Part I.............IN THE BEGINNING
by Millie Wright
The year was 2002. The Martinos and Wrights had moved to WOODSIDE from an island off the coast of Georgia.....a golfer's paradise called THE LANDINGS. It had six golf courses, four country clubs, marinas, health clubs, tennis courts.....plus a Nine Hole Ladies League of more than 300 members.
Both Doris and I were members. I was the membership chair. I also organized a smaller group of ladies.....we played on Tuesdays. The group called themselves "Millie's Girls".
Why did we move? To escape the onslaught of hurricanes that erupted during the 1990's.....forcing us to evacuate.....driving for miles seeking shelter. It became very tiresome.
During one of our evacuations, we discovered a charming golfing community called WOODSIDE PLANTATION.....fell in love with the cozy, safe-from-hurricane location.....sold our homes and purchased homes and golf memberships at Woodside.
"Perfect". we thought.......
Except.....We soon learned that there was no organized LADIES NINE HOLE LEAGUE!
However, Rosemary Thomas, membership chair of the 18 Hole Ladies League pursued us.....sweetly offering invitations to join that league, but we felt that we would be more comfortable in a 9 Hole environment.
Therefore.....I decided to search new members and beginning golfers to see if they would be interested in playing with an organized group on Tuesdays (ala Millie's Girls).
The very first "member" was Elaine Forsythe (we approached her in the club's parking lot).....and one by one we found "girls" eager to join our little group. I 'caught" Chris Amabile practicing pitching... she told us of Libby Howell. Then others, hearing of our Tuesday fun.....approached us.....Alyce Heffelfinger, Nancy Hudak, Lynn Gresh, Therissa Vasiliadis, Mary Strode, Eileen Stowell, Paula Snyder, Dora Stumpfig,.....we just grew and grew and grew.
Meanwhile, Rosemary Thomas, seeing the interest in 9-hole play, approached the 18 Hole Board and they were eager to help establish a NINE HOLE GOLF LEAGUE. They posted a sign-up sheet for those interested and organized a meeting with our Director of Golf, Jimmy Tidwell. I can't remember how many ladies showed up, but they all, with encouragement from Jimmy, voted to form a permanent 9-Hole League.
Suddenly, a president was elected (me).....along with a vice-president (Doris Marino), secretary (Mary Strode) and treasurer (Beth Bates). When asked for others to volunteer for future committees, only one hand went up. Nancy Hudak voiced her interest in becoming the SOCIAL CHAIR! (Way to go, Nancy!)
However.....there was a huge problem! Time after time I learned (and was warned) that other NINE HOLE LEAGUES had been formed and dismally FAILED. Several people mentioned that it had happened at least 4 times at Woodside.
As I returned home from that meeting.....I was filled with elation and trepidation.....the fate of the league rested on teeny-tiny shoulders.
WAS I SCARED! YOU BET I WAS!
Part II...........Mrs. Doom & Gloom!
by Millie Wright
A Nine Hole League was born, but lots of planning was needed BEFORE our actual games could take place. MOST of our ladies had never played golf.....let alone been members of a "league".
I decided that we would begin "league" play in September, when the weather cooled and the snowbirds returned to their Woodside nests. That gave us June, July and August to gather informally, acquaint ourselves with one another, learn golf etiquette and the course layouts.
After each Thursday session, we gathered in the clubhouse and, while enjoying one another's golf stories, I tried to explain the programs being planned.....including.....signing up for play and being paired by the proshop. (I think some of them were a bit nervous and had hoped to play with their personal friends week after week.)
Time after time, I kept running into people who reminded me that past 9 hole groups had not been successful, including one particular lady who CONSTANTLY.....wherever I met her.....at Publix, parties, the clubhouse.....told me that it was not going to be a good ending.....
Finally, I decided that, perhaps, if I asked her to serve on the board, she would be able to see and appreciate what was being planned. Did this work?
NO! Not only did she sit through all the meetings with a grumpy look on her face, she ended each meeting, warning us that the other members, especially the MEN, did not want another bunch of amateur ladies using THEIR COURSES!
Then, right after we had gathered to draft the CONSTITUTION and BY LAWS, Mrs. Doom & Gloom came to me and announced that she and some other ladies did not like my plans.....nor did they approve of the rules.....and they intended to do whatever they could to rewrite the CONSTITUTION!!!
I almost fainted.....Doris had to take me home. Later, Doris tried to talk to her, but she was adamant!
I was shaken, but remained determined to continue. I decided that this woman was not going to be happy, no matter what, so I called her and politely asked her to resign from the board. She did.....AND....as they say.....THE REST IS HISTORY!
A few girls did not stay with us, but those who did, were absolutely incredible in their support and positive attitude. The weeks rolled by and we had our first official MEET & EAT.....playing golf and then gathering for lunch in the Palmetto Room at the club.
The tables were decorated with GOLF BALL BALLOONS, GOLF BALLS, TEES, ETC.....
.....WITH THE SUPPORT, ASSISTANCE, AND GENEROSITY OF OUR PROSHOP, WE HAD GAMES WITH PRIZES!
And Mrs. Doom & Gloom.....Whenever I saw her, she was as sweet as could be. I just smiled and wondered if she ever knew that she gave me.....HEADACHES.....SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.....AND MULTIPLE BATHROOM VISITS!
Part 111.........Developing a Program Schedule
Whenever I mentioned the word "Tournament", the board looked stunned. (Remember, they were mostly "Newbies" to golf) I knew I had to introduce them to competitive play with enjoyable non-threatening events. Hence..."Ghostly Golf" was born! As Doris and I planned and shopped for our first "Event, not Tournament" we worried about the reception we would receive from our Niners and the "more serious" golf members at our club, but, as you can see from the pictures below, the Niners jumped into the spirit of the event and it was a tremendous success...Our first Niner Tradition...with many more to follow.
POSTSCRIPT.....by Gail Boule
As Millie said, "The Rest is History" as the Woodside Niners continue to be a vibrant organization over more than 20 years later. To recognize the tremendous contribution made by Millie and Doris, our founding "Mothers" were granted lifetime memberships to the WOODSIDE NINERS and now, through Millie's story, all members can know our history.
Below is also a photo from the first "Pot 'O Gold" event and a photo of several 2004 Niners...Do you recognize anyone?
by Millie Wright
The year was 2002. The Martinos and Wrights had moved to WOODSIDE from an island off the coast of Georgia.....a golfer's paradise called THE LANDINGS. It had six golf courses, four country clubs, marinas, health clubs, tennis courts.....plus a Nine Hole Ladies League of more than 300 members.
Both Doris and I were members. I was the membership chair. I also organized a smaller group of ladies.....we played on Tuesdays. The group called themselves "Millie's Girls".
Why did we move? To escape the onslaught of hurricanes that erupted during the 1990's.....forcing us to evacuate.....driving for miles seeking shelter. It became very tiresome.
During one of our evacuations, we discovered a charming golfing community called WOODSIDE PLANTATION.....fell in love with the cozy, safe-from-hurricane location.....sold our homes and purchased homes and golf memberships at Woodside.
"Perfect". we thought.......
Except.....We soon learned that there was no organized LADIES NINE HOLE LEAGUE!
However, Rosemary Thomas, membership chair of the 18 Hole Ladies League pursued us.....sweetly offering invitations to join that league, but we felt that we would be more comfortable in a 9 Hole environment.
Therefore.....I decided to search new members and beginning golfers to see if they would be interested in playing with an organized group on Tuesdays (ala Millie's Girls).
The very first "member" was Elaine Forsythe (we approached her in the club's parking lot).....and one by one we found "girls" eager to join our little group. I 'caught" Chris Amabile practicing pitching... she told us of Libby Howell. Then others, hearing of our Tuesday fun.....approached us.....Alyce Heffelfinger, Nancy Hudak, Lynn Gresh, Therissa Vasiliadis, Mary Strode, Eileen Stowell, Paula Snyder, Dora Stumpfig,.....we just grew and grew and grew.
Meanwhile, Rosemary Thomas, seeing the interest in 9-hole play, approached the 18 Hole Board and they were eager to help establish a NINE HOLE GOLF LEAGUE. They posted a sign-up sheet for those interested and organized a meeting with our Director of Golf, Jimmy Tidwell. I can't remember how many ladies showed up, but they all, with encouragement from Jimmy, voted to form a permanent 9-Hole League.
Suddenly, a president was elected (me).....along with a vice-president (Doris Marino), secretary (Mary Strode) and treasurer (Beth Bates). When asked for others to volunteer for future committees, only one hand went up. Nancy Hudak voiced her interest in becoming the SOCIAL CHAIR! (Way to go, Nancy!)
However.....there was a huge problem! Time after time I learned (and was warned) that other NINE HOLE LEAGUES had been formed and dismally FAILED. Several people mentioned that it had happened at least 4 times at Woodside.
As I returned home from that meeting.....I was filled with elation and trepidation.....the fate of the league rested on teeny-tiny shoulders.
WAS I SCARED! YOU BET I WAS!
Part II...........Mrs. Doom & Gloom!
by Millie Wright
A Nine Hole League was born, but lots of planning was needed BEFORE our actual games could take place. MOST of our ladies had never played golf.....let alone been members of a "league".
I decided that we would begin "league" play in September, when the weather cooled and the snowbirds returned to their Woodside nests. That gave us June, July and August to gather informally, acquaint ourselves with one another, learn golf etiquette and the course layouts.
After each Thursday session, we gathered in the clubhouse and, while enjoying one another's golf stories, I tried to explain the programs being planned.....including.....signing up for play and being paired by the proshop. (I think some of them were a bit nervous and had hoped to play with their personal friends week after week.)
Time after time, I kept running into people who reminded me that past 9 hole groups had not been successful, including one particular lady who CONSTANTLY.....wherever I met her.....at Publix, parties, the clubhouse.....told me that it was not going to be a good ending.....
Finally, I decided that, perhaps, if I asked her to serve on the board, she would be able to see and appreciate what was being planned. Did this work?
NO! Not only did she sit through all the meetings with a grumpy look on her face, she ended each meeting, warning us that the other members, especially the MEN, did not want another bunch of amateur ladies using THEIR COURSES!
Then, right after we had gathered to draft the CONSTITUTION and BY LAWS, Mrs. Doom & Gloom came to me and announced that she and some other ladies did not like my plans.....nor did they approve of the rules.....and they intended to do whatever they could to rewrite the CONSTITUTION!!!
I almost fainted.....Doris had to take me home. Later, Doris tried to talk to her, but she was adamant!
I was shaken, but remained determined to continue. I decided that this woman was not going to be happy, no matter what, so I called her and politely asked her to resign from the board. She did.....AND....as they say.....THE REST IS HISTORY!
A few girls did not stay with us, but those who did, were absolutely incredible in their support and positive attitude. The weeks rolled by and we had our first official MEET & EAT.....playing golf and then gathering for lunch in the Palmetto Room at the club.
The tables were decorated with GOLF BALL BALLOONS, GOLF BALLS, TEES, ETC.....
.....WITH THE SUPPORT, ASSISTANCE, AND GENEROSITY OF OUR PROSHOP, WE HAD GAMES WITH PRIZES!
And Mrs. Doom & Gloom.....Whenever I saw her, she was as sweet as could be. I just smiled and wondered if she ever knew that she gave me.....HEADACHES.....SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.....AND MULTIPLE BATHROOM VISITS!
Part 111.........Developing a Program Schedule
Whenever I mentioned the word "Tournament", the board looked stunned. (Remember, they were mostly "Newbies" to golf) I knew I had to introduce them to competitive play with enjoyable non-threatening events. Hence..."Ghostly Golf" was born! As Doris and I planned and shopped for our first "Event, not Tournament" we worried about the reception we would receive from our Niners and the "more serious" golf members at our club, but, as you can see from the pictures below, the Niners jumped into the spirit of the event and it was a tremendous success...Our first Niner Tradition...with many more to follow.
POSTSCRIPT.....by Gail Boule
As Millie said, "The Rest is History" as the Woodside Niners continue to be a vibrant organization over more than 20 years later. To recognize the tremendous contribution made by Millie and Doris, our founding "Mothers" were granted lifetime memberships to the WOODSIDE NINERS and now, through Millie's story, all members can know our history.
Below is also a photo from the first "Pot 'O Gold" event and a photo of several 2004 Niners...Do you recognize anyone?