LADIES 18 HOLE GOLF LEAGUE

Lake Fairways 18 Hole Ladies League 

 May/June Submitted by Gloria Craven 

 Like playing golf, I'm just starting.  I’m taking over writing for the Ladies League.  I have big “golf shoes” to fill, as Michelle Gregg has aptly written for us and submitted to the Informer for quite a while.  She gave me some sage advice: “Just be you, use your voice” ….so friends, here it goes!

 Ladies Grand Shootout: March 17, 2022 on St. Patrick’s Day. The Grand Shoot Out was very well attended.  So many turned out to root for our 12 Qualifiers who had put a season’s long effort into attaining such a coveted spot.  The winners, were supported by many observers in their traditional red Lake Fairways, garb.  But some female leprechaun, yet unnamed, got out the green tutu's and the crowd just couldn't resist but join in the fun.  So our sea of Red and Green, (no it was not Christmas) cheered on our winners: Karen Pierce, 1st place, Lu McEwen, 2nd place and Lucy Jaromin 3rd place.  The unofficial photographer, might have caught the leprechauns on digital (see below).  Does anyone know who they may be?...lol.  Karen’s trophy is truly beautiful and so well deserved.     

 Newly Elected Board:  On March 29, 2022 our Board of Directors was sworn in.  

 Annie Souza – President

 Cathy Reid – Vice President

 Fay Kline – Secretary

 Karen Pierce – Treasurer 

Sandie Gordon – Handicap Chair 

Dede Martin – Games Chair 

Special Thanks to those who have stepped up to fill vacancies and also to those who are just leaving the board, who have served us all so well: Lu McEwen, Nancy Sweet, Lynn Festa and Maryellen McCabe. 

 Some members followed Pastor Dede Martin’s advice and wore hats and gloves to our ceremony.  Fun, right?  Penny Farr said she had to use her gardening gloves...but she used new ones!  

 Most Improved Member:   Maryellen kept us all in suspense and really guessing when she announced and awarded the Most Improved Trophy to: Kellie Bilton.  She noted that Kellie has not golfed much when in Canada and that her improvement in the last month just put her on the radar screen.  She improved her handicap by 6 strokes!  Amazing.   

 SEA GOLF:  This new column is based on a Floridian's attitude toward the game we all love.  Apparently, saying “Swing Easy” is good luck so this new “Advice column...aka SEA Golf is designed to capture some “good luck advice” or story that we can all appreciate. 

 This month, it made sense to turn to our most unexpected story, Kellie Bilton’s surprise selection as Most Improved.  When this author asked her to offer her thoughts in this column, she noted:  “I really didn’t see this coming.  But when Maryellen said this golfer doesn’t golf much back up north and has been in the league just 2 years I thought to myself, gee... she sounds like me.  I was really surprised!  I really benefited from playing a lot and watching how others swing.  Good golfers like Kathy McIntosh have been really helpful.  I had to call my friends in Canada though, and let them know to sign me up for the ladies league there!  Gotta keep playing.    

LADIES 18 HOLE GOLF LEAGUE Submitted by Michelle Gregg 

 Whew!  This past month has been a crazy fun time!  We had our league championship rounds, then Pine Lakes and Lake Fairways took it to the course”, the Grand Shootout happened, and new officers are now in charge. 

Women’s Championship Flight Champion—Kathy McIntosh and Runner-Up—Val McIntosh

 Women’s A Flight Champion Dede Martin and Runner-up Annie Souza

 Women’s B Flight Champion Sandie Gordon and Runner-Up Cathy Burns 

Women’s C Flight Champion Karen Pierce and Runner-Up Freda Bennett

 Women’s D Flight Champion Francine Kline and Runner-Up Shirley Beaton

 Women’s 9 Hole Flight Champion Leyone Edmondson and Runner-Up Linda Sullivan 

We then played against Pine Lakes in a two-day event.  We were ahead 19-6 after the first day.  It takes 25 points to win. The next day the weather took a bad turn with heavy winds and rain.  Things were not looking good at that point for our neighbors, so they up and conceded the total match.  So…WE KEEP THE TROPHY AGAIN!! 

The Grand Shootout took place on Thursday, March 17, on the front 9.  Competing were Sandi Keefer, Penny Farr, Karen Pierce, Sandy Young, Freda Bennett, Val Mcintosh, Dede Martin, Francine Kline, Lu McEwen, Lucy Jaromin, Brenda McGuire, and Carole Andrews.  Alternates were Sandie Gordon, Nancy Kelly, and Barb Flournoy.  After finishing the front-nine challenge, Karen Pierce won the trophy and bragging rights.  Lu McEwen was second, and Lucy Jaromin was third.

Finally, on March 29, the officers for next year will be inducted.  They are Past President Lu McEwen, President Annie Souza, Vice-President Cathy Reid, Secretary Fay Kline, Treasurer Karen Pierce, Games Chair Dede Martin, and Handicap Chair Sandie Gordon.  

As of this writing, I do not know who won the Most Improved Player trophy. 

 Also, at our final meeting players receive money bonuses for birdies, eagles and ringers. And so, ends the big events for our league. 

 It was a wonderful season because we were back playing with our northern friends. We continue league play through April, but our numbers begin to dwindle each week.

 Have a safe journey wherever your travels will take you! 

LADIES 18 HOLE GOLF LEAGUE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP IS HERE!!!! 

Submitted by Michelle Gregg  

This coming Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6, are the Club Championship rounds for both the men and the women.  All the maneuvering, handwringing and mind games now come to the forefront.  Forget the qualifying stuff…forget that we are all friends…just keep your head down! We play these two days according to our handicaps, which determine in which flight we compete.

 The women’s league challengers are listed below: 

Championship Flight:  Cathy McIntosh vs. Val McIntosh 

A Flight:  Dede Martin vs. Annie Souza 

B Flight:  Cathy Burns vs. Sandie Gordon

 C Flight:  Freda Bennett vs. Karen Pierce

 D Flight:  Shirley Beaton vs. Francine Kline 

Once the weekend is over, however, we move on to the Interclub Championship the following weekend:   Lake Fairways vs. Pine Lakes.  Now those same above challengers are united to win against our neighbors for the honor of bragging rights.  Again.  Plus, we could get our names on the large trophy at the clubhouse.  Again.  They keep challenging us, but we keep winning.  Again. And again.  And… again!! Just when we might take a breather from all of this fun, we will have our Grand Shootout on March 16. 

Due to Covid concerns, we will not have our annual Member/Guest tournament.  Nor will we have a special off-site venue for our Awards Luncheon.  

The awards and installation of officers will take place on March 29th at the clubhouse. Thus will the big events of the season culminate.  League play does continue through April, but each week we will have fewer players as our snowbirds return north. 

 Our numbers may dwindle, but those of us who remain will continue to tee up on Wednesdays and play golf with our sisters and laugh and grimace at our silly shots and cheer for the good ones.    

 RALLY FOR THE CAUSE:  Parkinson’s Disease 

Submitted by Michelle Gregg 

On Saturday, February 20, 2022, the Ladies Golf League is once again sponsoring its annual fundraising event, this year for the Parkinson’s Foundation. Over the past few years, this rally has raised over $4,000 annually. All residents of Lake Fairways are eligible to take part in the challenges. First is the Hole-in-One Contest. For a $10 donation, a person will have 3 tries at a perfect shot on Hole One. If the ball goes in, that individual will receive a year’s free golf from ELS. And for the woman and man who land closest to the pin, a $300 reduction in a six-month or more membership. We would like to see ELS have to pay for MANY fees!! 

Second is the Specially Final Putting Challenge. The practice green will have a specially lined course for golfers to exhibit their prowess at putting. Think of it as a mini-mini golf game. The winners will receive a $50 gift certificate.  In both cases, you can pay again and play as many times as you would like. All the proceeds are donated. The final challenge is to buy raffle tickets on amazing baskets full of lovely, donated gifts, plus raffle tickets on the “Phillips’ 55” ROKU” Smart Television. Also, the ladies are sponsoring a silent auction of donated items, many handmade, by our residents. For those who need nourishment, a $5 lunch of a hot dog/ burger, chips and soda will be available. This is a terrific event. And Lake Fairways residents can simply donate at the tent and not take part in the challenge. Look at what we did at Christmas! Let’s do that again for Parkinsons! 

 LADIES GOLF LEAGUE’S BUSIEST MONTH

 Submitted by Michelle Gregg 

Once February hits, the ladies league goes into high gear.  It is the start of the Club Championship. All contenders were to sign up for the challenge by January 31st.  On February 9, the first round of elimination begins.  They are grouped by handicaps. Ladies are paired up by similar handicaps, and they then play a single elimination match play game. The winners are then reassigned a competitor for Round Two on February 16.  Depending on the number who have signed up, Round Three might be required on February 23. Think of it as our version of the bracketing for the Final Four in basketball. The remaining two competitors per flight will then meet in the actual Club Championship on March 5-6.  You can keep track of who is playing who by looking at the large glass board behind the Pro Shop. All pairings and results will be posted there. It may not be The Masters or The U.S. Open, but it is so much fun (and so nerve wracking for those playing). And a player never knows if the good twin or the evil twin will be guiding her shots.  

On January 20th, Val McIntosh, Sandie Gordon, Judy Chase, Nancy Munro, Heather Orr, Shirley Beaton, Freda Bennett, Carole Andrews, Annie Souza, and Nancy Kelly met on the front nine to compete for the monthly shootout. Winning was 1st Place - Freda Bennett; 2nd Place - Brenda MaGuire; 3rd Place - Carol Andrews.

 GOLFING WITH THE LADIES 18 HOLERS  

Submitted by Michelle Gregg

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Last month I spoke of the party for the Jaromins, and I have to mention that we had another party, our annual Christmas party, after golf on December 1. Every year we play a crazy and wacky game on this day, and then we gather in the clubhouse to enjoy lunch together. We are always served by special elves who make us smile and laugh. And for our door prizes this year, many of us were able to take away a special piece of quiltwork done by our friend, Sandy Uhlin. That was a fitting ending to a fine day.

On Saturday, December 11, DeDe Martin had her sixth (I’m not kidding, and no, I’ve never had even one) hole-in-one, this time on #5. She is a becoming a legend, for sure.

On Thursday, December 16, we had our monthly shootout on the back nine. Qualifying were Sandie Gordon, Paula Morrison,
Cathy Burns, Freda Bennett, Sandy Young, Linda Gromacki, Lucy Jaromin, Annie Souza, Nancy Kelly, and Mary Buchman. Emerging as the victor was Sandy Young. Lucy Jaromin finished second, and Freda Bennett came in third.

The next shootout will be January 20. The ladies will qualify for that on January 12.

And then, suddenly, it is 2022!!! This is a big month for all the leagues. On the 2nd and 3rd, we will have our annual two-day New Year’s Tournament, followed by an awards ceremony on the 9th. Shootouts will still be a fun way to spend our time, and we will be getting in the necessary rounds to enable us to be in the qualifying rounds during February for the club championship, our major event of the year.

Time just dragged during 2020, but since September of this year, time is flying by. During our monthly tournaments, weekly play, and Sunday Couples, I just love to stop and listen to the laughing and hoops and hollers that ring across the course. It tells me that life is getting better…we are having fun again. And we all hope and pray that it continues to improve. Enjoy!

 GOLFING WITH  THE LADIES 18  HOLERS  Submitted by Michelle  Gregg

 We had a party. And it was a great one! The Golf Association,  Ladies League and the  Men’s League hosted an  open house celebration  for Jerry and Lucy  Jaromin.  On November 14th, almost 200 people welcomed the very surprised couple into the hall. It was  especially great because so many of our Canadian  friends, after 19 months away, were there to share in  the fun. To see the happiness in everyone’s eyes was so  very heartwarming. We had a great spread of food and  libations to make it even better. And just before the  dancing began, we presented them with a check for  $3,850. Considering they took care of us for 19 years, it  was a small gesture of our appreciation. In addition, Bill  Chapman, our pro, gave them an engraved plaque honoring their years of service as ELS employees. And the best part is they will still be here with us enjoying 

their retirement. Kudos to them. 

As for the ladies league, our numbers and fun continue to increase as members return. Some of us took part in the annual Turkey Trot tournament on the 15th where Dave Shearer had his 2nd hole-in-one in just a week.  Amazing stuff, that. 

On the 18th, the following ladies qualified for the November shootout: Estelle Lizotte, Annie Souza, Barb Flournoy, Sandie Gordon, 

Michelle Gregg, Judy Chase, Lu McEwen, Lucy Jaromin, Karen Pierce, and Mary Buchman.

 Karen Pierce took First Place, followed by Lu McEwen and Sandie Gorden.  Everyone in the park is welcome to be a spectator when they tee off each month.

 December 1st is our annual Christmas party and meeting. This will be an especially poignant luncheon where we plan to honor our past member, Sandy Uhlin.  Sandy was a prolific quilter, and many of her pieces will be prizes for our members. She was loved by all, and all will love to have a remembrance made by her.

 A Few Golf Rules for Seniors. 

There shall be no such thing as a lost ball. The missing ball is on or near the course and will eventually be found and pocketed by someone else, thus making it a stolen ball. The player is not to compound the felony by charging him or herself with a penalty.  

If a putt passes over a hole without dropping, it is deemed to have dropped. The law of gravity supersedes the law of golf. 

A ball sliced or hooked into the rough shall be lifted and placed on the fairway at a point equal to the distance it carried or rolled into the rough with no penalty. The senior should not be penalized for tall grass which grounds keepers failed to mow.  

There is no penalty for a so-called “out of bounds”. If penny-pinching golf club owners bought sufficient land, this would not occur. The golfer deserves an apology, not a penalty.  

There is no penalty for a ball in a water hazard, as golf balls should float. 

Senior golfers should not be punished for manufacturers’ short

Congratulations to our

 November  Shootout Winners: First: Karen Pierce Second: Lu McEwen Third: Sandi Gordor

The Ladies 18 Hole League is in full swing (pun intended).  Our force is slowly growing week by week as more Snowbirds arrive.  As of October 15, we had 20 ladies on the books.  We hope to reach 70 in season.

The League has pre-planned games for each Wednesday.  Sometimes we scramble, sometimes we shamble, and sometimes we match play.  Twice monthly we play our own game; one of those dates is qualifying for the monthly shootout.

We held our first shootout on Thursday, September 23.  Qualifying were Sandi Keefer, DeDe Martin, Judy Judge, Estelle Lizotte, Lucy Jaromin, Sung Kingston, Karen Pierce, Nancy Sweet, Lynne Festa, and Judy Chase.  While completing just the first hole, the heavens opened with a torrent of rain, and we all raced for cover.  Play continued on Sunday the 26th.  Emerging victorious was Sandi Keefer, 1st ($15);DeDe, 2nd ($10); and Lucy Jaromin, 3rd ($5).  Qualifying on October 13 for the shootout on October 21 were DeDe Martin, Francine Kline, Karen Pierce, Estelle Lizotte, Judy Chase, Mary Buchman, Nancy Sweet, Lucy Jaromin, Penny Farr, and Gloria Craven.

Since the results of our events sometime conflict with the Informer’s monthly submission deadline of the 15th, the October event has already occurred.  You are, however, kept up-to-date on our happenings at any time by going to lakefairwayshoa.com. Plus, everyone in the Park is welcome to be a part of the gallery.  Come on out and enjoy watching some fun golf.

Once again, we send out a HUGE thank you to Lucy and Jerry Jaromin for their service at our Pro Shop.