News Desk

Another season has wrapped up — honestly, where does the time go. It feels like we were just heading out to the kick‑off social at Valley Ridge, and suddenly we’ve reached the final week of regular play. Many of us will keep swinging as long as the weather cooperates, enjoying leafy fairways and the company of both new and familiar friends.

This year wasn’t without its challenges. We started with chilly days and more rain than usual. Our Mystery Bus Trip had to be cancelled when the course restricted power carts — and we all know decorating those carts is half the fun. The planning was done, though, so we’re aiming to recreate the trip in 2027. As one of the gals joked, “Look out — now we have a whole year to plan.”

We also had to postpone our international travel plans for 2027. Scotland, the home of golf, was calling our name, but the weak Canadian dollar and strong sterling and U.S. dollar made the trip too costly. Instead, we’re looking at staying within Canada — perhaps Saskatchewan, home to more than 200 golf courses, including top‑ranked public and resort options with great value and beautiful variety.

The Play & Stay at St Eugene was a success, we enjoyed great weather, a little smoke, an awesome group and good golf. We played Shadow Mountain this year and we were pleasantly surprised. Shadow Mountain is a most intriguing golf property. The routing takes the golfer on an adventure across this diverse landscape of rolling forested sand dunes and mountainous terrain. No expense was spared in preserving the natural character of this wonderful site, letting the land dictate the design and allowing the  creation of some of the most memorable golf holes you will ever have the privilege of playing. Our hospitality room was a bee hive of activity, Shaunna cross legged on the floor mixing cocktails and Cynthia milling around with a delicious liquor. A few of us stayed Sunday night and after supper went to the casino where we won a hundred dollars, I think Joann was lucky too, or she was the last time we saw her.

Despite the weather, it’s been a wonderful season. We’ve met new people, made new friends, and welcomed enthusiastic newbies who always bring fresh energy. They consistently tell us how much they enjoy Golfaround — the supportive atmosphere, the camaraderie after each round, and the fun that keeps us coming back. For many of us, the scorecard matters far less than the joy of watching our numbers slowly drop, the thrill of improvement, and the dream of breaking 100. That dream keeps us giving the game everything we’ve got while enjoying the outdoors and the incredible women around us.

Behind all the practice, the good shots and the not‑so‑good ones, the wins and the misses, there’s always that golfer who fell in love with the game and never looked back — still trying to hit the ball long and true.

Be sure to check the newsfeed during the off‑season. There will be winter activities you may want to join. We won’t say goodbye — just farewell for now. Thank you all for your support, your spirit, and your help. Golfaround is what it is because of this special group of ladies we are so lucky to share the fairway with.

This year marked 20 years since we lost our dear friend Alison Taylor. I like to think she still visits us along the way, often in the form of a butterfly. We lost others this year too, and I imagine them together on their own little golf course in heaven, having fun.

On August 24, each team at D’Arcy Ranch hit a ball in Alison’s honor. I hear she went swimming, got all sandy and got lost in the woods.

There must be a golf course somewhere in heaven, where the fairways are soft as morning light and every green rolls true. I like to imagine the people we have lost gathering there, smiling in the sunshine, waiting for one another at the first tee.

There are no aches, no worries, and no hurried goodbyes—only familiar voices, easy laughter, and the gentle sound of clubs being pulled from old bags. They play the round they always wished for, not keeping score so much as keeping company.

Maybe that is where they meet up now—on a course beyond the clouds, where the sunsets never fade and every hole leads closer to peace. And someday, when our own round is done, we will hear them call our names and see them waving us in from the green.

Until then, we carry them with us—in every quiet morning, every long drive, every shared story, and every memory that still feels like sunshine.

The year was 1996 when 12 ladies decided they wanted to get out and learn the game of golf. Skip to 2026 and there are just under 500 members and Golfaround™ and its membership is stronger than ever! We couldn’t be more proud of these past 30 years, 30 years of encouraging women to take up the game, 30 years of strong partnerships with golf community, thousands of golf lessons at over 50 golf course in Alberta and 30 years of solid relationship with people  who believe in the value of growing the sport of golf to what it is today, well loved by many.

Our mandate has been to grow the game of golf and we have put thousands of women through our lessons which are supported with league play at over 50 golf courses in Alberta. Our Beginner program has introduced the game to more than 3,000 new golfers and the Evening and Day league and programs have helped and supported more than 10,000 seasoned golfers.

We’re planning a special “Par Tee” celebration October 17 to mark Golfaround’s 30th anniversary, so mark your calendars. Those who joined us for our 20th anniversary party may remember how much fun we had, so we’re bringing back the Mardi Gras theme—get ready for a fun-filled night!

We’re also looking for sponsors and prize donations. If you have any ideas, please let us know.

From a hole-in-one to a personal best—and even finding a birdie someone left behind.

Congratulations to Marilyn on her birdie at Shaganappi and to Nancy on scoring a personal best in the high nineties.

Cynthia got her first hole-in-one during a Ladies Mystery Bus Trip to Picture Butte in July. It was not Golfaround’s Mystery Bus Trip, as many know we had to cancel our event because of weather. We still are not revealing where we were headed—we will keep the surprise for next year. Those who enjoy decorating have warned us to watch out, since they now have a full year to plan.

Although it was not a Golfaround event, it is definitely something worth celebrating.

“We played Homestead (9) and Heritage (9), and it happened on Heritage #7—a par 3, 98 yards to the centre flag. After two ladies had teed off, I chose my 9 iron, swung, and we watched the ball land at the front of the green and begin to roll. As the four of us watched, we kept saying, “roll,” “roll,” “roll,” then “go in,” “go in,” “go in.” Suddenly, the ball dropped and disappeared. The celebrations began.

When I started golfing, I always said I wanted to see a hole-in-one or make one myself—check ✅

So exciting!” Cynthia

Happy Canada Day! Wishing you a day filled with pride, gratitude, and joy as we celebrate the kindness, strength, and shared spirit that make Canada feel like home.

The saying “drive for show putt for dough” is a common saying in the golf world. This saying reinforces the importance of putting, especially for those of us that don’t have a long drive. The following was prepared by Shelly Charlton back in 2000 and in our newsletter TEE TIMES.

The Putting Stroke

• the grip changes to a reverse grip and is more in the palms than in the fingers
• set up with your eyes directly over the ball and yur weight should be evenly distributed on both feet
• ball position is slightly to the target side of center
• the stroke is a pendulum motion as the club, hands and shoulders work as a unit. Th upper and lower body are still during the stroke but not rigid
• the stroke is smooth and continuous back and then through the ball. we are tring to maiintain the club face position through the entire motion

Distance Control

• is learned through trail and error. Practice is a must
• The length and pace of the stroke determine distance. The shorter putts require a short stroke with a slower pace and longer putts require a longer stroke and faster pace

Green Reading

• greens vary from contours that are flat to very wavy. The waves are called undulations or slopes
• a slope on the green has the most effect on the direction of the ball as the roll starts to slow down with less speed the ball is less able to resist the pull of gravity
• it helps to stand about 10 feet behind the ball and bend down to effectivley see the slope, if there are no slopes align the putter blade with the middle  of the hole for a straight putt
• if there is a slope determine the high and low points and where your ball is relative to those points
• visulize the ball rolling up or down and curving into the hole
• alignyour blade to that spot and as the ball rolls to the spot and slows down it will curve towards the hole

Remember practice is a must

Dwila  and Colleen are on their way to Regina to compete in this year’s Canadian Gymnaestrada event. Years ago, they joined other mothers in performing alongside their daughters at this event. They thought 2025 might be their final year, but one of their “partners in crime – Dorothy” encouraged them to return so they could complete their journey next year where it began: in Portugal, the international destination for the next event. We are very proud of them all, especially these inspirational mothers.

Slow play is becoming a bigger problem in golf at every level. To keep the round moving and make it more enjoyable, build a few simple habits. Most recreational golfers are not playing for the Green Jacket, so a long putt for double bogey does not need minutes of analysis. Take a brief look, trust your read, and hit the putt.

Use the course information available to you. Most courses offer clear yardages through fairway markers, sprinkler heads, or the scorecard. Spending extra time with a rangefinder on the tee often creates unnecessary delay. If the card shows 150 yards to the center of the green and your device reads 153, those three yards rarely change the shot.

Above all, play ready golf. After every shot, begin preparing for the next one immediately. Once you hit your tee shot, walk toward your ball while thinking through the next play. By the time you arrive, you should only need to pick a club and swing. In a group, use the time while others are hitting to plan your own shot.

Simply put, ready golf replaces the traditional order based on who is farthest from the hole. Whoever is ready can play first.

Ready golf is designed to maintain pace of play safely. Before you hit, make sure your partners and any nearby groups are out of range.

Ready golf is different from simply being prepared to play. Being ready means arriving at your ball with your glove on, your shot evaluated, and a club selected while others are hitting. Thinking ahead helps you play promptly when it is your turn.

Ready golf applies everywhere on the course—on the tee, in the fairway, and on the green.

On the Tee

On the tee, if a long hitter must wait for the group ahead to clear but a shorter hitter can safely play, the shorter hitter should go first. This keeps the group moving and can make the next shots more efficient.

In the Fairway

In the fairway, walkers should go straight to their balls and hit when ready, as long as it is safe. While waiting, check the wind, choose a club, and get set for the shot.

When using carts, the driver should drop off a partner with the needed clubs, then continue to their own ball and prepare instead of waiting by the cart.

Few things slow a round more than searching for a lost ball. If one player is looking, the others should hit first before helping. The player closest to the hole should join the search first, since that player will hit last. Often, the ball is found before the rest of the group finishes playing, which reduces the delay.

On the Green

Ready golf also applies on and around the green. If one player is on the green and another is in a bunker, the player on the green can putt while the other gets ready. Letting the simpler shot go first helps keep play moving.

Putting should not slow the group down. A good rule is to take no more than about 20 seconds once it is your turn. Read the green and line up your putt while others are putting so you are ready to go.

On short putts within a couple of feet, avoid marking unnecessarily when possible. Tap in and clear the way so others can finish the hole.

Be mindful of where you leave your clubs around the green. Put them behind the green or on the side nearest the next tee so you do not have to walk back across the green to retrieve them.

Ready golf applies to every part of the game. When practiced safely, it keeps the round moving and makes the experience better for everyone.

The day league definitely had a few cool starts…. and how about that wind and the rain! A big shoutout to all of us brave souls at D’Arcy for taking the chance. D’Arcy is always so flexible, and the option of 9 or 18 holes—with the promise of rain checks—was enough to convince us to give it a try. Besides, when the sun came out for a bit, it definitely teased us into thinking we might just pull it off! For the ladies who decided not to golf… that may very well have been the better call. The 11 of us who headed out braved a little bit of everything—sun, wind, sleet, that sleet was nasty!  Some made it through four holes, and some of us didn’t even finish the first! But we all ended up exactly where we needed to be—back in the clubhouse, enjoying a great visit and a beverage together. Sandra Hunter once joked that with Golfaround, sometimes we just end up meeting for coffee or something—and she wasn’t wrong! Both we and the course really appreciate everyone making the effort, especially when the weather forecast is questionable. We win some and we lose some, but there are always positives to take away. We may all be fair-weather golfers at heart, but we’ve definitely learned that sometimes golf means taking the bad with the good. I only wish I’d managed to get a better picture of all of us bundled up out there! A very good Golfaround day—plans changed, weather all over the place, and still a good laugh and good company at the end.