I had the privilege of being an honorary member of the Executive Women’s Golf Association during their championship tournament over the weekend of October 9-11 2014, the most prestigious event of the year! To get you better acquainted with the organization and tournament, I have a few fun facts:
*The Executive Women’s Golf Association is compiled of over 14,000 members across the US and Canada
*The Championship tournament is the World’s largest female amateur golf tournament held in the US
*80 EWGA Chapters were representing 35 States as well as 3 Canadian chapters
This year the event was held at the historic Hermitage Golf Course in Nashville, TN. 221 Ladies, over 2 days, all played their best to take home the championship title. The tournament started off with a beautiful dinner full of music, camaraderie, laughs and of course you can’t forget the wine! The remainder of the weekend was a bit…well….wet. Kudos, however, to the ladies who after a late tee off didn’t seem to mind Mother Nature’s interference.
Now I will be the first to admit, Golf isn’t my strongest sport, as a matter of fact I’m pretty sure the golf club was a bit scared when they saw me walk in…No worries though, I left the game, this weekend, to the professionals and was inspired to try out my golf game again.
Saturday night, brought a new champion, Katie (Tewell) Brinker. Katie, a 29-year old mother of two, showed how much hard work and determination pays off. Not being new to the game of golf or to the EWGA championship after placing second in the same tournament in 2013. Through rain, wind, and nerves she always had her husband at side. His job that weekend was to be her caddie and of course I’m sure he was a vital form of support. She had four consecutive birdies starting at the 312-yard, par 4, 15th hole to finish her final round.
Katie has shown her determination in previous tournaments especially during the Central Indiana Chapter Championship. Katie played with a broken fibula and sprained ankle and won with a score of 75. With her foot and ankle in a boot she continued her winning streak through the Ohio Valley District Semi-Final Championship at Fuzzy Zoeller’s Covered Bridge Golf Club in Sellersburg, Indiana.
I would have to say I came into this tournament hoping to learn more about the organization and golf as a whole, but came out with much more. This is such a wonderful group of women that care not only about the sport they love, but more about their peers. One would really imagine walking into a group of women this large there would be cattiness, mainly because we are all guilty; however, the love for each other and the sport was amazing to watch. I was very privileged to be an honorary member of such an amazing group and can’t wait for 2015!