FORE…..the Future
Read the article with great interest. I was a member of Golfaround for almost two decades. I moved out of Alberta and there is nothing like Golfaround here. I sure miss the convenience, course choices, lessons, the travel already arranged and organized for you (agree travel should be for gals only) but mostly the friendships made. I totally understand that companies need to be progressive and keep up with the times, and would not like to see Golfaround move too far away from their initial mandate. That old saying … don’t fix it if it isn’t broken… and you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone … is so true. Keep up the good work Kristy and Di. Bring on the changes, but cautiously…….Dianne Andrews

Great News Letter ladies!
I just wanted to express my sincere thanks for all the work you put into Golfaround to make it so easy for all of us women to get out there and golf, have fun and network. I know that I would not be the golfer I am today, if I had not joined so many years ago! I also wanted to make a comment regarding handicaps… I believe that if you keep score and have a handicap, it does not necessarily mean you are competitive, to me, it just shows me where I am in my game. For the women who choose to have a handicap, good for them, if some choose to not keep score and have a handicap, that’s okay too. To me it’s like writing an exam, if you score 60%, it just says, this is where you’re at and if you want to get 70 or 80%, then you’ve got some work to do. If you’re happy with 60%, then great. That’s all…
I am grateful to you both for your drive, desire, innovation and strong ability to be the company at the forefront of women’s golf………………….Lorie Caron

One idea I had to bring in new members is to have a guest week or night and offer for people to bring a friend who pays the green fee and after there would be an informal presentation or chat about the league. I have several girl friends my age who are trying to get into golf or do golf but worry the league is either to hard or not with in their age range.                                                                                                                                    Perhaps even if there was a guest night early on and opportunity for people to join for last month of the season to have a trial to consider for following year……..Alycia Berg

Have you ever noticed and felt envious of that someone who has a great golf swing? There are quite a few of the Golfaround gals who have just that, a swing that encompasses all of the mechanics required for a sound golf swing, power and leverage. They too were beginners and it is interesting to see how far some have improved over the years. Over twenty years ago we introduced a lesson program that many of us feel helped to build a fluid, well-coordinated swing. Initially we called it Golf in Motion but did change it to Swing Improvement. At that time it was taught by our friend and mentor Tiffany Gordon with help from her team. Here it is 18 years later and we are going to relaunch the lessons, and Tiffany Gordon and Brian Fast have agreed to teach it again, the location will be Blue Devil Golf Club. We loved this program and I am sure you will too.
This is a unique golf training program which focuses on the components of the golf swing and reinforces learning and repeating the mechanics necessary to produce muscle memory and in turn a fluid repeatable, effective golf swing. There is no ball. When you are trying to concentrate on learning the various positions of your body and golf club at address and throughout the swinging motion, the ball only serves as a distraction, it automatically shifts your focus to performing vs learning. When you are making a practice swing, you are learning. When you are hitting a golf shot, you are performing.
There are various drills that can be utilized to reinforce this learning like weight transfer drills and body sequence drills. We always remember the “tray of drinks” motion that Brain taught us, of course that would be something we would remember!!! Many of us try to hit the ball and this is where we get into trouble. We tend to use our arms and not our body to hit the ball. What this program will teach you is to use your body to produce a powerful swing and when the ball gets in the way of that swing you will feel an effortless motion and a ball that flies to where you want it to go. One of the Pros at Buffalo Run had some of our beginners hitting the ball with their eyes closed.. This takes away the visual component that causes us all kinds of swing problems, and will teach you to intuitively swing through the ball. you’ll be amazed how quickly you’ll regain your feel for the club and hitting solid shots.

The Comox Valley stretches along the east coast of Vancouver Island and, includes the communities of Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland and Merville, as well as Denman and Hornby islands. It is a very popular region of Vancouver Island known for its natural beauty from snow capped mountains and sub-alpine meadows to sandy beaches and secluded bays.
Join us to enjoy four nights at the Crown Isle Golf Resort, staying in Fairway rooms located in various buildings bordering the first fairway.
Our golf and spa get-away commences upon our arrival around 2pm when we will be transported to the Kingfisher Spa. We will arrive early so we can check out the facility and absorb the beautiful surroundings. We will be able to take a dip in the heated outdoor pool or hot tub or maybe just relax in the sauna and steam cave. Next we will collect our robes and sip our hebal tea before being led in small groups into the Hydropath. What exactly is a Hydropath? We will descend into what feels like an underwater sea cave and follow an indoor circuit of wellness pools. You’ll encounter soothing mineral baths, a waterfall grotto, a scent-infused steam cave, stimulating glacial waterfall (optional!) and more. Following the Hydropath relax on loungers in a tranquil room overlooking the ocean; it’s pure bliss. We will then have the opportunity to indulge ourselves at The AQUA Bistro and Wine Bar or The Ocean 7 fine dining restaurant before returning to the Crown Isle.
On Friday we will tee off at the beautiful golf course which boasts 12 lakes, views of the Beaufort mountain range & Comox glacier, and verdant fairways. We will repeat this event on the Sunday and because we have better knowledge of what to do we will knock our scores out of the water….not too literally we hope.
Saturday is a free day to do whatever we choose, there is more golf in the area or spend the day exploring Comox and Courtney. Downtown Courtenay has a special small town charm but with a vibrant big city style! Whether you are looking for a unique gift idea, to window shop, or just want to grab a coffee and relax outside one of the cafés and watch the world go by, you’ll find plenty to do Downtown. All the shops and amenities are located within easy walking distance, so you won’t have to travel far to find what you need!
When your ‘shopped out’ there’s an array of places for good food but you may want to leave space for some delicious ‘made on premises’ chocolate from Hot Chocolates which has a yummy bakery too.Hot Chocolates has been a mainstay on Courtenay’s boutique-lined 5th Street since 1986. Peruse the charming storefront for assorted hand-crafted Belgian chocolates. Fresh ingredients like house-roasted nuts will settle savoury cravings while cream, wine and fruit infusions (locally sourced, of course) will satisfy the nagging sweet tooth.
The Atlas Cafe might be unassuming to passersbys but locals haunt this Courtenay favourite. Housed in a cozy space with gentle lighting, the Atlas has been serving up fresh plates since 1995. The Atlas is perfect for overstuffed breakfasts or uniquely crafted cocktails, and dessert.
Flights to Comox are offered by both Air Canada and WestJet and have flights that are direct and arrive in good time for the start of our adventure. Check out the events page for details and pricing or give us a call.

The golf industry is facing many challenges, an aging population and a younger generation that has the choice of many other entertainment options. There is also the third party tee time booking companies that diminish the margins for daily fee courses and an excess of golf courses, plus a number of other threats. Golfaround is impacted by these changes and we felt in order to stay the best that we can be we needed to explore what we do and how we do it. More importantly we need to listen and learn from our members to see how we can better meet their needs. We recently gathered a group together that represented our teaching professionals, seasoned and new members from our leagues both in Calgary and in Edmonton so that we could hear your thoughts on what we offer. It was an excellent exercise and we thought it prudent to summarize some of the outcomes.
When it came to the league the majority thought we offered a great selection and lots of choice with cost and location consideration. A suggestion was for less choices and utilization of handicapping when developing tee times but this contradicts one of our core values about being a non-competitive environment. We are aware that there needs to be some consideration about skill level matching and we are working on some ways to address this. Slow play was a concern and we are racking our brains as to how better to manage this. When it came to lessons the newer members enjoyed what we offered and expressed positive evaluations for the teaching professionals. For the long term members they are bored with what is offered and we do think that for some we cannot meet their needs so we are considering a league only option for those who have been a full time member for 10 years or more. Some time management and consistency issues were discussed and we plan to find ways to try to eliminate these problems.
Thanks to those of you who got back to us after the last newsfeed, we were thrilled to see that some of you do check these out. Your feedback was very helpful in these discussions. There were suggestions for some get-a-ways that were planned for gals only and  closer to home as our international travel has gone up in price which is due in part to the value of our dollar and inflation. We were ahead of the game here and have a Golf and Spa Trip planned in the beautiful Comox Valley this May long weekend.
It was stated that we do do a lot of things very well,  however we feel you should never “rest on one’s laurels”. There are opportunities for us to flourish and to escape the threats. This will help Golfaround remain on top of the heap, being the best that we can be, better meeting our members needs in a changing but exciting environment.

Everything changes; it always has, and it always will. Right now we can see the leaves changing colour as fall approaches or should I say has come. We can choose to keep up and be part of the changes, or we can overlook and ignore changes.
We recognize that the golf industry is changing, when our economy changed it has impacted them and because of this they are changing their focus and looking for ways to increase revenue and manage costs so they can stay in business. They also have to see how effectively they are meeting their members needs and providing them with value for their investment.
Golfaround also needs to react to the changes that are occurring and because of this we are looking towards the next season with an open mind. What can we do to keep our long term members and what can we do to attract new members? In order to do this we need to take time to listen and to learn from both our members and some industry professionals.
In order to do this we have elected to hold a Quality Circle inviting representation from both new and long term members from all the leagues as well as representation from the Edmonton component. If you have suggestions please e-mail them to us so that we are aware and can address it.
Some of the things we are considering are adding more diversity to our winter activities that commence in January. We will still offer indoor lessons but we want to add more variety to the “dome’ on Thursday nights. We will try to, maybe, alternate with a south option once in a while and possibly some virtual golf. We would like to offer some “walk the line” opportunities realizing that we may have to have a small charge for this to compensate the golf pro.
Many of our long term members have arrived at a place in their golf game that they need more than we, Golfaround, can offer so we are considering offering a “league only” option for full time members who have been with us for a number of consecutive years.
There will, I am sure, be other things that evolve from the Quality Circle so be sure to stay tuned for more exciting news.
To keep Golfaround at the top of the game we need to think outside the box and react to the challenges that are upon us. We value our members and want to continue to be the best we can be while meeting your needs and staying true to our core values.

Fall is rapidly approaching in Calgary – the leaves are turning, the sun takes longer to warm up, and recently I woke up to frosted rooftops. For runners, we can’t wait for cooler temperatures, the perfect combination of shorts and long-sleeved shirts. However, depending on your sport of choice and where you live, fall marks the beginning of the end. I’m talking about golf season.
I was never interested in golfing. My memories of golf as a kid were roasting in the sun in a golf cart, next to my sister and grandma, while my papa played and grumbled to himself. It’s difficult to learn, it’s expensive, and the season is brief in chilly Alberta. However, my other half is an avid, talented, and lifelong golfer. After we started dating, he almost immediately encouraged me to start playing (I mostly tried to avoid the subject). For our first Christmas together, he surprised me with a set of golf clubs, custom ordered in pink, with a golf bag to match. Okay, I guess it’s time to learn, I thought.
However, learning to golf is not like running. It’s not as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. In Alberta, where you can golf for only a few months of the year, it’s difficult to progress your skills. If the weather cooperates, you start playing in mid-May, and once you get into a groove, it’s time to put the clubs away again for the next eight months. While it was great to have my own set of clubs, I wasn’t playing regularly, and I struggled to improve.
After a few consecutive summers of this frustrating pattern, I decided it was time to join a women’s golf league. It would encourage me to play on a regular basis, and maybe I would get somewhat good at golf. A quick Google search found Golfaround, a women’s league in my city, and they turned out to be fantastic. Run by a mother and daughter team, they are inclusive and encouraging. From beginner golfers to 9-5 working gals to active retirees, there is an option for everyone to play on a weekly basis. The league takes care of booking tee times and coordinating foursomes. All you do is pick your course each week and show up. Membership includes a set of lessons to kick off the season, and there are additional events and weekend golf getaways throughout the summer.
I continued to join this league every summer for the next five years. It’s easy, it’s supportive, and most of all, it’s fun. Just like with running, if you don’t enjoy it, then why do it? I love getting outside for a few hours on a weekday evening, meeting other women and having some laughs.
Golf is a great combination of cross training and a rest day. I love to golf on the day after my long run, because it enables me to walk around for a few hours and work out the kinks in my legs. It doesn’t have to be strenuous or high impact, but it’s still good exercise and gives you a few hours of fresh air.
I decided not to join the league this year, because of life reasons – including house hunting, a different job location, and an unreliable car in the spring. I’ve had a great experience and I highly recommend any woman, who is even remotely interested in golf, to join a women’s league. Golf is a male-dominated sport and I think we have an opportunity to change that.
Try a trusty Google search, like I did, to find a women’s golf league in your area. Take a few lessons and check out local public golf courses. Bring your daughter, mother, or girlfriend with you. If you’re looking for fellow female golfers, then ask around at work, your community association, your running friends or workout buddies, or post on your social media pages. There are other women like you out there, who are interested in golf but maybe not sure how or where to start. All you have to do is reach out and find each other.

Another season is over, where does the time go? It seemed like only yesterday that we were heading out to the kick- off social at Cottonwood and here it is the last of regular play for yet another year. Many will continue the game for a while if the weather gods are good to us and new and old friends alike will gather to hit that little white ball down a sometimes-leafy fairway.

It has been a great season, we have met and got to know some new people and I am sure have also made some new friends. We enjoy the newbies every year and they too have some great things to say about Golfaround and the members they have played with. They have fun and enjoy the supportive environment and comradery after the round. For many of us it has little to do with the number on the score card, but the thrill of seeing the numbers diminish and the dream of doing better, of breaking a hundred or less. This dream feeds our desire to give the game everything we’ve got while having fun and enjoying the outdoors and great people.

Behind all the hours of playing and practising, of all the good shots and not so good shots, of all the successes and failures there is a gal who still tries to hit the ball long and true, fell in love with the game and will never look back.

Don’t forget to check out the newsfeed over the off season, there will be some activities during the winter which you may want to come to. We will not say goodbye but farewell until we meet again and we thank you all for your support and help, Golfaround is what it is  because of the special group of ladies we are lucky enough to be around. If you are missing golf season click here  to bring back old memories.

The weather gods smiled once again and provided 64 Edmonton Day, Evening and Beginner ladies with 21 deg temps and even cleared the smoke from the skies.  Clan members, attired in their finest highland attire were given three games to mess with their scores during their round, including the Loch Ness Poop Challenge and Move Yer Arse Agnus.  In keeping with the Ode to Scotland theme, $174.30 was collected in the Curse Cups placed in each golf cart.  That’s approximately 10 curses per clan, although some cups were noticeably heavier than others! The 50/50 draw was won by Trish Clare who will be using her $165 to pay for some fall golf.  Winners:  Kim Tynacity for Closest to the Pin; Miala Evans for Longest Drive AND Ball in Creek, Lesley Mitchell for Ball in the Sand, Ellen Frombach for Closest to the Target and Hiliary Propp (guest of Lyn Propp) for Longest Putt.  Clan MacEwan (Lorna Farkas, Karmelita Tolpolski, Jennifer Dowdle and Therese Kehler) won Highest Score.  Clan MacKenzie (Paige Nelson, Joan Miller, Joey Matwychuk and Michelle Orgill) won Most Honest Score.  Best dressed was Lesley Lambert. Although Honourable Mention must go to Lorna Farkas who scoured fabric stores for just the right tartan and made herself shorts, a tam and scarf.  Tyler Rumpel, Head Professional and Food and Beverage Manager at Jagare Ridge provided us all with hats and a most excellent meal.  Who knew gluten free pasta could taste so yummy!  In all $339.30 was donated to YESS.

Patti Daye Edmonton Coordinator