Have you ever wondered why some organizations last and some don't? For businesses, it's based on need - the company offers an amazing product line or truly remarkable customer service that evolves with the needs of the customer. For non-profits, it's typically wants - people get behind the important services they provide and want to support them in their charitable work.
But for community associations, such as the Arlington Women's Golf Association, it's a bit of both. Women may join the group because they want to learn the game of golf. But they end up staying because they need to feel the comradery; they come to depend upon those friends they've made as members.
"We have friendships that started with golf and have been going on for years and years," said President Luann Stogner. "Old friends get together every week to play as well."
When Stogner recalled her first experience with the AWGA in 2009, she knew a little about the game, but needed some help with the lingo.
"When I retired from American Airlines, my husband suggested I try golfing since he loves the game. A co-worker invited me to play at Meadowbrook in central Arlington. We would meet there every week and walk the 9-hole course. I had never played golf and at first kept saying "runway" instead of "fairway." It felt like on some of those par-5's you could land a plane!" Stogner said.
Founded in 1952, the AWGA is the oldest organization of its kind in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. During the 65 years the ladies have been swinging their clubs, they've had both memorable events and remarkable members.
"We're unique in that we hosted the 41st annual Texas Women's Public Links Golf Association (now known as Texas Women's Golf Association) tournament in 1974 and it was won by our own Samie Keel who won 11 of our own club championships," said Stogner. "Our club has had many interesting ladies as members including a senior spelling bee champion in Fort Worth, a Miss North Carolina in the Miss American contest, a PE teacher who had a school named for her, a Radio City Rockette, and an 80 year-old sky diver. At our anniversary luncheon we had golf pro Kathy Whitworth as our guest."
While the reason the AWGA was formed and still exists today is to further a common interest in golf, to provide a well-planned means of enjoying golf, and to promote the game in Arlington and the surrounding vicinity, its foundation is firmly rooted in fellowship.
"The play-day chairman of AWGA selects a wide variety of games that allow players of all abilities to enjoy competition. The weekly pairings are varied by the play-day chairman so that a player will have played with every other player in the organization by the end of the year," Stogner said. "But the main thing I would like to convey to tentative new members is that you don't have to be a "really" good golfer as long as you have a desire to play. I think our members make it a point to welcome new members and make them feel comfortable."
And it is this mission to encourage women to come out and enjoy the game of golf that makes the organization open to all women, not just those who reside in Arlington.
"We have members from all over the Metroplex and from all walks of life. All ladies are accepted but you must have a handicap to join. If you don't have your five cards to establish a handicap you can play as a guest until you do. Annual dues are $55, and there's also a social membership option at $17.50," said Stogner.
For more information about the Arlington Women's Golf Association, visit www.arlingtonwga.com.
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