Season End 2014-Spring 2015

Fairway Observer Volume 12, Number 1 www.wganj.com Message from the Chair As we enter into another season, I can’t help but think about all of the effort that the Board of Directors and so many volunteers have put in during the off season. We’ve added more courses and more opportunities to learn and play, especially for new golfers. We know that the founders of WGANJ wanted to create an organization with the goal of providing women the best opportunities to learn, play and compete at in NJ. With that in mind I look around and realize how many new members we have who might not know the story of WGANJ and I think this is a BethAnn Iapicco, good opportunity to share. 2015 President In the fall of 2002 a group of women who love the game decided that NJ needed a local organization dedicated to golf for women with the sole intent of providing the best opportunities to learn, play and compete at golf in NJ. They structured the all-volunteer organization with a Board of Directors and a Governance Committee to make sure all efforts led the organization in a single direction. Knowing this effort would take serious cash, they raised the money through contributions. They asked women to donate either $100 and become a ‘Founding Member’ or $50 and become a ‘Hall of Fame Member’ and before they knew it, WGANJ had a bank account with $5,000 seed money. The organization was incorporated as a 501c Non-Profit Organization and was on the way. Ceil Karafky took the reins as WGANJ’s first President and leaned heavily on the Board of Directors to make this the best organization that they could. These women met throughout the fall and winter, working tirelessly to pull the pieces together and opened member registration in February of 2003. In that first year WGANJ offered twenty leagues as well as social events to give members an opportunity to get to know each other better. Since then WGANJ has grown to nearly 500 members with thirty leagues at fourteen courses and multiple social events, parties and trips sprinkled in. The current Board of Directors continues to strive to make this the best organization for NJ women golfers and the Governance Board, still made up of all founding members, keeps us on track and focused on the goal. The current Board of Directors includes Kerri Donnelly, Membership Officer, with director Pat Schumacher; Lori Dugan, Events Officer, with directors Sharon Johnson, Events and Joann Jordan, WGANJ Store; Pat Roque, Marketing and Social Media Officer, with directors Pura Rios, Marketing and Margaret Bryzk, Sponsorship; Lorie Saettler, Finance Officer with director Barbara Adamek; Juliet Sisti, Leagues & Education Officer with directors Valerie Oakes-Locascio, Leagues and Jeanette Kirazian Handicap and Captains; and finally Patty ‘Blaze’ Steele, Operations Officer, with directors Eva Conover, Communications and Jane Litwinka, Member Database. Together these sixteen women and I work throughout the year to ensure that you have the best opportunities to learn, play and compete at golf in NJ. If you would like to see the process in action, remember that all Board meetings are open to membership. I’m grateful to this group of women for the efforts they put in every day and hope that we give our members the best organization possible with the start of each new season.

In This Issue 2015 Open House • PGA Tour Superstore Event • The Relaxed Rules of Golf • 2014 Photos and Event Recaps • Upcoming Events and so much more!! MGA Play Days are Back! Upcoming Events The 2015 MGA Play Day lineup is set and features a great in 2015 mix of private and public courses in , and . Check the website for complete details and to register for these exciting events! • Woodmere Club, Woodmere, N.Y. Monday, June 8 Register Here

Vemont Trip • Shackamaxon Country Club, Scotch Plains, N.J. Monday, July 6 Register Here August 7-9 Check website for details soon • Doral Arrowwood , Rye Brook, N.Y. Wednesday, July 29 (9-hole event) Register Here

WGANJ Cup • Sterling Farms Golf Club, Stamford, Conn. Thursday, September 10 Register Here September 13 Check website for details soon • Harbor Links Golf Course, Port Washington, N.Y. Tuesday, September 22 Register Here

End of Season Outing • Patriot Hills Golf Club, Stony Point, N.Y. September 27 Monday, September 28 Register Here Check website for details soon • Green Brook Country Club, North Caldwell, N.J. Thursday, October 15 Register Here

Cape May Fall Trip • Rye Golf Club, Rye, N.Y. - Monday, October 19 Register Here October 3-4 We hope you will be able to join us for another great season of Check website for details soon Play Days! As always, registration must be completed online at the MGA website www.mgagolf.org . Check the link on the WGANJ Scrambleween homepage to join. October 18 Check website for details soon Please “Like” WGANJ on : www.facebook.com/wganj Monthly Board Meetings Open to all WGANJ Members PGA Tour Superstore, Rt 17 South in Paramus First Tuesday of the Month* Join us on LinkedIn: 6PM – 9PM http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Womens-Golf- *dates vary during the golf season so please Association-New-Jersey check the website for the most up to date information. 2015 Open House Success at Players Club What had 250 legs, great food, great shopping and FUN, FUN, FUN? The WGANJ Open House at the Player’s Club! Hands down, the best showcase of vendors, golf pros and information in recent history. New members garnered from the night put us over the 425 mark at this early part of the season. Walk on opportunities were explored and leagues were filled. All vendors contributed door prizes, all attendees received WGANJ bags and any member who brought a guest received a special prize. A great night!

Four tips to GOLF POSITIVE with Debbie O’Connell Every golfer gets nervous (even the pros) -- and especially on the first tee. PGA Teaching Professional, Debbie O’Connell, encouraged more than 130 WGANJ ladies to stay “Golf Positive.” She offered some simple advice at our recent Open House: Learn to control your thoughts and emotions better on the golf course. “Don’t get nervous - the ONLY thing you CAN control on the golf course is what you wear to play.” Here are four memorable tips to the best golf season ever: 1. Stand like WONDER WOMAN (red cape and shiny headband are optional) 2. FOCUS on your TARGET (not on the water, the bunker, or what you want to AVOID) 3. POSITIVE thoughts (control the voice in your head) 4. BREATHE In golf, as in life, STAY POSITIVE. Thank you, Debbie, we sure will! by Pat Roque PGA Tour Superstore Event Continues to Inspire Members!

The WGANJ PGATSS Friends and Family event was a huge hit! As always, our Premier sponsor treated our members to a relaxing, fun and rewarding shopping event. Over 100 members and their families got together to shop with a great discount given only to our members. Longest drive and closest to the pin contests on the simulators were won by Buffy Wojciehowski (244 yards) and Donna Neiley (within 6 feet). PGA golf equipment professional Bobby Grace was available during the event to custom fit members with his new putter. Several took advantage of the opportunity and I, for one, am looking forward to trying out my new putter and improving my game for the season!

Check Out the Website Home Page for Golf Opportunities During the Season WGANJ tries to keep you informed of any golf opportinities that we feel our members would be interested in during the playing season. We post them on the home page of our site with links to the organization or event. Check often and make the most of the 2015 golf season! If you know if any events that should be posted, please email Patty Steele - Operations Officer - at [email protected] and we will check it out! All postings are subject to board approval. Tournament Golf & Summer Vacation for the Entire Family!

Are you looking for something to do this summer for vacation? If you like competitive golf then we have the thing for you - The World Amateur golf Tournament in August in Myrtle Beach. WGANJ member Linda Smith sent this letter in and we thought the membership may enjoy the suggestion!

You may have heard of me, my name is Linda Smith. I have been playing golf for 12 years and have been with WGANJ for many of them. I have played in The World Am for 8 years. Aside from playing golf with the ladies in the WGANJ, this is the highlight of my golf season. When this tournament is over it is a big letdown. I have made so many friends at this tournament, they were with me when I found out that my mother had passed away. They wanted to drive me back to my hotel (this just shows what a great of a bunch of ladies play in The World Am). This is the largest amateur tournament in the world. People come from 25 countries and 50 states. I have played with ladies from Germany, Scotland and China. Last year there were 3,300 golfers. Ladies play with Ladies and Men play with Men. Last year there were 6 flights for the ladies with approximately 50 ladies in each flight. The flights are broken up by handicap ranges. There are approximately 60 golf courses that are used for the tournament. You are assigned 4 different courses and get these assignments the week before the tournament starts. All women need to have a handicap of 40.4 or less. This year the tournament is from August 31 - September 4. So I guess you are wondering what it cost to play and what you get for your money. Early bird registration is $475. Some people would say that is a lot to pay for a golf tournament. Let’s see what you get for your money (I think it is worth it): 1. Four days of golf with a cart at 4 different courses, shot gun start (if you win your flight or tie for 1st place then you play for the championship on day 5). 2. A goodie bag valued at approximately $300 (example: Shirt, Pull Over, golf towel, sleeve of golf balls & $20.00 gift card to The PGA Tour Superstore, this is what we got last year). 3. Entry for you and a guest as well as your children (20 years old and younger) to the largest 19th hole for 4 nights. A sample of what you find at the 19th hole: food from area restaurants, open bar, live entertainment, golf vendors, golf store, score sheets for each flight showing what place everyone is in and much more. 4. Three days skills contests for each flight at each course. Prizes are given to each winner. Sample of skill contests: Longest Drive, closest to the line and closest to the pin. 5. Prizes for 1st - 5th in each flight as well as a trophy with your name. So while you are out playing golf your family can be enjoying a relaxing day at the beach or many of the other activities there are in Myrtle Beach. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at [email protected] please put World Am or WGANJ in the subject. The web site for the tournament is www.myrtlebeachworldamateur.com Wouldn’t it be fun to have a big showing of the great ladies from the WGANJ at The World Am this year! Hope you can make it and make some great memories like I do each year. Hope to see you in Myrtle Beach August 31st. When you register for the tournament there is a referral program, please put my name & id number 34914 there (thanks). Linda Smith 2014 Holiday Spectacular Breaks All Records! More than two hundred women gathered in Paramus at “The Terrace”, Biagio’s newest and most stunning ballroom, for an elegant evening of celebration. Dinner was served, preceded by an extended cocktail hour where everyone mingled, and caught up, starting the evening off on a fluid note. The event served as the culmination of yet another successful WGANJ season of golf, events, and friendships. During the cocktail hour, members were able to purchase the latest WGANJ fashions from the Store, already looking forward to donning them at next season’s events. Our favorite DJ, Phil Santos, did not disappoint, as everyone filled the dance floor for hours. Phil spectacularly projected WGANJ’S new logo, created by member Patti Vernon, right onto the dance floor. It was really something to see! As in all our events, WGANJ gives back with gifts and door prizes. Gifts included a new logo golf towel in a variety of beautiful colors, and door prizes including various golf items, a TV, gift cards, and golf certificates for foursomes at local courses. In case this wasn’t enough, WGANJ members outdid themselves with donating phenomenal raffle prizes. Pam Arnowitz secured four travel vouchers from Jet Blue, and Margaret Hughes generously donated a one week stay at Hilton Head. Our 50/50 winner went home with nearly $1000...... surely another record breaker. Missed it? Mark that calendar for December 3, 2015! Fall Stay and Play at Seaview Golf & Resort Another successful weekend down at Seaview Golf & Resort! Forty-Six WGANJ Members joined together to make this an inspiring and exciting trip. The Pines Course located at the Seaview Golf Resort welcomed our golfers with beautiful green fairways to match the beautiful sunny day! We all gathered on the patio later toenjoy everyone’s stories of the day; then headed off to dinner. Nightlife is always a fun part for this group; some chose to remain at the resort, while others chose to make a trip to Atlantic City. The next day we enjoyed our delicious brunch before heading off to our last course, the Vineyard Golf Course. Thanks everyone for a another great weekend! We hope you join us in 2015 as we head to Cape May. End-of Season Outing at Cranbury Golf Course

In September, our “End of the Season Outing” was held at the Cranberry Golf Club in Cranberry, NJ. The WGANJ Store was open during registration, then we all enjoyed a delicious breakfast buffet, raffles, and prizes after our President, Beth Ann Iapicco, addressed the group for our last meeting of the season. The weather was perfect, bright and sunny, as we set out for the Shot Gun Start across the landscape. All 60 WGANJ ladies rose to the challenge of this beautiful course, made memorable moments, and had many laughs throughout the day. It was a great day to top off a wonderful golf season. Emerson League Ever Dreamed of Being Outing at Apple Green a Writer? Ever wanted to see your name in print? Maybe you just want to exercise your creative side. Calling all writers… amateur, professional, or even if you just have something to say or share. The Fairway Observer Newsletter is written for members by members. If you have some interesting topic you want to share, if you’ve been to a WGANJ event and want to “cover the story” we would love to have you. Seasonal, local news and topics are all welcome. Golf related or topics that just speak to you and you think WGANJ members would be interested in reading. Newsletter is published twice a year, but articles can be submitted any time to Eva Conover, Communications Last fall, the Thursday Emerson league had their Director, at [email protected] or Patty Steele, own end of year league outing September 21 at Operations Officer, at [email protected]. the Apple Green Golf Club in Highlands, New York. Share your knowledge, ideas, or WGANJ adventures They started by tailgating with bagels and coffee, with us and become a “published” writer! It’s a great then carpooling to te club. The course was wonderful opportunity to share information with over 450 women as always, with great views and apple picking in in northern New Jersey and New York. A wonderful between our shots. A lovely golf day was had by all. platform to get involved with women and golfing! Dinner was held at “Mariners on the Hudson”, 10 minutes from the course in the town of Highland on the Hudson River. The great weather was enjoyed on the outside patio, food was excellent, views were New Message Center spectacular and the atmosphere was very relaxed. Have any questions for the board or wondering League & outing prizes were distributed as the boats about some rules of the organization? Need to ask a and jet skis passed by. What a great day for all that question of the membership? Make sure you check out attended. our new Member Only Message Board on the website. Click here to link right in! It’s just for you!

Volunteers Needed

As you know, WGANJ is an all-volunteer organization. Planning and coordinating leagues and outings take the efforts of many individuals. We can use all the help we can get. If you have time and can make an ongoing commitment to becoming a board member or chairing a committee, we need you. If you have limited time and can assist with planning a single event, coordinate registration for a single outing, welcome new members at an event or reach out to local businesses for sponsorship and support – we need you. Any time you can contribute will help WGANJ and all its members. Please contact [email protected] to discuss your availability and we will help match your time and talent to a real job that needs to be done to make our 2015 season a great success. This is your opportunity to get involved. We at WGANJ pride ourselves on being a dynamic organization that strives to provide great golf opportunities for our members. We rely on your support and active participation to make this happen. Scrambleween at Spooky Brook! For those of you who were not able to attend WGANJ‘s 9th Annual Scrambleween Outing always held at Spooky Brook Golf Course, you missed a wonderful time. Upon arrival everyone received goodie bags filled with special Halloween socks and treats. We then proceeded outside where everyone was busy tapping into their creative side decorating their carts and getting ready for play. As the tee times came closer, the costumes started to appear. We had a variety of costumes that day which included old time golfers, clowns, burlesque women and – seeing double – the Wizard of Oz. After a picture perfect day of playing scramble golf we headed off to Stage House Tavern to announce the prizes for best team score, costume and cart decoration. There was good food, lots of laughs and a great group of women. Better start thinking about your costume for next year. You won’t want to miss this fun outing again! The Relaxed Rules of Golf Make the game of golf easier, faster and more fun! (Courtesy of the Golf Channel, by Matt Ginella and Charlie Rymer)

It seems a Tour player is DQ’ed on a weekly basis. If the professionals and rules experts can’t get it right, what are we to do? Relax the rules, people. You’ll have more fun playing golf. That’s the message with the Relaxed Rules of Golf. Tournament golf is supposed to be full of pressure and stress and challenging conditions combining to identify the best player. Casual golf should be the opposite of those things. When there’s nothing on the line but fun, recreational golf should be an enjoyable experience. Trying to remember and decipher the official rules can get in the way of a good time. You and your friends should pick and choose the rules that best fit the way you all want to play, and enjoy the game. We’re not suggesting that golfers ignore the official rules. But be aware, only 12% of golfers hold handicaps. That means that nearly 90% of golfers do not. When it’s a match among friends, Relaxed Rules can make the game easier, faster and more fun. These simply are common sense practices, and it is how the majority of the game is being played anyway. Adopt some or all of the rules within your group, and have a good time.

Maximum Score – Double Par Max: Golfers should pick up and quit keeping score once they reach “double par.” Isn’t a 6 on a par 3, 8 on a par 4 and 10 on a par 5 punishment enough? Following this simple guideline will speed up the game and help keep beginners from getting too frustrated.

Penalties – 1 stroke, Drop and Go: All penalties should be one stroke, including out of bounds, water and lateral hazards, a lost ball and an unplayable lie. Drop a ball near where the original was lost and play on. This will also save on time and arguments over the interpretations of the golf’s most complex rules. Drop and Go! The drop counts as one.

Search Time – 2 min Max: Spend two minutes looking for a lost ball and no more (not the five they do on the PGA Tour). Once it’s deemed lost, drop and move on. No more nonsense of returning to the tee for a drive out of bounds.

Unfortunate Lies – Roll it and Hit it: Mud-balls, that’s unfortunate. In a divot in the fairway, unfortunate. Lying in goose droppings, very unfortunate. Against a root or on a rock, unfortunate and dangerous. In a footprint in the bunker, unfortunately you are following someone without golf etiquette! Roll the ball over, hit your shot and move on.

Conceded Putts – Inside the Leather: Tap-ins, gimmies, and all balls inside the leather putts may be conceded with your playing partners’ consent. This should be a given in every nontournament round, even in the annual death-match with buddies. Concede more putts to keep things moving along. There’s no reason to make everybody grind over 2-footers all day long.

Equipment – Long Putters (et al) Allowed: Long putters, belly putters, grooves on your wedges, chippers, an extra hybrid, or two! No restrictions, including number of clubs. Any new club designed to help you play better, have at it!

Common Sense – Be Fair and Have Fun: When in doubt, use common sense and fairness. This is the most important offering. Show Your Card Your WGANJ and SAVE! Membership Many golf courses, clubs and stores in the NY Metro Region support WGANJ & Women’s Golf. Some provide gets you Great special discounts to WGANJ members. Those listed below all give discounts and those in bold are linked to Discounts with their sites so check them out! Check our Members Only Section to see the full range of our Partners and discounts and special deals available to you as a WGANJ member. Supporting our Partners and Sponsors is a great Sponsors! way to thank them for supporting WGANJ. PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE - PREMIER SPONSOR • GOLFSMITH • GOLF GALAXY • TEE TIME • HARRINGTON MOVING & STORAGE • US FINANCIAL SERVICES • PARAMUS GOLF • 9 IRON GRILLE • ZIMICK BROTHERS CLEANING SERVICES • YOUNIQUE • NEW JERSEY STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION • UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION • METROPOLITAN GOLF ASSOCIATION • EVAS FRESH • BLAZE DESIGNS • EMERSON GOLF • WILLOWBROOK GOLF CENTER • GOLFTEC

WGANJ Board of Directors

Officers Board Members Board Members Governance Board BethAnn Iapicco, President Barbara Adamek Jane Litwinka Linda Graham Kerri Donnelly Margaret Bryzk Valerie Oakes-Locascio Laura Mariani Lori Dugan Eva Conover Pura Rios Jane Mercante Pat Roque Sharon Johnson Pat Schumacher Advisory Board Lorie Saettler JoAnn Jordan Juliet Sisti Jeanette Kirazian Stephanie Finelli Patty Steele Gerri Scarpa