QUEEN OF THE GREENS

W

hen Cary Brown, Valdosta Country Club’s Director of Golf and General Manager, introduced Angie Wenck and Jenna Swengros because the two were looking for someone to play golf with, he never thought that introduction would lead to the revival of a Ladies Golf Association at VCC.

Jenna and Angie have a lot in common. Both are athletic, both are moms with young children, and both moved to Valdosta because of a military assignment at Moody Air Force Base.

Angie’s husband, Will, and his family are from Valdosta. His grandfather served as the commander at Moody AFB at one time. His mother went to high school in Valdosta and to VSU. Angie, originally from Indiana, says they moved from Atlanta to Valdosta “… for a better place to raise our children.” Angie began playing golf at the age of five with her father, who had junior clubs cut down and regripped for her. She later attended Indiana University on a golf scholarship. Jenna is an “athlete at heart,” whose mother was a

Queens Green of the

Two ladies’ love of golf has spurred a resurgence in women golfers at Valdosta Country Club

Angie Wenck and Jenna Swengros organized the LGA after playing golf together and yearning for more competitive play, a way to develop new friendships and to encourage more women to play golf.

member of a golf club and was part of an LGA. She, and her husband, Rick, met ten years ago when they were both stationed at Moody AFB. They moved back to Valdosta four years ago. Rick, an A-10 pilot, is near retirement, and Jenna says that their decision to join Valdosta Country Club in 2019 has played a big part in their decision to stay in Valdosta. Jenna now teaches at Valdosta High School. Rick often says "hello" from the skies by way of a fly-over when Jenna is playing golf.

Soon after they met, Angie and Jenna were playing together all the time and often with their husbands. And, while they enjoyed each other as golfing buddies, they wanted more women players to compete against, learn from, and share encouragement. “One of the main reasons we wanted to start a ladies' golf group was to make playing more competitive. We didn’t have many ladies to compete against,” said Angie.

Once again, they turned to Cary Brown, and that was music to his ears. What he envisioned was not just ladies playing golf together a few days a week, but, moreover, the revival of a lady’s golf association at Valdosta Country Club. The VCC LGA was strong at one time, even hosting a ladies' golf invitational with over 200 players.

Ladies Golf Association members: Top left: Linda Grondahl, Brooke Moreno | Front: Robin Coleman, Jenna Swengros, Kayla Lee, Jeanna Ganas, Melanie Coile, Catherine Odom, Farrar Brown, Kathy Dallas, Devan Martin, Angie Wenck, Erin Dodson, Kori Daugherty, Sara Holt Top right: Anne Rickert, Grace Woods

"In the past, we've had a ladies golf association here, which was very successful. But as the participants lives changed, the group dissipated. Now, we have two energetic women who are gung-ho about trying to gather a new group of ladies to play golf regularly," Cary explained.

After a few organizational meetings, they were ready to launch in mid-March with their initial gathering. Of course, that meeting had to be postponed. But they were not deterred for long. “After several weeks, we began talking about how this would be a great open-air way to socialize," Angie said. A few group texts later, they had a lot of interest. "We added one or two ladies at a time who saw us playing together, and slowly the group was built," Jenna explained.

The pair found that people craved to be together in a safer setting where they can get exercise and be with others after long weeks of quarantine. The program grew rapidly and has attracted some unlikely players, including Cary’s wife, Farrar. "My wife has started playing with the LGA. After all these years as a golf pro, this program sparked her interest in playing golf," Cary deadpanned.

The range of expertise of the participants varies greatly. Many are just learning the game. Some have played for years. And Jenna adds, "Some are very competitive." The group is working now on establishing handicaps for all players. They follow a scramble format, which most accommodating for players at any level. “The scramble format is very forgiving. It allows women to play and participate without having to perfect their game. Some are good putters. Some are better off the tee. The goal is to create an environment where women are more comfortable working on their golf game and learning the rules of golf,” explained Angie.

The group also hosts social events to learn more about each other. It has become a network with plans that extend into the Winter months when their regular Tuesday evening golf outings die down.

“It’s created friendships. Even during a pandemic with everyone quarantined, there are so many people I know more than I did last year,” Jenna explained. We support each other. I’ve met people who have small businesses in town, and now I have a face with a place, and I enjoy supporting them. “I wouldn’t have known them without my participation in the LGA,” she said.

And, this small group of ladies has drawn the attention of the entire club. For the first time in the 80-year history of the Jack Oliver Golf Tournament, women competed due to a greater interest in the game by women players in the LGA. "That's where, for me, it comes full circle," Angie said, beaming with pride.

“The LGA has become a magnet for membership. Some couples, who originally joined as social members, have upgraded their membership because the wife has started

playing golf in the LGA. Some people have joined because of their interaction with LGA,” explained Lee Mayhew Smothers, Director of Membership.

The duo has big plans yet for the LGA's future, including organizing competitive play with other clubs and even thoughts of bringing back that Ladies Invitational Golf Tournament one day.

"It's great to know all of these people and for us to be included because we're bringing value to the club," Angie said. But to this lifelong player, it's seeing women on the course practicing that is a "sight for sore eyes" to her. At the end of the day, these two ladies, who really thrive on the competitive sport of golf, are enjoying the new friendships they’ve made.

“We have a good time,” Angie said. “These people have become our best friends. It’s also great that so many of the players have children.” Another thing that helps bond the group. And, when the club can schedule family activities again, they look forward to bringing their families together to socialize. “A year ago, I would have known three people when we came to dinner at the club. Now I know everyone because of the LGA.”

The LGA has brought together ladies from different generations spanning 60 years in the age of players. Some older members who are in their 70's and were very active in the original LGA play with the younger members in their teens. (Putting: Kayla Lee; Watching: Robin Coleman, Farrar Brown, Linda Grondahl)

Melanie Coile, Jeanna Ganas, Grace Woods, and Kori Daugherty enjoy the scramble format which is accommodating for players at any level.

Valdosta Country Club Growing Strong!

In an age where many golf courses have closed, Valdosta Country Club has thrived. When Cary Brown and Lee Mayhew Smothers started working together seven years ago, the average age of membership was in the sixties. Now, that average is in the forties to fifties.

“A country club is only as good as its programs. The more you create programing for families, ladies, children, the more meaningful it is to families. If you’re not cultivating kids to be a part of the club’s activities, you're not building your future. Part of the LGA's purpose is to be an attraction for women, moms, and their families,” explained Cary Brown.

“Now, it has become a family decision to join a country club,” stated Lee. “In the past, golf has been the focal point of most country clubs. The new model of a country club is more about family activity and less golf-centered."