PWGA NOTES & QUOTES
What Does it
Take to Run a
PWGA
Tournament?
by Nicole Schroeder
As a player, we often don’t think about
how much time and effort is put in in
order to run a great golf tournament. So,
what does it take to put on an effective
PWGA event? Every little piece such as
setting the tees, generating scorecards,
and arranging awards is a job of one of
our phenomenal volunteers. In order to
put on a PWGA Tournament for 256
members, such as the Spring Partners
recently held at Chardonnay and Eagle
Vines GC, it takes a village!
Leading the village is Marilyn Domingo,
the Tournament Director. She said this
when asked about the Spring Partners
event, “Planning for an event such as the
Spring Partners starts at least one month
in advance of the event. Meeting with
golf course staff to come to agreements
on details for the event eliminates the
need for discussion when you arrive and
spending time developing the logistics
between courses is helpful when the
3
event is
underway. I
love every
moment of
planning and
organizing
each event.
Spring
Partners is
currently our
most popular
event and is
always fully
subscribed.
But each
event,
regardless of
size, is
special and
requires the same time and effort to
make it a success. I think Spring Partners
is a favorite because it is a team event
and the golfers spend two days of golf
with one of their friends. The
competition is lively and teams return to
meet with others they have met over the
years. Our volunteers at all events are
always there to go the extra mile it takes
to provide a successful outcome. They
are eager to be a part of the event and
we could not do all that must be done
without our dedicated volunteers.”
Inevitably at a tournament, there will be
rules discrepancies, and although rule 33 is always a good option, we have to
have a rules expert! Andi Bristow is your
gal. Andi said this regarding Spring
Partners, “I began the planning process
early in the year once I receive the
tournament schedule. I sent an email to
the Rules committee asking for
volunteers to officiate the two day
tournament. I normally schedule a
preview with each course and prepare
the local rules. I tried something
different this year to involve more of my
committee members who have held the
position of Rules Director in the past.
Lois Eriksen volunteered to preview
Chardonnay Golf Club and Eagle Vines
Golf Club. I appreciated her doing this
since I live four hours away and she
resides closer. She prepared the Local
Rules, sent them to me and we discussed
various holes and conditions on the
course. The day before the tournament I
met with Rules committee members,
Dana Carrigan and Madeline Sally and
reviewed Chardonnay Golf Club that
evening. My favorite aspect of being a
Rules Director is working with a group of
ladies who are very knowledgeable in
the Rules of Golf. So much goes into
organizing a tournament and these
ladies always step up. They volunteer
their time and I think sometimes we
forget that. They officiate the
tournaments because they want to. I
want to recognize the following: Lois
Eriksen, Pat Keys, Stephanie Trenck,
Madeline Sally, Julie Gonzalez, Nancy
Boggs, Luckii Ludwig, Dana Carrigan and
Sue Sherman for all their help!”
There are many moving parts before,
during, and after a tournament, and a
team of wonderful ladies makes the
process less chaotic. In no particular
order: Leslie Voegtly, Patti Soiseth, Jane
Sullwold, Dianne Davis, Freida Aichele,
Loretta Sargent, Donna VanGrouw,
Vivian French, Lynn Harvey, Cheryl
Wecker, and Joanne Holman all put in
countless hours of their time to make
the experience more enjoyable for the
players. These gals did countless things
from running scorecards, doing scoring,
taking photos, and everything in
between. Thanks again for all your help
ladies; these tournaments would not run
smooth without you!
We will see these ladies in action again
at the remaining major tournaments we
have this year!
For the Remainder of 2015, we have 4
major PW tournaments which are: Mixed
Couples/Summer Partners on July 20-21,
the PWGA Championship on August 4-5,
the Team Play Championship on
September 1-2, and the Helen Lengfeld
Founders on October 6-7.
We love all of the tournaments, and are
extremely grateful to our wonderful
members and volunteers who make the
tournaments special.