The HP 18-hole WGA finished the year with 326 members. We hosted a sunny Member/Guest event on April 2, and closed our season on April 30.
Our Charity Event, benefiting the Dubin Center, was held March 27. 195 golfers participated in the event. We raised a generous $40,431 for The Dubin Center, which is based in Fort Myers. They provide free education and support to caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The Dubin Center provides educational classes, support groups, one-on-one coaching, resource referrals, engaging day trips, and social events. Lynne Gerstner chaired this most successful event, with a committee of 17 hard-working women.
I conducted our Closing Cocktail Party and final membership meeting on April 7, celebrating another great year of golf and comradery. The Board of Directors thanked me with a gift. I celebrated our WGA extensive network of 53+ volunteers who generously gave their time this year, and expressed gratitude with flowers to the following outgoing Board members: Joan McIvor, Secretary; Susan Klimas, Treasurer; and Shirlee Firebaugh, Tournament Director.
The Closing Cocktail Party was also the venue we chose to elect officers for the 2025-26 season. Those officers include the following:
• Terri Anderson, President
• Peggy Ellis, Vice President
• Lisa Benedetti, Secretary
• Kathy Blagoue, Treasurer
• Donna Freeland, Assistant Treasurer
• Mary Previte, Tournament Director
• Susan Fraser, Assistant Tournament Director
• Barb Haberer, Handicap Chair
• Georgetta McCabe, Communications Director
The Awards Ceremony also took place at the Closing Cocktail Party. We had a total of 270 birdies on league days. We would again like to congratulate this year’s winners.
• Most birdies during League play with 0-20 handicap: Kitsy Baumgartner (9) received a birdie pin and a cash prize.
• Most birdies during League play with 21+ handicap: Kathy Blagoue (4) received birdie pin and a cash prize.
• Eagles during League play: Bev Bailey, Francine Davis, Roxane Schulkins, Peggy Scobie, and CF White. They all received an eagle pin and a cash prize.
• Holes-in-One during League: Mary Olson, Marcia Leadbetter, Tanja Fischer, Lynda Dechert, and Tracy Noordhof. All received a plaque and a cash prize.
• Hole-in-One on non-league play: Donna Roberts, Debbie Grundy, Kathy Jecklin, Janel Neuman, Peggy Gudeman, and Cathy Lambert. All received a plaque and a cash prize
We say good-bye to our snowbirds until next season. We wish all WGA members a wonderful summer, whether you spend it here at HP, traveling, or enjoying your homes away from steamy Ft. Myers. Hopefully, we’ll see all of you back on Opening Day, Wednesday, November 5!
