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A Message from our 2009 President!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope Santa brought you all of
the things you need to
look good and play well on the course, and that
2009 finds you reaching those scoring goals you have set for
yourself. (My personal goal is to just play MORE.)
I am avoiding the temptation to drone on and on and on about the
spectacular Kickoff we have planned for February 28th (with
ROSIE JONES as our guest speaker), because we have other
information about it within the newsletter AND because I know
you are tired of hearing me drone on and on and on about the
spectacular Kickoff we have planned for February 28th (with
ROSIE JONES as our guest speaker)!
So I wanted to print something that was forwarded to me by one
of my severely golf-addicted buddies in North Carolina. First,
because it's just pretty darned funny, and second, because it
actually leads in to information that could be useful to you.
(Imagine that!)
From my friend: "Seems there is a new book on GOLF that gives
the reader valuable playing tips and insider information from a
golfer who has experienced years of struggle. Hopefully, you
will find this a useful tool to help you enjoy your game that
much more as you enjoy the great outdoors."
Chapter 1 - How to Properly Line Up Your Fourth Putt
Chapter 2 - How to Hit a Nike from the Rough, when You Hit a
Titleist from the Tee
Chapter 3 - How to Avoid the Water When You Lie 8 in a Bunker
Chapter 4 - How to Get More Distance off the Shank
Chapter 5 - When to Give the Ranger the Finger
Chapter 6 - Using Your Shadow on the Greens to Maximize Earnings
Chapter 7 - When to Implement Handicap Management
Chapter 8 - Proper Excuses for Drinking Beer Before 9:00 a.m.
Chapter 9 - How to Rationalize a 6 Hour Round
Chapter 10 - When Does A Divot become classified as Sod
Chapter 11 - How to Find That Ball That Everyone Else Saw Go in
the Water
Chapter 12 - Why your Spouse Doesn't Care That You Birdied the
5th
Chapter 13 - Using Curse words Creatively to Control Ball Flight
Chapter 14 - When to Let a Foursome Play through Your Twosome
Chapter 15 - How to Relax When You Are Hitting five off the Tee
Chapter 16 - When to Suggest Major Swing Corrections to Your
Opponent
Chapter 17 - God and the Meaning of the Birdie-to-Bogey Three
Putt
Chapter 18 - When to Regrip Your Ball Retriever
Chapter 19 - Throwing Your Clubs: An Effective Stress-Reduction
Technique
Chapter 20 - Can You Purchase a Better Golf Game?
Chapter 21 - Why Male Golfers Will Pay $5.00 a Beer from the
Cart Girl and give her a $3 Tip, but will balk at $4.50 at the
19th Hole and stiff the Bartender.
(If this book really existed, I'd probably buy dozens of copies
for my friends and me.)
So what is the useful information to glean from this? Simple.
We have an Education Chair this year - Jill McClenny! Even
though we will probably NOT offer clinics on "When to Let a
Foursome Play through Your Twosome," we ARE trying to build a
series of Education events that will be useful to our
membership. Tell us what's on your mind. Tell us what you need
in the way of clinics. Short-game skills for the intermediate
to advanced player? Rules and etiquette? How to properly
conduct business on the golf course? Match play strategies for
the combat golfer?
This is YOUR Chapter. Without your feedback and suggestions, we
have no way of knowing how best to serve you. You can contact
Jill at
Education@ewga.org. To contact any other Board members with
your suggestions, go to our
website and select EWGA Board Members from the menu on the
left. You'll find all of our email addresses at that location.
Let us hear from you!
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the spectacular
Kickoff we have planned for February 28th (with ROSIE JONES as
our guest speaker)!
Peace,
Robin Anderson
EWGA Houston Chapter President |
Annual Kick-Off Dinner and Auction Features
LPGA Legend Rosie Jones
Feb. 24, 2008
Houston Chapter EWGA Dinner and Auction
Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Roof, Westin Galleria Houston
Top-ten LPGA tour money winner
Rosie Jones (www.rosiejones.com/golf-getaways)
will be the keynote speaker at the Houston Chapter Executive
Women's Golf Association (EWGA) (www.ewga.org)
annual open house kick-off event Saturday, February 28 from X
p.m. to X p.m. The event will be at The Roof, Westin Galleria
Houston, 5060 West Alabama.
The dinner event is open to
Houston area players and supporters of women's golf as well as
to women who are interested in learning golf. It includes a
silent auction, a raffle and door prizes, exhibits and
 information
about EWGA-sponsored golf and social events, networking and
education for the year.
"We are thrilled that such a
golfing legend as Rosie Jones has agreed to speak to our members
and guests," said Robin Anderson, President, EWGA Houston
Chapter. "As one of the most popular players in the history of
golf, her enthusiasm for the game will help us kick off a busy,
fun year for women's golf in Houston."
EWGA (www.ewga.com)
is a not-for-profit membership association with nearly 20,000
members in over 120 chapters throughout the United States, along
with international Chapters in Canada and France. The
association offers a wide range of organized golf activities,
player development and education programs, volunteer, social and
networking opportunities for both novice and experienced
golfers. Its mission is to provide opportunities for women to
learn,play and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life.
Founded in 1993, the EWGA Houston
chapter has more than 200 members. The chapter organizes a
yearly calendar of social and golf events, including monthly
golf outings, weekday fun play and competitive leagues at
courses across the area, education clinics and business
networking gatherings.
For more information:
President@EWGA.org or
www.ewga.org.
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Kathy Sowards
Media Relations Chair
EWGA Houston Chapter
mkksowards@comcast.net
Read on for more exciting news... |
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Feb.
28 Kick-Off Dinner with LPGA
Legend Rosie Jones
Mark
Your Calendars Now
Saturday
Feb. 28, 2009
5:30 -
8:30 p.m.
The Roof
at The Westin Galleria
5600
West Alabama
What a way to kick off a busy 2009 for the Houston Chapter.....a
gala evening with LPGA legend Rosie Jones as our celebrity guest
and speaker.
Put it on your calendar and start lining up your guests for a
fun evening including dinner, door prizes, drawings.......and
Rosie!
Watch your email and the
website for registration details - coming soon.
From 5:30 - 6:30 you'll have the chance to catch up with your
EWGA buddies, and meet and greet new friends during a cocktail
reception with exhibits by our sponsors and other EWGA
supporters. Dinner is at 6:30 - and the remainder of the
evening includes prizes, information about the year ahead, and
our guest speaker.
 With
this beautiful venue and Rosie Jones - this will be an event you
won't want to miss. It's also a perfect opportunity to treat
guests to a fun evening where they can learn more about EWGA and
our mission to help women learn, play and enjoy the game of golf
for business and for life.
Top-ten LPGA tour money winner Rosie Jones captured 13 LPGA
tournament titles. The 1981 graduate of The Ohio State
University played fulltime on the LPGA for 25 years and, in a
true testament of both her ability and her passion for the game,
she won tournaments a remarkable 17 years apart, taking her
first title in 1987 and her most-recent in 2003.
In 2007, she started
RosieJones Golf Getaways, a venture that enables her to
share her love of golf and her passion for the game with other
women who feel the same way.
In addition to speaking at our kick off event, Rosie is offering
an exclusive offer through the end of 2009 for EWGA Houston
Chapter members to receive a 5% discount off a RosieJones Golf
Getaways trip.
"We are thrilled that such a golfing legend as Rosie Jones has
agreed to speak to our members and guests," said Robin Anderson,
President, EWGA Houston Chapter. "As one of the most popular
players in the history of golf, her enthusiasm for the game will
help us kick off a busy, fun year for women's golf in Houston."
For a look at
The Roof and the spectacular 360 degree view click on the
link, then click TOUR HOTEL, then click on The Roof.
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Volunteers Needed!
Help make the 2009 Kick Off event a great
success......we need volunteers to help with registration,
setting up for the event, securing door prizes and auction
items, distributing flyers......lend your talents and get
involved early this year. The event is set for Saturday, Feb.
28, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at The Roof, Westin Galleria --- and the
planning and organizing is now in 'full swing'. To volunteer
contact
President@EWGA.org or any board member.
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Lone Star Cup 2009
Sep 17 (Thu) - Sep 20 (Sun), 2009
Agenda:
Thu, 9/17 - Practice Round (optional) and
White Rock Putting/Welcome Reception/Dinner
Fri, 9/18 - First Round of Match Play and
Fun Play - Ram Rock
Sat, 9/19 - Second Round of Match
Play and Fun Play - Apple Rock + Awards Cocktails,
Dinner and Celebration
Sun, 9/20 - have a safe trip home
Optional rounds of golf may be played
on Wed, 9/16, and Sun, 9/20.
Special hotel rate is good two days
pre- and two days post-tournament.
Lone Star Cup Chair
Elizabeth Hardy
lonestarcup@ewga.org |
Love Your Skin
A Nationally ranked tennis player's experience with skin cancer
by Jill Porter, CyPort Performance Tennis
LIVESTRONG Army CyPort
Jill is the Owner, Director and Trainer of CyPort Performance
Tennis based in Cypress, Texas. She trains elite tennis player's
off-court to enhance, strength, agility, speed, CORE and balance
specific to their individual needs. She has been a National
level athlete in six prior sports with tennis being the seventh.
Jill recently comes from a Corporate Training and Regulatory
background, as well as, public school teacher where she was the
only coach for a high school men's tennis team. Jill is also a
proud volunteer representative for the Lance Armstrong
Foundation's LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Initiative.
Millions of people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Some
receive treatment and continue living their lives; others are
not so fortunate. Skin cancer does not discriminate with its
recipients. It's not just what we do now, but what we did years
ago that can effect the risk potential. This means, whatever we
can do to avoid becoming a statistic should be a priority. When
caught early, skin cancer can often be treated in the doctor's
office with creme, liquid nitrogen, pills and outpatient
surgeries. But waiting, can mean prolonged and extensive
treatment.
From an athlete's standpoint, it is devastating for someone who
depends on knowing all they can about their body. An athlete's
self image is usually defined by their contribution to their
sport and the potential for fame, glory and honor. We endure
tremendous strains to our minds and bodies and rise to the
challenge in sacrificing a lot to achieve our goals. However,
there is nothing "special" or "glorious" about getting cancer
and coping with its outcome.
I am one of those athletes affected by skin cancer. When I heard
the diagnosis, I was terrified, but encouraged when I learned
mine was non-life threatening. My life was thrown upside down
with emotions ranging from frustration to fear of the unknown. I
remember walking into the waiting room the first day and being
terrified about what I didn't know...how bad was the cancer,
what treatment would be recommended and what would I feel like
along the way. As a person, getting rid of the cancer was first.
As an athlete, I wanted to know I could continue my training,
maintain the great condition my body had finally achieved and
compete nationally. Due to the location and size of my cancer, I
was told radiation treatment was the only option. I was blessed
with meeting and working with a world-renown cancer specialist
who emphasized the importance of maintaining my movement and
flexibility before, during and post treatment. He ordered my
individual treatment plan for 6 weeks (30 sessions) of radiation
therapy once a day during the week with weekends off.
Treatment began and I thought it relatively easy at first though
I noted some folks in the waiting room with blankets or heavier
clothing, water bottles and loose fitting
clothing...unknowingly, I would do the same. I was familiar with
visiting hospitals and cancer treatment facilities and providing
support for family members and close friends who under went
surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. But it became personal
when it was me receiving the treatment and in need of support.
Along with my husband, family and friends, I also began meeting
and talking to those who received treatment the same time and
developed close and lasting friendships. As we all said, it was
such a difficult feeling for us to walk in as patients and
recipients.
Side effects vary by patient and for some reason, I seemed to
experience quite a few. They began the second day with a change
in taste. I never got nauseated, but a moderate metallic taste
made even water undesirable. Further symptoms developed quickly.
By the second week, I completely lost my voice and had to
whisper for 2 weeks. As another patient (friend) had the same
symptom, we spent our "visiting time" in the waiting room
whispering. It even caught on with others who found themselves
whispering "just to fit in"...we did find some humor, but
understand that there is nothing funny about having cancer. I
tried so hard to continue to train on the tennis court and in
the gym, but treatment took its toll. Even simple household
chores and errands became extremely difficult. If I had not been
blessed with friends, hospital staff, pharmacists and grocery
employees who knew me so well, I could not have endured the
final 3 weeks of treatment when my husband had to take a
business trip overseas. He and I just never knew the fatigue
would get so bad. When my body finally succumbed to the extreme
mental and physical fatigue, it put me in bed almost 24 hours a
day the final 2 weeks (and the next 2 afterwards). I remember
being in such a mental stupor that nothing seemed to matter
except just lying there. Walking became difficult with balance
issues. I'd move around the house holding on to walls and
furniture, shuffling my feet in such a wide stance to stay up.
I finally gave up trying to train when my coach and I decided I
looked pretty funny shuffling to the courts and experiencing
such disorientation while hitting because my feet were so far
apart. It was truly an ultimate challenge to maintain some sort
of dignity when I looked and felt so fatigued.
Up to this point, I had not admitted to the hospital that I felt
so badly because there was guilt that my cancer was non-life
threatening when others were not. That may sound odd, but it's
been another trial along the way that I still work through. Day
23 of treatment was the worst. For some reason I remember that
day because I felt so bad and "out of it". I went to treatment,
used the free valet parking our hospital so generously offers
for cancer patients and couldn't get out of the car and into the
hospital on my own. The attendant helped me to our hallway as I
dragged my backpack on the ground from such fatigue. One of the
radiation therapists saw me and when she asked how I was, I
could only say "I need help because I am so sick". It took every
fiber in my being to get back home after convincing them I could
do so.
Time has in some ways stood still and others passed so quickly
as it has already been 4 months since treatment ended. I AM NOW
CANCER FREE after also having 2 suspect areas (actinic
keratoses) treated in simple form; one was treated with a
chemotherapy crème, the other with liquid nitrogen. At the
direction of my dermatologist, I will receive skin screening
several times a year to address any suspicious cells PRIOR to
possible development. If only I had known what I do now I would
have begun skin screening years ago.
I'm back to full training, but not in terms ever experienced. As
an athlete, if we can't immediately attack afterwards, we need a
goal. My sports medicine folks finally discussed how to come
back and it means throwing everything ever learned with recovery
from injuries out the door. "Just because I can, does not mean I
should". The more I tried to approach this as an injury, the
more stress placed on this atrophied body and mind and the more
the fatigue tore me down. No tournaments can be targeted until
late Spring/early summer which makes the full down time almost a
year...at least I can have a goal.
I finally cried the other day (4 months post treatment, 6 months
since diagnosis) at the sheer enormity of the situation. From a
personal and athletic perspective, this experience has been
humbling, humiliating, embarrassing, and a learning process
about myself. It doesn't just take courage and stamina to
survive, but the necessity for full support is imperative. My
loving husband, family, coach and friends provided more than I
could ever have asked and it has helped give me strength before,
during and now post treatment. I take nothing for granted and I
WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! I don't want anyone else to
needlessly wait and have to receive radical surgery, radiation,
chemotherapy or worse, die. I do not want someone to go through
the physical and mental anguish, frustration, fatigue and
depression that can result from whatever form of treatment you
must endure. Love your body enough to get skin screening as much
as your doctor recommends and know how it can impact your life.
I know I was placed in this situation for a reason and can only
hope I do what was intended. The Lance Armstrong Foundation has
allowed me the opportunity to volunteer as part of its
LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Initiative, and I plan on speaking and
writing as much as I can to promote early skin screening and
evaluation. I will make that difference and uphold the spirit of
LIVESTRONG by protecting myself and informing others.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to personally thank Dr. Robert Behar - M.D.,
Chairman and CEO of North Cypress Medical Center; Dr. Leslie
Ledbetter, M.D. - The Woodlands Dermatology Group; and Dr. Matt
Hammit, M.D. - Texas Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine for leading
me in the right direction for evaluation, diagnosis and
treatment. Each one provided more than I can ever describe with
caring, professionalism and sensitivity to my personal
situation. I cannot say enough about Dr. Behar's carefully
planned and designed cancer treatment that has allowed me full
opportunity to continue my quest for a National singles title in
tennis.
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Contact Information for Jill Porter
LIVESTRONG Army CyPort
Owner, Director CyPort Performance Tennis
713-203-3385 cell
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EWGA Website Features
Magazine Renewal Notices
You might be receiving a renewal notice for your
Conde Nast Portfolio and Golf Digest magazine
subscriptions if you are due to renew your EWGA
membership in the next few months.
You can just ignore those notices.
As always, the subscriptions are included
as a benefit of EWGA membership.
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Sunday Fun Play Special
Information
Wildcat on Sunday
Play with the ladies of the EWGA each and every Sunday at
Wildcat Golf Club. Tee times begin at approximately 11:30
am. Wildcat has given our Chapter an exceptional Sunday
price of only $45 +tax for 18 holes.
Tee Times must be reserved
prior to play. Contact Jan Cunningham at
central.funplay@ewga.org to make your reservation.
Anyone
wishing to play Sunday's at Wildcat email on or before
each Friday at 12:00-noon for that Sunday's play.
 If
anyone else wants to post your special events at other
courses, please send the information to info@ewga.org.
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Women in the Spotlight -
Rosie Jones
Born: November 13, 1959, in Santa Ana, California
Tour Wins:
13
Major Championships:
0
Awards and Honors:
· Member, U.S. Solheim Cup team, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2000,
2002, 2003, 2005
· Member, Georgia Golf Hall of Fame
Quote, Unquote:
Rosie Jones: "I manage my game really well. ... When I make
a mistake I speak kindly to myself."
Rosie Jones Biography:
Rosie Jones won 13 times in her LPGA career. She was
regularly considered among the top American golfers on the
tour, a fact attested to by her seven appearances as a
member of the U.S. Solheim Cup team. She was popular with
her peers and with fans. The one glaring hole on her golf
resume' is that Jones never won a major championship. Jones
finished second in majors four times. The first was the 1984
U.S. Women's Open, before even her first victory. The last
was the 2005 Kraft Nabisco Championship during the season
that would turn out to be her final full year on the LPGA
Tour.
Jones began playing golf when she was 11 years and her game
developed quickly. She won three straight New Mexico Junior
Championships, 1974-76, and won the 1979 New Mexico State
Championship.
While attending Ohio State University, she was named to the
collegiate All-America team in 1981.
Jones turned pro in 1982 and joined the LPGA Tour that year.
The first of her 13 wins was the 1987 Rail Charity Golf
Classic, and her final win was the 2003 Asahi Ryokuken
International Championship.
Jones' best year was 1988, when she co-led the Tour in
victories with three. But her best stretch of play was late
in her career, 1999 to 2003, when she finished in the Top 10
on the money list each year and posted her best scoring
averages.
Jones was a very short driver of the ball, but was terrific
with fairway woods and hybrids, and was noted for her
excellent course management.
Following her retirement from full-time touring competition
after the 2005 season, she joined The Golf Channel as a
broadcaster. She continues to play a handful of tour events.
Official Website
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Let
us know how this newsletter can better serve your needs.
Please feel free to e-mail me or anyone of the board
members.