Calgary
& Edmonton
Alberta, Canada
In
This Issue:
Margaritaville
Program Changes
Tournaments 2011
Santa Fe 2011
Argentina 2012
Winter Practice
Edmonton News
Back Issues:
Jan/May 2011
2010 Newsletter
Sept/Dec 2009
May/August 2009
Jan/April 2009
Sept/Dec 2008
May/August 2008
Our destination for the Play & Stay in June was Stettler at the Pheasantback Golf Club with a second nine on Sunday at Haunted Lakes in Alix. We arrived, along with six other early birds the night before and checked into the Ramada, Stettler. The weather was pleasant and it looked like we had a good weekend in store for all. We woke to torrential rain and the trees were almost at right angles, it was awful. We headed to the courses to see what our options were. We were able to cancel with no penalty and also the Ramada gave us the same option, we were very surprised and pleased. It was too late to try to notify the group so we waited at Pheasantback for them to arrive and gave them the news. I do believe they were relieved that we did not have to play.
On our way back to Stettler we passed Haunted Lakes and the road was almost impassable because of the rain. In addition to the rain and wind, there were also Tornado warnings for the area. A repeat happened in August and the weather cooperated and a good time was had by all.
"Loved the theme. Loved the margaritas. Loved the dinner. Loooooooved the theme song for Golfaround - great talent. Thank you soooo much for giving me some great memories and laughs." - Georgia Forrest
Everyone got in the spirit of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Donna Gray dressed as a gaucho or was she a poncho? It doesn't matter - she serenaded everyone with her guitar as they arrived and we backed it up with songs by Jimmy. Her cohorts Gail and Joan were there to support her. The carts were amazing, people are so creative. The margaritas provided by Merina, Ellen Lori and Kathy were an added bonus. The golf was challenging and we all lost a few balls but all in all it was great and everyone had a blast wasting away in Margaritaville. The Silent Auction in support of the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter raised $2600.00. Thanks to all who participated.
Well you did not scare off the Edmonton Coordinator this season, Lynn Stolarchuk will return for 2012 and we hope Paige Nelson will once again assist her. We sent out an email looking to the membership for some help in starting the evening leagues when Lynn or Paige cannot be there. We are also looking for some feedback on an indoor winter swing program, other golf courses you would like to play, a Play and Stay and suggestions/ideas for a wind-up. Some of the girls have started up virtual golf at Blair Oko's Golf Academy, it is great to see that you are continuing to swing and socialize.
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for giving me such a warm welcome and for the support I have received by one and all. I hope you all enjoyed your season as much as I did. Despite the rain, and we had a significant amount, we Edmontonians absolutely made the most of our golfing season.
We renewed old friendships, made new ones and along the way honed our game. We might not have many documented Moments of Brilliance but that does not mean we didn't have them. I witnessed many, in the Thursday Beginner League especially! And I seem to remember Donna Carle from the Day League standing awfully close to the pin after a spectacular shot. I am putting the challenge out there for next year to be on the lookout and get some pics for next season's newsletter. So Ladies, here's to next season, to good weather and good times head. Fore! - Lynn Stolarchuk
The advanced Spring Tune Ups and Short Game Clinics introduced in 2011 have been evaluated and have not met the needs they were designed for. New program possibilities include but are not limited to Spring Training somewhere south of the border in April. We are investigating some options in Palm Springs and area. The program would include a lesson, golf and accommodation; transportation would be up to the participants.
We are also looking at a Yoga for Golfers program.
SWING IMPROVEMENT 2012
The program will commence in March 2012 and works as a jump start to the upcoming golf year. Taking it every season will benefit your game greatly as you start to build muscle memory. In addition the off-season training and conditioning can get your body ready to hit the course when Spring has sprung and will give you the power and flexibility you need to lower your score.
MOB - MOMENTS OF BRILLIANCE
I am sure there were many MOBs this season unfortunately we can only report those we were notified of, so if yours was missed we are sorry.
- Nicki Heikkinen had an awesome game at the Elks in August, a 46. She even took a 6 on the Par 3, ninth hole.
- Loreen Lehman shot two birds in horrendous wind at Silver Wing. She was on fire even though it was freezing.
- Cindy Judd had a game to remember at Springbank Links...46. She says OMG...a birdie, couple of pars and "I don't know who the girl in my body was...hope she comes back soon."
- Highwood Golf Course brought out the best in Donna Gray and Iveah Hutchison - they shot a 94 and 87 respectively.
- Another 87 was scored by Nancy Boyd her best game ever at Shaganappi Point, not during league play but a great accomplishment.
- Congratulations to Charlotte Baynham an Edmonton member - she broke a hundred at The Ranch. According to Lynn "despite the maddening mosquitoes she managed to swat the ball instead and scored 97".
- Val Witherspoon got a birdie at Cottonwood...congrats.
- Merina DeCosta, one of the original Golfaround members scored 41 on the Pointe at Heritage and also got an eagle at McKenzie Meadows. I guess those lessons do help! Good for you Merina.
- On May 12th at McKenzie Meadows both Patricia Klewchuk and Andrea McLean chipped in on the same hole for a bird.
CELEBRITIES AMONG US
Dwila Slatcher is a member of the NorGlen Rhythmic Gymnastics Club that has been running in Calgary for over 30 years. In July 2011, NorGlen along with three other clubs formed a team that went to the 14th World Gymnaestrada in Lausanne, Switzerland and performed a routine called Press Play. The routine features both rhythmic and artistic gymnasts ranging in age from 10 to 60+. Music technology has evolved from classical music to records, 8-tracks, cassettes, CDs and MP3 players. The gymnasts feature music from those eras, and also display the technology throughout the routine.
Marielle Galibois won Gold and Silver medals at the Alberta senior golf play downs. On June 7 she won golf at Heatherglen, in her age group, winning the right to represent her zone at the Provincials in Fairview in July where she came away with a Silver medal.
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
The Santa Fe trip was enjoyed by everyone except for Dianne. Di fell and broke a rib just before the group was to travel to New Mexico. It was very unfortunate as many of you know she did all the planning for this adventure and sadly did not get to experience it. The week started with golf a Paako Ridge with some added excitement.
A tarantula sure got Donna Woodman moving. It seems that tarantulas migrate at this time of year and we also needed to be wary of rattle snakes. No looking for balls for this gal.
Paako was stunningly beautiful and the greens were very challenging. Playing Black Mesa made you think you were in an old Cowboy and Indian movie; to quote Bob Cook "where are the Indians?" Towa was a great track and was played twice by some of us because of one of the Wine and Chile Fiesta events.
The Gruet Golf Classic was an awesome day. We played a best ball/stableford format with wine and food every third hole. We represented Canada in the standings and took the Most Honest team spot, and won irons and not irons you golf with but irons you iron clothing with!!!
The area is rich in art and museums, which everyone enjoyed. Wandering and shopping very often included lunch and a beverage at many awesome restaurants.
We finished off with some Wine and Chile Fiesta activities. There was a dinner with wine paring at Tabla De Los Santas at the St. Francis Hotel. The menu was fabulous and those of us who ended the evening with Salsa dancing back at the Lodge burned off some of the wine and food we consumed.
Another highlight was taking the high road to Taos. The route was a landscape dotted with old villages, colonial churches and native pueblos. It was not just Taos but the journey to Taos that made this trip memorable.
One of the many stops is a visit to the Taos Pueblo. The dwellings in this ancient, walled village are still owned and occupied by the Tewa tribe. With its mountain backdrop, the pueblo is a visual feast, both in colour and form. We are lucky to see them re-plastering the square adobe houses that are stacked in tiers around a huge, dusty plaza with a historic church and trickling creek. There is no electricity, indoor running water or plumbing, as the Pueblo has chosen not to modernize. Returning to Santa Fe we are asked to picture ourselves in horse and buggies as we come upon the gorge that we must now get across. We walk across this massive gorge on a bridge that was not there years ago. We travel down into the Rio Grande Gorge on a narrow bit of road all the time thinking about the horse and buggies which they had to dismantle and guide/walk across. It is almost scary, but it is so incredibly beautiful you forget about going off the steep embankment or a possible rock slide. We make it through safely and end up at a winery and chocolatier, but not enough time to experience, maybe next time we visit.
One of the golf courses on our Argentina adventure is one of the newest in the country Arelauquen, a stunning 18 hole gem that will be beckoning us from our window at the Lodge. The area is immersed in a setting where the air is pure, surrounded by mountains and lakes of crystal clear waters. It will be an unforgettable experience. During the entire round the summits of Mount Catedral, Mount Otto and the deep blue of Lake Gutirrezare will be there in the background. The meadows on the front nine will provoke the best of us with waterfalls, ponds and target shots. The narrow back nine includes forced carries, water hazards and bunkers. At the end of our round we will no doubt have a well deserved drink in the beautiful club house.
EDMONTON NEWS 
TRAVEL FOR THOUGHT or DI'S BUCKET LIST
What's on your bucket list?
A number of you ask what we will be doing next so we thought we would try to give you an idea of what we are thinking.
- BC Interior Wine & Golf 2012
- Ireland Fall of 2013
- Turkey 2014
- Egypt or Italy 2015
- Crown Isle Vancouver Island 2013 or 2014
Do Overs
- The Laurel Pointe Inn, Victoria, BC
- Meadow Lake Montana
SUNDOWNER SUNDAYS
We are looking at a Sunday afternoon mixed group that would play 18 holes followed with dinner and socializing to swap war stories. This would be a separate entity to Golfaround and a separate membership would apply. We are looking at playing once or twice a month, May to August and open it up to spouses, non members and friends.
[Company Profile] [Programs] [Tournaments] [Newsletter] [Contact Us]
GOLFAROUND™
Golf Programs for Women
1320-96th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2V 0Y4
Phone: (403) 253-2689 Tel/Fax: (403) 258-3223
Toll Free Number: 1-866-553-2689
Copyright© 2000
Golfaround™. All rights reserved.
Created by: www.worthwhilewebs.com