimately responsible for making decisions on any issue(s) which might arise.

The method for breaking ties should be published in advance of the tournament. Refer to the USGA publication “How to Conduct a Competition” for suggestions. A sudden death playoff in the Championship Flight could be held to determine the Champion and Runner-up. Clubs may choose other tie-breaking procedures for the remaining flights, such as the USGA Back Nine Method.

For information regarding prizes and awards refer to the WSCGA Blog “Never Cash!” January 15, 2009,

If you have any questions regarding Club Championships, please contact the Tournament Desk at 909-592-1281 x 204

Never Cash!

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:20:00 +0000

WSCGA receives several club inquires each year about giving cash as prizes at a club event or guest day.

Under the USGA Rules of Amateur Status, cash is cash is cash and is not an acceptable prize under Rule 3 except for a hole-in one while playing golf. The USGA is unequivocal on this point as it is the bright line that distinguishes an amateur from a professional.

The amount of money paid out does not matter. It is not an acceptable prize. Also, by virtue of the club licensing agreement with WSCGA, each club represents that it follows the USGA Handicap System as well as the Rules of Golf which also include the Rules of Amateur Status.

Although the USGA does not condone wagering,typical skins games and other forms of gambling engaged in during a round of golf do not violate the prohibition of giving cash as prizes as long as participation is voluntary, players are betting on their own performance and all monies are collected and distributed on the same day of the event. (see page 153, Rules of Golf Appendix)

Although the prohibition against cash may seem unnecessarily broad, the USGA has liberalized the Rules of Amateur Status in recent years. Cars received as a hole-in-one prize are now acceptable prizes, as long as it is made during a round of golf and not in a hole-in-one competition. Prizes up to $750 in retail value per tournament are acceptable under the Rules as well. Gift cards, silver bowls or gold jewelry are all acceptable prizes under The Rules of Amateur Status as long as the retail value is $750 or less.

If you have questions about acceptable prizes under The Rules of Amateur Status or other questions , please contact the WSCGA office at 909-592-1281

Awards Presented at 2008 Annual Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:45:00 +0000

Each year the WSCGA gives special recognition at its Annual Meeting to a Distinguished Service Award recipient, a Volunteer of the Year and a Golf Professional of the year.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes a person whose outstanding accomplishments have furthered the game of golf in the interest of women. The 2008 DSA recipient, Linda Garrison of Industry Hills Golf Club, is certainly well-deserving.

Linda was an educator and administrator at Mt. Sac for 34 years where she supported the transfer of women's athletics to the NCAA from AIAW and was the first woman in the country appointed to direct both men's and women's athletic programs. She served for many years on the California Association of Community Colleges Commission of Athletics and was very instrumental in the implementation of Title IX in community colleges. (Title IX provides equal athletic opportunities for women).

Along the way Linda developed a passion for golf and added her leadership and organizational skills at both the local and regional level. She served as the Western American Golf Association (WAGA) President from 1997 to 2000 and was a key figure in the merger of WAGA to WSCGA. She has also worn many hats for the Industry Hills Women's Golf Club....chairperson, team captain and rules director to name a few.

Well-recognized in the women's golf community and spoken highly of by her peers, Linda continues to be a strong role model for women. WSCGA salutes you, Linda. Congratulations!

Introduced in 2007 and first presented to the person that bears its name, The Judy Borden Award recognizes a recipient whose outstanding volunteerism have furthered WSCGA and the game of golf in the interest of women. The 2008 recipient, Carol Stewart of South Hills Country Club, has done all of that and more!

Carol has been an active member of WSCGA for 30 years and a Rules Maven extroidinare! When you hear her name you automatically think about the Rules of Golf. Carol served on the WSCGA Board of Directors for 2 years as the Rules Director, was instrumental in establishing the Rules Education Committee, has attended 5 SCGA and 10 USGA Rules Seminars and has conducted Rules seminars at WSCGA member clubs and Leadership Workshops for the past 11 years. She's also served the South Hills women's club as Chairperson, Parlimentarian, Advisor, Bylaws Chairperson, Installation Chairperson, WSCGA Liaison and Rules Chairperson. And just in case anyone out there is thinking that's all, Carol also operates her own Real Estate business which she's owned for the past 36 years!

Congratulations, Carol. WSCGA thanks you for your many years of service not just for our organization but for the game of golf!

The Professional of the Year Award was first presented in 2007 and recognizes a golf professional whose outstanding contributions have furthered WSCGA and the game of golf in the interest of women. The 2008 recipient, Carol Hogan, is the Head Professional at Desert Island Golf and Country Club where she's served since 1994, first as an assistant then as head professional. Testimony to Carol's support of women and women's golf is the fact the members of her club "adore her" (their words) and many of them (15-20) attended the Annual Meeting to see her receive this award.

Carol turned Professional in 1984 winning 15 professional Mini Tour events and playing in four LPGA Major Tour events including two U.S. Opens and two LPGA Championships. She became a Club Professional in 1988 with Class A status in both the LPGA and the PGA and has received national recognition as one of the top 50 golf instructors in the United States.

Carol has been enthusiastic and open whenever Desert Island has been approached about a tournament, and WSCGA is currently looking forward to their hosting of the 2009 Desert Event.

Congratulations, Carol, for this well-deserved award!

WSCGA would like to thank all three of these outstanding women for their contributions and service to the organization and to women's golf!

USGA President is the Keynote Speaker at WSCGA's Annual Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:19:00 +0000

The WSCGA was extremely honored to have the current President of the USGA, James Vernon, as the keynote speaker at the 2008 Annual Meeting. Mr. Vernon provided a very interesting account of ongoing USGA projects both present and future.

As the USGA President, Mr. Vernon leads the professional staff and nearly 1400 volunteers. He is in his 6th year as a member of the Executive Committee, a term that included 2 years as vice-president of the USGA and 4 years as Chairman of the Equipment Standards Committee. James started his volunteer work with the USGA as a member of the USGA Sectional Affairs Committee in 1998.

Mr. Vernon is a member of Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank and Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach. He was the SCGA President in 1997 and continues to serve as a board member of the SCGA Foundation.

The WSCGA thanks Mr. Vernon not only for speaking at the Annual Meeting but also for his many contributions to the game of golf!

Governor's Budget Proposal Targets Golfers

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:24:00 +0000

SACRAMENTO – California’s golf industry and its three million golfers would pay millions in new taxes if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s latest budget proposal becomes law. The proposal, which the Governor unveiled today, would broaden the sales tax base to target golf and a handful of other services for much of the burden of the huge new tax increase.

“It is patently unfair to single out California’s golfers, who already pay a fair share of taxes, and expect them to assume a disproportionate share of the revenue needed to close the state’s budget deficit,” said Bob Bouchier, executive director of the California Alliance for Golf. “With courses suffering and golfers staying at home while the economy flounders, this is exactly the wrong time to deal a major blow to an industry that plays such an important role in California’s economy.”

According to the independent research firm SRI International, golfers, golf courses, equipment suppliers, and the activities they support, pumped $6.9 billion into the state’s economy in 2006. Golf course facility operations were the largest revenue component of California’s golf industry at $2.85 billion, which includes greens fees, range fees, membership fees, golf cart rentals and good and beverages.

SRI’s analysis puts the golf industry on par with biotechnology ($4.6 billion), wineries ($8.2 billion) and semiconductor manufacturing ($10.9 billion). When indirect impacts are included -- such as the goods and services purchased by golf courses and by golf employees -- the total direct and indirect economic impact of the golf industry in California is estimated at $15.1 billion.

The California Alliance for Golf is a trade association of golf course owners, managers and superintendents; professional golfers; equipment manufacturers and golf associations such as the Professional Golf Association and the Northern and Southern Golf Associations.

November 6, 2008 news release issued by the Executive Director of the California Alliance For Golf, Bob Bouchier.

It's Not Easy

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:59:00 +0000

Let’s be honest. Ethics is not for wimps. It’s not easy being a good person.
It’s not easy to be honest when it might be costly, to play fair when others cheat, or to keep inconvenient promises.
It’s not easy to stand up for our beliefs and still respect differing viewpoints.
It’s not easy to control powerful impulses, to be accountable for our attitudes and actions, to tackle unpleasant tasks, or to sacrifice the now for later.
It’s not easy to bear criticism and learn from it without getting angry, to take advice, and to admit error.
It’s not easy to feel genuine remorse and apologize sincerely or to accept an apology graciously and truly forgive.
It’s not easy to stop feeling like a victim, to resist cynicism, and to make the best of every situation.
It’s not easy to be consistently kind, to think of others first, to judge generously, and to give the benefit of the doubt.
It’s not easy to be grateful or to give without concern for reward or gratitude.
It’s not easy to fail and still keep trying, to learn from failure, to risk failing again, to start over, to lose with grace, or to be glad of another’s success.
It’s not easy to look at ourselves honestly and be accountable, to avoid excuses and rationalizations, or to resist temptations.
No, being a person of character is not easy. That’s why it’s such a lofty goal and an admirable achievement.

By Michael Josephson, Ethicist and Founder of the Josephson Institute. Visit his website at www.charactercounts.org/michael.

History-Making Attempt for Higgins Ends in Quarterfinals

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:44:00 +0000

Diane Lang didn’t fly halfway across the country for the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur to get reacquainted with friends. Nope, this mission had a purpose, and the itinerary didn’t include 19th-hole cocktails or checking out Oklahoma’s finest cuisine.

“Diane doesn’t do social,” said the 53-year-old Jamaican-born Lang who now resides in Weston, Fla. “We do winning or unhappy. That’s two choices.”

Lang, the Senior Women’s champion in 2005 and ‘06, moved a step closer to re-claiming the trophy she relinquished last year in Sunriver, Ore., defeating reigning U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Joan Higgins of Glendora, Calif., 3 and 2, in the quarterfinals Wednesday morning at Tulsa Country Club.

Wearing a game face from the opening hole, a determined Lang set out to repeat the outcome of a 2007 Senior Women’s second-round match, when she defeated Higgins, 4 and 3, en route to the semifinals. A few early hiccups – a missed 3½-footer for par at the first hole and hitting a tree branch with the approach at the second – were replaced by brilliant shot-making that included tap-in birdies at the fifth and 10th holes, the latter giving Lang the lead for good.

Lang finished the equivalent of even par for the 16 holes, with the usual match-play concessions. She registered four birdies and didn’t have a bogey after missing a 21-foot par attempt at the par-3 ninth hole.

The 52-year-old Higgins, meanwhile, had entered the match as the hottest female senior amateur in the country. Two weeks ago, she became the oldest champion in U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur history and had not been extend beyond the 15 th hole in her three previous matches at this week’s championship.

“She was coming into this tournament with a whole lot of confidence,” said Lang. “Thankfully, I played halfway decent today. I am still having problems with my driver, but I managed to get it around.”

Higgins didn’t have the same mojo as previous rounds. She did drain a clutch 12-foot birdie at No. 5 to earn a halve, but missed a 7-foot birdie at the par-5 eighth to win the hole. At the par-3 ninth, Higgins had another chance to win a hole, but failed to convert from 9 feet. After Lang’s brilliant approach at 10 to 2 feet for a winning birdie, Higgins made consecutive bogeys at 12 and 13 to go 3 down. Lang managed to get up and down for par at 13 and 14, the latter from a greenside bunker, to close the door on any comeback hopes.

“It was just one of those days,” said Higgins. “When you win, (the putts) go in. When you lose, they don’t. I think she knew with me winning the Mid-Am, she was pumped up for me. I wasn’t a nobody anymore.

“This morning warming up I was a little quick (and) unsettled. I knew I was going to have to play well and maybe I put a little pressure on myself. I really did try to enjoy myself and I did. I wish I would have played better. But it’s been a great three weeks.”

Ironically, Higgins scheduled her flight back to Southern California Wednesday at 5 p.m., thinking she would not advance to Thursday’s championship match. “It’s been fantastic,” said Higgins, who played tennis at the University of Wisconsin in the late 1970s. “Hopefully in ’09 I can do just as well.”

Lang, who faces 51-year-old Claudia Pilot in Wednesday afternoon’s semifinals, isn’t satisfied with making the final four. Last year, she admitted to not giving her full attention to winning, and dropped a 1-down semifinal decision to Robyn Puckett. So for the past year, Lang has pointed toward this competition. She started seeing swing coach Tommy Fonseca at Heron Bay in January and working on her fitness with physical trainer Jeff Kroop.“He works mostly with resistance bands and stretching,” said Lang.

To prepare for the subtleties of the A.W. Tillinghast greens, Lang bought a special device after last year’s Senior Women’s Amateur that helps determine slopes and breaks. The ever-meticulous Lang spent last Friday making copious notes of every green complex, using arrows to show which way putts would break.

Even with a local caddie, Lang pulled out her notebook for each putt. She then pointed the handle of her putter toward the hole to pick out a specific spot on the line. “I’m a spot putter so I just look to see where I think it’s going to go,” said Lang. “I pick up an old ball mark and try to roll (my ball) over the ball mark.”

So far so good. One more win on Wednesday and Lang will be in the championship match for the third time in four years.

“This has been a one-year goal,” she said. “You need to want this 120 percent. I only wanted it 98 (percent last year) and that won’t work.”

By USGA New Media staff writer, David Shefter. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.

Joan Higgins Looking to Make USGA History....Again

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:51:00 +0000

Just last week at Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan, WSCGA member, Joan Higgins from Glendora Country Club defeated Lynn Simmons of Phoenix, Arizona, 1 up, to become the oldest winner of the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Starting on Saturday at Tulsa Country Club, Joan will be looking to make history again as the only player to ever capture both the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur in the same year. Higgins qualified to compete in the Senior Amateur by firing a 79 at Palos Verdes Golf Club on August 18, and was one of 10 qualifiers from that site.

The other Southern California qualifiers (all WSCGA members) include: Deby Anderson (Mission Hills), Marsha Butler (CC of Rancho Bernardo), Madelaine Campbell (Mesa Verde), Lynn Dahl-Kundin (Shadowridge), Liz Diamante (Industry Hills), Kate Grace (Rancho Santa Fe), Ann Lahey (PGA West), Cathy Lonegan (Las Posas), Karen Mabli (Palos Verdes), Linda Pearson (Oakmont) and Leslie Wilk (Woodland Hills). Also playing is former Santa Ana member and winner of many WSCGA Championships, Marianne Towersey, who now resides in Pebble Beach.

To follow the progress, visit the USGA Senior Women's Amateur website. Good Luck to all!

Higgins Wins U.S. Women's Mid-Am

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:53:00 +0000

Ann Arbor, Michigan - Sometimes to attain a goal, to cross the threshold from fiction to reality requires stepping back.

Stop. Focus. Reassess.

Reach down deep.

Execute.

That’s what 52-year-old Joan Higgins did Thursday in becoming the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur’s 22nd champion. She cocked, aimed and reloaded six previous times in the event, always uncertain if this day would happen.

She continually siphoned advice from her memory that 2004 champion, and fellow Californian, Corey Weworski imparted on her during the 2005 players’ dinner. She even thought that making it to the quarterfinals last year might be her opus. “When we were at the players’ dinner,” said Higgins, “Corey said, ‘What an unbelievable year I had.’ Then she said, ‘Joan, you can do it. You can win. All you have to do is make pars.’”

Sounds simple enough. That’s where the execution comes in. Higgins won because – with all apologies to the obvious – she had more pars than Lynn Simmons of Phoenix, Ariz.

Higgins, a mother of two teenaged males and who played tennis at the University of Wisconsin from 1974-78, felt more lively than high voltage wires. Normally when a player says as much, the nerves will dissipate with two or three holes under their belt. Not Higgins. She felt on edge the entire round and never fully relaxed until Simmons couldn’t funnel in her 30-foot putt on No. 18.

All the soft-spoken Higgins could do was smile and accept a congratulatory hug from Simmons, seemingly unsure what to do next. She didn’t realize the victory also made her the oldest champion in the event, surpassing Carol Semple Thompson.

“I’m still in shock,” said Higgins. “I really am. I can’t believe it. Last night in bed I was tossing and turning all night, like, ‘You could be a national champion, don’t think about it, don’t think about it because it’s probably not going to happen. She’s probably going to go out and clean your clock.’”

The two epitomized what amateur golf and sportsmanship is supposed to be about. Throughout the match, each would encourage the other. They smiled. They enjoyed the competition. When it was over, there were no tears of disappointment out of Simmons. She walked to her husband, Doug, who had taken a red-eye flight from Arizona Wednesday night, and received a kiss. “I just couldn’t miss this,” he said.

Simmons’ semifinal opponent, Noreen Mohler, grabbed Simmons’ ear and probably summed it up best. “You can only be a little bit disappointed.”

There was some disenchantment as Simmons headed to the 18th hole, 1 down. Moments earlier, Simmons missed an opportunity to even things when she left her 12-foot putt short. “I made too many bogeys,” said Simmons. “She was steady all day and it was hard to catch her.”

On the bright side, Simmons received a five-year exemption into the championship that had her beaming. With a dose of perspective, for the 40 year old with a fitness company who only picked up the game at 19, it was an acceptable salve.

And for Higgins? What did she learn about herself this week?

“What I’ve learned is that you don’t have to hit it 240 yards off the tee. I’ve learned not to be upset with bad shots. It’s OK to use woods when other players are using long irons,” she said.

“If you would have told me a week ago that I would be standing here right now, I would have said, 'Never.'”

Yet now the threshold has been crossed because Higgins dared to envision that it could happen, no apologies.

Ken Klavon is the USGA’s Editor of Digital Media. E-mail him with questions or comments at kklavon@usga.org.

Over-Use of the Ball Washer

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:15:00 +0000

This includes washing two or more balls at a time at each and every tee. A golf ball does not have to be sterilized prior to hitting. The other players must wait until this process is completed, as no one wants to hit with a plunger swooshing in her backswing. And washers are usually positioned near cart paths. This means the offending player not only disturbs the silence with her loading and plunging, but also has ample opportunity to drop balls on the asphalt while drying them.

Misuse of the ball washer can lead to serious injury. The ball washer is a moveable obstruction that can be easily lifted and launched. If you should be impaled by one, seek immediate medical attention.

Quoted from Tuesdays at Eight

Did You Know ? - WSCGA Members at US Women's Amateur

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:56:00 +0000

WSCGA members Kathy Showe, (La Quinta CC), Linda Olsen (PGA West) and Robyn Puckett (Shady Canyon) qualified for the 108th US Women’s Amateur being played at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Oregon August 4-9.

Both Linda and Kathy have played in prior USGA Championships. Linda played in the first USGA Mid-Am Championship held in 1987. Kathy debuted as a junior at the 1980 Girls’ Junior Championship.

Robyn is the oldest competitor, at age 61 (it is already on the USGA website!)

The youngest competitor is Gabriella Then, 12, who is from Rancho Cucamonga.

Of the 156 competitors at the US Women’s Amateur Championship, 27 are from Southern California, which is slightly less than the 31 Southern Californians at the US Girls’ Junior Championship held last week.

Beginning Wednesday, August 6th, the match play portion of the Championship will be televised on the Golf Channel.

“T” Scores – What are they and Who Decides?

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:46:00 +0000

The USGA Handicap Department recently issued this FAQ which your club can use as a guideline in determining whether a club event or tournament should be designated as a “T” (Tournament) score. Although the USGA sites team matches as an example of a “T” score, WSCGA Team Rules for Division II designate only semi-final and final matches as Tournament scores. Division I team play scores are not to be posted as Tournament scores. In any event, you should review the definition of Tournament score on page 12 of the “USGA Handicap System Manual.”

Tournament Score (T) Designation and Reduction
Q: Our golf club holds weekly events for our members. There is discussion whether these events meet the definition of a Tournament Score (T-Score). Should they be posted as T-Scores?

A: Weekly events are not recommended to be designated as T-Scores because they are not significant events. A reasonable analogy is the PGA Tour conducts a tournament nearly every week. These weekly tournaments are similar to the competitions conducted at golf clubs and are not significant in the traditions, etc. of the golf club. The four “major” tournaments conducted throughout the year on the PGA Tour do meet the definition of a T-Score and should be posted accordingly. On the golf club level, the Committee should also limit the designation of T-Scores to the major events conducted by the club (e.g., member-guest competition, club championship, team matches). When too many scores are posted as T-Scores, especially those that don’t necessarily meet the definition of a T-Score, the automatic reduction built into the USGA Handicap System loses its effectiveness in identifying those who perform exceptionally well in tournaments.

The T-Score reduction, outlined in Section 10-3 of “The USGA Handicap System” manual, identifies any player who has demonstrated a certain level of performance in tournaments that is not representative of the player’s normal playing potential. A player’s Handicap Index® may be reduced if the average Handicap Differential™ produced from the two best T-Scores is at least 3.0 below the player’s Handicap Index as calculated under Section 10-2. An automatic reduction of Handicap Index is conducted at each handicap revision date.

“The USGA Handicap System” manual is available online to view via: http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Handicap-System-Manual/Handicap-Manual.

Deb Long, WSCGA Handicap Administrator

Eclectic Tournaments - Selecting the Best

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:38:00 +0000

Any golfer who is serious enough to belong to a golf club, has a handicap and plays in tournaments or guest days has probably played in a tournament called an “eclectic”. Few golfers understand what this means for purposes of posting.

First, what does eclectic mean? It is not defined in the Rules of Golf nor does the word actually appear in the USGA Handicap System Manual. The definition found in the Webster-Merriam Dictionary defines “eclectic” as “selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods and styles.” In golf, the term “eclectic means just that, ‘selecting what appears to be the best’ hole scores over two days of play over the same course. Many avid golfers better understand the format in the context of either the ringer board – where individual players record their best hole scores made on a particular course over a period of time (a quarter or a year, for example) or as a format described in the Rules as Four Ball Stroke Play or Match Play but commonly referred to as ‘better ball of partners’ or ‘best ball of partners’ where only the score of one partner counts. In an eclectic format, you are your own partner and you are scoring your best score on each hole over two days. The same holds true whether it is an individual eclectic or a partner eclectic. For the tournament, low score wins the prize!

Somehow, many golfers believe that because you cannot better your score the second day and pick up your ball that only the first day counts for posting. The principles of the USGA Handicapping System should logically lead to the conclusion that BOTH rounds must be posted! Under the USGA Handicap System Manual the following are true statements:

1. If you skip a hole, you record your ‘net par’ – par plus any strokes you would receive on that particular hole.

2. If you start a par 5 hole, hit two balls out of bounds off of the tee and are laying 5 in the fairway, your equitable stroke is 7, and you scored a 5 the previous day, you may determine:

► Your most likely score would be two more to get on the green plus two putts for a 9! If you play out the hole and make the 9 that is what you would record, adjusting your score by subtracting two strokes from your total score for posting purposes only. If you decide to ‘put your ball in your pocket’ and record your equitable stroke score for the hole, you would write in a 7x.

► If the tournament also sold you a mulligan which you used to make a birdie 4 on that par 5, that score would be used for the ‘game’ or tournament score; but for posting purposes, you or the Tournament Committee would adjust the 4 to net par, which is par plus any strokes you would have received. Example: Your course handicap is 10 and the par five is the #9 handicap hole; you would record a 6 on that hole even though you made a 4 with your mulligan. If the hole was the #15 handicap hole, you would record a 5, as a 10 handicap would not be entitled to a stroke on that hole).

The USGA requires that both rounds of an eclectic be posted even if a player failed to lower or complete every hole on the second day. The reasoning is that there is a way for you to equitably post a score for each hole even if you do not complete each hole that day. (It does assume that you holed out on each hole on the first day of the competition or in a partner format, that either you or your partner holed out on each hole.)

Furthermore, either both days are posted as Tournament scores or both days are posted as regular scores. How the rounds are classified is up to the Tournament Committee. The first day cannot be a T score and the second day a regular round. The Committee in charge of the tournament should declare in advance, preferably in its Conditions of the Competition or tournament notice what the status of the rounds will be – either “T” scores or regular rounds. Posting eclectic rounds is never “optional” or at the option of the player. The eclectic score (your best ball score over two days) is not acceptable for posting purposes and this is mentioned only because it has happened where the eclectic score became a posted score. Ouch, especially if it was posted as a “T” score!

Whether you’re a player or the chair in charge of a tournament, eclectics score the best hole scores from two rounds of golf. As such, both rounds must be posted in accordance with the principles of equitable stroke control utlizing ‘most likely score’ and ‘net par’ if a hole is skipped or a mulligan is used to make the score.

Deb Long, WSCGA Handicap Administrator

Curing Victimitis

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:16:00 +0000

The following article was written by Michael Josephson (www.charactercounts.org/michael) and applies to golf as well as life. We all need to take responsibility for our actions and attitudes. Don't forget to enjoy the journey.

Watch your thoughts; they lead to attitudes.
Watch your attitudes; they lead to words.
Watch your words; they lead to actions.
Watch your actions; they lead to habits.
Watch your habits; they form your character.
Watch your character; it determines your destiny.

These words of unknown origin tell us that our silent and often subconscious choices shape our future. Every aspect of our lives, at home and at work, can be improved if we use our power to think, reflect, and make conscious choices about our thoughts, attitudes, words, actions, and habits.

Instead, many of us think of ourselves as victims. We complain about our circumstances and what others did to us. Whatever psychological comfort there is in feeling powerless and blameless when things aren't going right, in the end, victims lead unsatisfied lives.

We're most vulnerable to victimitis when we're under the influence of powerful emotions like fear, insecurity, anger, frustration, grief, or depression. These feelings are so powerrful, we believe our state of mind is inevitable. Our only hope is they will go away on their own. Yet it's during times of emotional tumult that using our power to choose our thoughts and attitudes is most important. We can't make pain go away, but we can refuse to suffer.

Even when we don't like any of our choices, we do have some -- once we realize we can take control. It isn't easy, but what we do and how we choose to feel about ourselves has a profound impact on the quality of our lives. Victims may get sympathy for a while, but that isn't enough.
Taking personal responsibility for our happiness and success can be scary, but the payoff is enormous. Although we can't make our lives perfect, we can make them better -- usually a lot better.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

*(Editor's note: The opening poem is widely attributed to Frank Outlaw on the Web, but we've found no confirmation that this is the correct source. Popular quotation books including Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, Roget's International Thesaurus of Quotations, and The Harper Book of Quotations don't include it or any reference to Frank Outlaw. In 2003, we received an e-mail message from a reader who claimed to have penned the verse and sent it in 1998 to members of an e-mail group of people living with lupus. Another e-mailer, however, noted that he first came upon the poem in 1996 at a workshop in the UK.)

The Cats

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:30:00 +0000

What an experience! Pat (Blalock) and I were invited to play in the Birnam Woods Member/Guest last Friday as guests of former WSCGA Director, Diane Wootton.

Everything started on Thursday night, as we also stayed with Diane and her seven (yes, count them, SEVEN) cats. My assignment was to learn all of their names before I checked out on Friday morning. So…here it goes. The three boys are Rambo, Bogey and Tai Ping Snowshoes. The four girls are Miss Bacall, Miss Ling Ling, Ming Woo and Su Chang. They were / are wonderful creatures, not to mention being quite well-taken care of (hmm…maybe a little spoiled) by Diane. As for me, I just enjoyed being graced by their presence and was honored when Miss Bacall and Bogey chose to share my bed. That was special.

I only wish I could say as much about my golf game!

Vicki

Welcome to the WSCGA Blog!

noreply@blogger.com (WSCGA) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:44:00 +0000

Greetings!

This is the first WSCGA blog. Visit this site to find out what's going on with the WSCGA or to read about other items of interest.

Blah-Blah-Blogging will officially start on June 16th. See you then!