Womens Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania

Although many of us have put away our clubs for the season, golf is never too far from the minds of our Executive Board and they have been busily planning some changes and additions for the 2014 season.  The WGAWP website will continue to be your chief source of information allowing you to renew your membership, sign up for events, enjoy photos throughout the season and shop in the online store.  Here is a peek at a few things that are in store for the upcoming season:

• The 2014 calendar is available on the website and can be downloaded directly to your smart phone, computer or tablet.  Follow the directions under "Helpful Hints".  You can select ALL of the events for viewing or just select those events of interest to you such as Open Days, Tournaments or Team Matches
• Mark your calendars for Friday July 11 for the inaugural "Buck Cup", a new event that honors the memory of  WGAWP Past President Dr. Ann Louise Buck, to be played Youghiogheny Country Club (Dr. Ann's home course).  The idea for the "Buck Cup" was brought to the Board by Patti Mansfield and Lynn Cherny with the support of the Buck family and Youghiogheny Country Club. Played by partners from the same club, participants will compete in 6 holes of Better Ball, 6 holes of Scramble and 6 holes of Alternate Shot.  The low net winners will receive Medallions and have their names inscribed on the permanent trophy that will be displayed at Youghiogheny.  
• Another team event to be played at Edgewood Country Club on September 9 is the "Vice President's Challenge", a competition modeled after the Ryder/Solheim/President's Cups.  The membership will be divided into two teams wiith approximately half of the membership on each team.  Partners will compete in match play with 6 holes of Four Ball, 6 holes of Modified Alternate Shot and 6 holes of Scramble.Three points are available for each match with one point for each six-hole event (one point to win, half point to split).  Team partners are established by handicap with the #1 player on each team partnered with the #2 player ; #3 partnered with #4, etc. The #1 and #2 players are matched against the #1 and #2 players on the other team and so forth.  The ten lowest handicapped registrants on each team are guaranteed entry into the field.  Team Captains are the two lowest handicapped players on each team.  A "Challenge" that ends in a tie is resolved by a sudden death playoff of the Team Captains using the Modified Alternate Shot format starting on Hole # 1.  The field will be limited to 96 players.  This is an event unlike any that has been played in Western and the hope is that it will be a fun, fantastic and memorable tournament!
• Tweaks and updates will continue to appear on the website, so check in often.  The Website Committe is committed to making the site relevant and easy to use, reducing paper and making many of our processes more efficient.

On a sad note, Joan Kelley has resigned her position on the Board for personal/health reasons.  We look forward to seeing Joan's smiling face on the course in the spring and wish her the best.  Stepping in to take her place is Serena Gozion.  We welcome her spirit and enthusiasm as she fills in the position of Assistant Tournament Chairman.