Annual Conference Update

By Sally Dixon, Leadership Chair The annual conference for EWGA across our country and Canada was held at Pinehurst Resort and Spa in North Carolina April 7- 10, 2010. Peggy Dunner and Sally Dixon represented the Seattle Chapter at the “Golfpalooza” extravaganza. This is the event that brings members from all over our country and our sisters from chapters in other countries together to meet, greet and bond. Over four hundred members came together to celebrate with golf events and to embrace old friendships and make new ones. There is a little bit of everything for everybody who attends. Each day keynote speakers were outstanding keeping our interest with great ideas to take back to our chapters, presented with a sense of humor that kept us begging for more. For example, Jan Hargarve kept us captivated with her “Let Me Hear Your Body Talk” providing in depth character assessments and body language for the “hidden messages” of the people around you. She has been instrumental in jury selections for high profile cases and gave us a couple tips on reading people in interviews and things to look for. Yes... we all watched Tiger’s press interview at Augusta afterwards to see the “signs”. Sally spent five fun filled days with so many memorable experiences. Pinehurst offers 8 excellent courses for the golf experience. Then there was the evening reception with Annika Sorenstam up close and personal. Four lucky ladies got to play 9 holes with her on #2 including Terry Marshall from the Portland chapter, who by the way out drove her on a hole. Stina Sternberg from Golf Digest gave us some valuable hints on equipment; “don’t buy without a demo” because the right equipment is key and women should use “women friendly” golf balls. Soft core 2 piece balls are best for the majority of us... we swing at a lower speed (60-65 mph average) and the soft compression gives us more lift. Height is our friend was the message I walked away with. There were the learning labs, Try, Test and Buy exhibits from the manufacturers and clinics with LPGA greats Jean Bartholomew, Dana Rader and the exciting Suzanne Pettersen. But wait... the most exciting part of this experience for anyone who has ever attended is what this great EWGA membership is all about. It is a time to reinforce what we are really all about - Connect- Learn- Play- Belong. You owe it to yourself to plan ahead and make the effort to get involved because it is “the time of your life”. Let’s make plans to spotlight the Seattle Chapter at next year’s conference scheduled April 13-16, 2011. It will be the 20th anniversary of EWGA’s beginning and a spectacular extravaganza is planned on Amelia Island, Florida. Let me know if you want to join the fun.