Lady golfers get ready to start season

By Lisa Capitelli
OC Today

Participants will not only play 18 holes of miniature golf, but also included in the evening’s festivities are hot dogs, pizza, soda, beer and wine, a 50/50 drawing, golfing “tips” from area golf professionals and prizes for best team, best male, and best female scores. All proceeds benefit the 2005 Pink Ribbon Classic.

Each October for the past seven years, the Eastern Shore Chapter of the EWGA sponsors a Pink Ribbon Classic Ladies-only Golf Tournament, which is one of the seven Pink Ribbon Classic events. Last year from the events, $80,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society and breast cancer research.

The EWGA was founded in 1991 and is based in Palm Gardens, Fla. According to Eastern Shore Chapter vice president Donna Forgash, there are more than 18,000 members in 109 chapters in the United States and Canada.

The mission of the EWGA, “is to provide opportunities for women to learn, play and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life,” Forgash said. “It provides competition for all golf levels, networking opportunities with other business women in a friendly atmosphere, personal growth through volunteer leadership opportunities, and a welcoming atmosphere for new golfers.”

In 1992 the Eastern Shore Chapter was founded and currently has 97 members from Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset counties as well as Sussex County, Del. Forgash said its goal is to reach a local membership of 130 women.

Its “host club” is River Run Golf Club, but Forgash said the chapter also plays at Bear Trap Golf Club in Bethany Beach, Del., Nassawango Golf Club in Snow Hill, Deer Run Golf Club in Berlin and Nutters Crossing Golf Club in Salisbury.

The golf season begins for the ladies on Wednesday, April 20, at Bear Trap Golf Club. The annual kick-off event begins at 3:30 p.m. with check-in, followed by a nine-hole golf scramble. Cocktails, dinner and an informational program will conclude the evening.

Regular season play starts in April with weekly golfing at River Run and other courses, with both a nine and an 18-hole league planned. A Chapter Championship will take place in July.

Forgash said a golf mixer will be held monthly at a variety of area golf courses. Clinics for all level players will be offered and there are also several 18-hole outings planned.

The Eastern Shore Chapter will also host the eighth annual Pink Ribbon Classic Ladies-only Golf Tournament in October.

“As you can see, our events are numerous and varied. There is something to appeal to both the beginner and advanced golfer as well as the golfer who craves competition or just a friendly golf game and new friends,” Forgash said.

“Women’s golf is a growing sport, both professionally and for the amateur. It is fun, good exercise, a wonderful way to make new friends and is a game for all ages. The area golf courses encourage women to play and the Eastern Shore Chapter of EWGA is a healthy, growing organization for women golfers.”