December 2, 2022 – The last page on the 2022 calendar is in front of us. “Oh no!” you are shrieking to yourself. “I’ve got so much to do!” WGC ladies, it is time to run to the Country Club and renew your GHIN handicap fee. Yes, it is $30. Also, have you renewed your WGC membership? The form is on our web site and found in the pro shops too. Wouldn’t it just be horrible if you made an ace on Hole #9 at Highlands or #18 at Dogwood and you hadn’t renewed for 2023 and joined the hole-in-one option? You never know…! And to the ladies out there considering the WGC – since a handicap is required for playing in the WGC, take three scorecards to the Golf Office at the Country Club and enroll in the GHIN system. That will establish you for WGC play. Then go to the App Store, download the GHIN app and post new scores. Fill out the 2023 membership form and join in the fun, friendship, and the spirit of the game we all love. Everyone, please share with your neighbors and friends an invitation to join the WGC. Only a few more calendar pages and we will be teeing it up in the warm spring sunshine.

The WGC gave the Animal Shelter $600 in 2022 from our charity fund. The main source of our money raised for charity is from the Closest to the Pin opportunity on play days.

The BV Animal Shelter was very appreciative for our donation. They have several pressing needs at this time of year, one of which is for Purina One Dry Puppy food. They have about 20 new puppies which they need to feed for 6 to 8 weeks before the puppies can be placed. If you would like to help the Animal Shelter further, please consider donating these items as well as the puppy food: OnoBan, Bleach, Purina One Dry Dog Food, Purina Kitten Food and Cat Flea and Tick prevention.

Pictured above is Jan Simms with Nancy Cullins, Animal Shelter Executive Director

The final two teams were Liz Adams and Carolyn Merritt versus Brenda Alexander and Vicki Styles.

The first match was played Thursday afternoon with Alexander/Styles winning 3 and 2. The championship match was played Friday morning with Alexander/Styles winning 5 and 4.

Brenda Alexander and Vicki Styles are the 2022 Match Play Madness Champions! Congratulations to all 4 players! Check out all the play on the Match Play Madness website by clicking here! MPM Final Match Pics

It is my distinct honor and pleasure to present to you the 2022 Hall of Fame inductee. The Hall of Fame requirements state that “The purpose is to recognize those women who in the eyes of the membership have given unselfishly to serve and promote our organization, demonstrated by their performance on and off the golf course.” Our recipient this year has gone above and beyond in her actions on behalf of the Women’s Golf Club.

Let me add that there were several excellent nominees and the choice is always difficult. If your candidate was not chosen, please support her by nominating her again next year. The nominations do not carry forward. They must be re-submitted each year.

Our newest Hall of Fame member joined the WGC in 2003. It appears her game benefitted from a couple of summers worth of play as she won the Most Improved Award in 2005. Over the early years of her membership in the WGC, our newest HOF member served on the following committees: Closest to the Pin, Handicap, Pairings, Scoring, Membership, Special Tournaments and Communications! She had her first hole-in-one in 2009 and was one of 10 Arvest Perfect Attendance Award winners in 2012!!!

With her acquired knowledge of the inner workings of the WGC after working on all those committees, she was named Vice President. That was, of course, followed up with being President and then the Past President. But that was only the beginning of her service to the organization.

In the early 2010s the club had a “Griffith Challenge” award. Former sponsor Griffith Motors provided prize money for winners based on points earned while playing Low Gross Low Net games throughout the year. After a couple of years, the Griffith Challenge morphed into a competition which included EVERY PLAY DAY and points were awarded for participation and up to 4th place finishes! In other words, hello spreadsheet data entry!!! Our nominee volunteered for at least one year of doing that data entry and probably more. Up to this point in time, she has served as the chair of Scoring, Pairings and Closest to the Pin for at least 2 years each.

She also happens to be responsible for one of our Club Championship rules! When playing the Club Championship one year, our inductee shot one of the four lowest rounds of the first day ... but she was not in the first flight. Players thought that the pressure of playing the second day with those who also shot the lowest rounds was only fair. For the record, our inductee went on to win the Club Net Championship that year. And this rule has since been applied over and over again.

Last, but not least, our inductee “was the force behind the creation of our Hall of Fame! She gathered some members and solicited input on how the Club might recognize the women” who had generously supported the Club over the years.

It is my privilege to announce the newest member of the WGC Hall of Fame ...

our most humble and gracious friend ...

Kathy Zumbro!!! ---Presented by Sue Jacobson

Thursday, October 27, 2022 – The season’s end has arrived just as the fall leaves are changing colors and scattering to the ground. Looking back at our 2022 WGC season we reminisce about our friendships, the laughter, our favorite rounds of golf, and maybe that special shot of the year. From the Golf Genius workshop at Highlands in March, the cold beer and snacks on the breezy patio at Dogwood, to the fall breakfast and meeting at the Country Club – what a great year! Fun can put a smile on your face! The WGC welcomed 14 new members in 2022. There were three holes-in-one, which reminds us all to sign-up for next year and contribute to the hole-in-one pot. You’ve got to join to be in the money, and sadly one member missed out. You just never know! Congratulations again to our Club Champions Penny Williams, Barb Tiedemann, Rhonda Dutton, and Janet Swafford. Special congratulations and hugs to Kathy Zumbro, our newest winner of the Hall of Fame. (Check out the presentation writeup in the article below.) We have amazing ladies in the WGC. Yes, the 2022 season has drawn to a close, but now we can order those new clubs, sign-up for lessons, and grab a tee time. Practice is not just for piano players, so as we navigate life, the holidays, and colder weather, let’s remember spring always comes and so will our 2023 season. See you all around the Village and on the golf course.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022 – Tradition, Tradition!! For eleven years the MGA and the WGC have been playing a scramble together. This year it was the MGA’s turn to host our annual event at Kingswood Golf Course. For twelve bucks around 80 players signed-up to participate. No one could buy this much fun for such a steal. Most of the 21 teams were made-up of two men and two women. Spouses were not paired together. Today was all about fun, socializing, meeting new friends, winning a few bucks, and (of course) comparing skills! The end-of-summer weather started getting a bit hot and humid near the end, but Arvest was all prepared and ready to greet us at the Riordan pavilion. Their hamburgers were divine, really delicious. Soon the hoopin’ and hollerin’ about winning took over – what fun! Eleven years now we’ve been doing this; what an exciting event on our calendar! Way to go, MGA, and thanks for hosting this year. We are the WGC and 2023 will be a sure winner too.

Thursday, September 15, 2022 – Two beautiful days, perfect weather for our WGC Club Championship. Congratulations to Penny Williams, Barb Tiedemann, Rhonda Dutton and Janet Swafford. Everyone sends hugs and praise for their stellar golf on the Country Club course on Wednesday the 14th and on Kingswood the second day. Many comments shared involved the putting. “Ouch” and “ugly” were some of the most descriptive words, referring to the fast greens. Hope most of you escaped multiple three putts! If you missed playing in the Club Championship, please add it to your calendar for 2023. The foursomes, and the threesomes also, found abundant joy and laughter. There were tons of prizes too. At the luncheon, in the beautiful hall of the New Life Christian Church, Papa Mike’s treated us with a delicious Mexican spread. And the lemon cake for dessert was a winner! The table centerpiece greens were adorable. The 50/50 pot was full: $130 for the WGC, $65 won by Gail Storm and another $65 won by our Red Club Champion, Penny Williams. As we move into October, our season is nearly over. What a terrific golf season 2022 has been. There are still several Thursdays left, and with cooler, fall temperatures in front of us, we hope to see everyone signing up to play. We are the WGC!

August 31, 2022 – Wednesday evening, many from the WGC met for our annual Blu Fish House & Raw Bar feast. It’s fun to see our golfing friends (and dinner dates) all dressed up and out for the evening. All too often we see each other when we are tired, frustrated, or have messy hair hidden by a cap. What did you order? Oysters, clams, salmon dip, coconut shrimp, sushi, Baja tacos, fish and chips, or the catch of the day. There’s something on their menu for everyone, such as “long chicken” for some darling grandsons who were in attendance and adamant that they don’t eat fish! And the conversations, so much laughter about golf stories, woes about bad shots, and how we always return for tomorrow’s round. At one table Denise Arredondo was invited to join and play at Dogwood the very next morning. She joined the WGC on the spot! Welcome aboard, Denise. But, the story of the evening has to be the couple who came up to Patty and asked what was going on? Why was Blu Fish so busy? Patty explained about the annual fund-raiser for the Bella Vista WGC. The man opened his wallet and tucked a “Benjamin” into Patty’s hand. "Something for your golf league", he said. (Those who never have cash on them, that’s a $100 bill!) Wow!! Good food, laughter, friendships, and many delightful stories – that was the WGC evening at Blu Fish House.

As August begins to wind down, it’s time to start thinking of September and our special activities. Our Club Championship, which highlights the WGC season, is nearly upon us. Day One, Wednesday, September 14, we are at the Bella Vista Country Club and for Day Two, Thursday, the 15th, we will play Kingswood. Please, all WGC ladies, please consider participating in our Club Championship. No excuses! There are so many prizes and awards – your name might be on one! Plus, our luncheon will be at New Life Christian Church on Riordan Road. Sounds like a winner for all of us. Another activity headed our way is Tuesday, September 20. The MGA will be hosting our annual, joint scramble. The flyer for that “jolly, good time” is coming soon. So, September is full of events and lots of golf. Join in, sign up, and we’ll see everyone at the golf course!

Thursday, 7/21/22, Highlands. Good golly, Miss Molly, but it’s been hot lately. Summertime hot. Today nearly 50 of us ventured out braving the sticky heat. At the finish, the temperature was about 95. Let’s hope our scores were lower than that, maybe closer to the SPF number of the sun block we were coated with. So, those who stayed home because of the heat, were you enjoying your free morning sitting under the fan sipping sun tea? (We missed you!) Did you study the 24 rules of golf for something to do? Or was it the perfect morning to dig around your closet and sort golf shirts, which probably number around 53. How many of those are from 2011 or thereabouts? Here it is nearly the end of July. The days are growing shorter minute by minute. If only they would cool down degree by degree to meet our comfort zone. Yes, it’s been hot all month, but we are willing most of the time to don a goofy-looking, wide-brimmed hat, show up, and find a few good laughs in this crazy game that we all love. We are the WGC and we aren’t going to even consider quitting. There’s always a breeze. Hope to see you next Thursday.

June 30, The 2022 WGC Firecracker. Red, White and Blue – what a great patriotic group, what a fun day. Yes, it started getting a little hot on the Country Club course, but our American, can-do spirit carried us through all 18 holes. However, did you hear, “What game are we playing now?” A new format was introduced to us today for the Firecracker. 6/6/6. Holes 1-6 were a two-person scramble. Holes 7-12 played the alternating shot and Holes 13-18 were two-person best ball. That alternating shot – did you put your partner’s shot in the sand? Or worse yet, in the drink? Oh no! Laughter or tears...sublime to the ridiculous. Yet, wasn’t it fun to be out there, once again, all decked-out in our American colors playing golf in Bella Vista?

On to Riordan Hall for our mid-season meeting and luncheon. Gayle Placial invited Jayme Lingo, the Event and Fundraising Director of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, to be our guest speaker. Sheep Dog helps our veterans and first responders overcome PTSD, injuries, depression and anxiety. This organization is keeping the wolves away from a lot of doors. Please share their message about a truly American non-profit. By the way, our WGC collected and donated $492. to them. Thank You!

As we relished our Papa Mike’s lunch, Karen Owens guided us smoothly through our meeting. Membership was informed about a ten dollar fee increase for 2023, all because prices everywhere are going up. Time for prizes! Patty Walker and Cheryl Kautzer each won $75. from the 50/50 Raffle. And all those ties for the golf tournament. Wow! There was some really good golf today, and, for some, well, they felt more like little Lady Fingers than Bombs or Rockets. Ladies, we are so blessed. The beautiful Country Club course, the friendships and conversations, and the laughter – all enough to entice us to be back for more.

See all the pics here!

Our WGC Bulletin Board. Next time you see Amy Parker, thank her for the eye-catching WGC bulletin board outside Papa Mike’s. What – you haven’t noticed? Last fall our club’s bulletin board had become an embarrassment adorned with cobwebs, dried leaves, and faded, out-of-date flyers. It certainly wasn’t inviting to anyone seeking a golf group. Part of the problem was a rumor that all the bulletin boards at that entrance were going to be dismantled and removed. Up stepped Amy. Voila – an amazing bulletin board. Valentines for February, shamrocks for March, Easter bunnies for April, spring flowers for May and patriotic flags currently, and always an inviting welcome to join the WGC and our activities. Please stop for a glimpse the next time you play at Kingswood or dine at Papa Mike’s, and give Amy a huge, deserving Thank You. Let us know what you think.

June 2, Scotsdale, a perfect day to welcome three new members into the WGC. Linda Balistreri is a returning member into the league. Good choice, Linda! She’s been in Northwest Arkansas for 21 years and is originally from Wisconsin. Laura Blumenstein joined because after 27 years with Walmart, she finally has time for golf. Laura has resided in the area since 2000, and she’s originally from Minnesota. Betty Whittington isn’t new to the area either. She’s played a lot with the 9-hole club, but wanted to play more frequently. Betty is originally from Stillwater, OK, but is now a Razorback fan. Ladies, welcome to the WGC.

We were Willing! We were Ready! We, the WGC, pulled it off. That menacing red blob staring at us on the radar was threatening early Thursday morning, May 19, but it was going to take more than a few sprinkles to deter us. Member-Friend Day is behind us with laughter, joy and smiles firmly embedded on our minds. What an amazing game! What an amazing group! And those new carts are now at Kingswood. Love that shade of gray! The thunder, lightning and shower had over eighty members and guests huddled in the pro shop or in their carts waiting for Roger’s booming voice to say “Go!” The 50/50 Raffle was kept inside, but after play at the Riordan pavilion, the chance to buy into the fun opened up again.

Darrin Hewitt, from Edward Jones, once again graciously treated us to lunch. Wesner’s Grill in Rogers (a good place for a yummy farm-hand breakfast) catered the barbecue meat and sides, and Bella Vista Wine & Spirits provided beverages. Michael Morris, from Dallas and representing Franklin Templeton, had a timely presentation about investing and the stock market. He encouraged us to remember to buy low and sell high. One member said that reminded her of a par three drive – you know – when the shot was perfect for a blue flag but the flag that time was red.

And the winner was Betty Whittington, friend and guest of Judy Lemoine. Betty took home a sweet $95. Plus, friends also took home CTP and Longest Putt prizes. Did you and your partner win and split the $10? No? Not this year. The WGC calendar is chock-full of more rounds and chances for prizes. Remember, We are Willing, We are Ready, We are the WGC!

Here it is, May 12. We have been Willing! We have been Ready! We have been rained out, and we have been rained on. That was at Dogwood, April 28th, for the first two holes. (Have you forgotten the showers, er downpour?) Then we turned the calendar page to May and guess what? It rained all week and flooded some of our courses. Thus we were canceled. Again!

Which brings us to May 12th. Our schedule reads Country Club. Nope, not this time. So off to Scotsdale with the first tee time at 11:00. Yikes! It’s the hottest week of the season. Our heating/cooling systems went from heat to cool faster than maintenance can clear silt off a green. Let’s hope our scores are not as high as the afternoon temperatures.

But, as “they” say – whatever. Just don’t forget Member/Friend Day on the 19th. The 50/50 Raffle will be luring you to join in the mix. We will continue our golfing adventures because We are Willing, We are Ready, We are the WGC.

What a success! We were READY...We were WILLING...We are a GENIUS.

The WGC Golf Genius Workshop on Thursday, March 17, ebbed and flowed with around 50 ladies signing up for the WGC or the GHIN system, or Match Play Madness and Golf Genius.

I-Phones, Samsung Galaxies, Androids and I-Pads were busy downloading new apps, mainly Golf Genius. Members stopped at stations learning and practicing live scoring, signing-up to play, and member portals.

What fun! Everyone was helping and sharing with someone else. Not there? Just ask someone for help. These new apps and changes are fun. We all can do this! Soon the fairways will be as green as all the shirts were.

No one left hungry as the spread looked like a cruise-ship buffet. Besides, ladies were just flowing into the Highlands bar area to enjoy more camaraderie and to celebrate St Patrick’s Day over a lunch-time beverage. And now with that new app, we are now a Golf Genius.

Click here or on the above pic for all the pics from this event!