The Useless Bay Golf and Country Club women’s groups have a 9:30 a.m. tee time for a reason.
It is during the early hours that the grass is slightly moist and dewy, the air only subtly chilly and cool, and the sky blooms a relaxing pale gray. The Northwest’s signature evergreens tower above the precisely trimmed grass. The morning breeze is soothing. The silence is cleansing.
Anyone who has set foot on the Useless Bay golf course has more than enough reasons to realize why South Whidbey’s women golfers are lucky.
The Country Club has two women’s golf groups, the Nine-Hole Club and the 18-Hole Club. Both provide a friendly atmosphere for golfers of all ages and skill levels, allowing them to control the amount of golf they play as well as the degree of competitiveness.
Barbara Lindahl, chairwoman of the golf committee at Useless Bay and a member of the state and Pacific Northwest golf associations, believes Useless Bay provides an especially supportive atmosphere for women golfers.
“It gives you a chance to meet people and leisurely talk. You could meet your new best friend at one of the clubs,” Lindahl said. “There’s a little competition, of course, but you are mainly competing against yourself. You can choose to play competitively or not.”
The 18-Hole Club lists approximately 130 members and has consistently been a well-supported golf group throughout its history. Intramural-style games are held every Tuesday, attended by 50 to 60 members divided into teams of four. Teams may be composed via either signup or a random selection process.
The 18-Hole Club, which consists of the more competitive club members, travels to play other teams from the Skagit, Mill Creek, Everett and Whidbey golf and country clubs.
Susanne Boyer, captain of the 18-Hole Club and a member for 13 years, is especially proud of the amount of money collected this year in the Susan B. Komen cancer fund-raiser, a tournament that has become an annual event.
“It has usually been an event for just the 18-Hole Club, but this year we invited the Nine-Holers to participate,” Boyer said. “It was very successful. We raised $1,225, which is more than last year.”
The Useless Bay course is scheduled to host the State Women’s Golf Association Amateur Tournament in 2009.
Co-captain of the 18-Hole Club and next year’s appointed captain, Diane Anderson, who has been a club member for 10 years, has been actively involved since the group’s conception.
“There was only a handful of members when I started. There wasn’t much money in the club and Useless Bay had only a Nine-Hole group,” she said. “Now, with an 18-Hole Club and team, there are more special activities for members.”
One activity in particular allows members to benefit from Useless Bay’s head golf professional, Bill Davis, who gives free clinics at the beginning of each April-to-October season.
“It is quite unusual for a pro to be so supportive of a club organization,” Anderson said.
Aside from the club’s ability to strengthen skills, Anderson believes it provides a valuable discovery for those who connect with it.
“It’s a walk with yourself,” Anderson said. “Golfing unfolds who you are. It is a very revealing experience.”
For women who desire less competition or who have less time to devote to golf, there is the Nine-Hole Club option.
The group, which was started 11 years ago with only six members, has grown considerably.
Though not as large as the 18-Hole group, the club boasts a sizeable membership of 56 women, ranging in age from 48 to 80. Like the 18-Hole Club, Nine-Holers also play in teams of four against each other. About 30 members attend the regular Thursday games.
Club Chairwoman Jeanie Norman holds an appreciation for the group’s non-competitive, loose atmosphere.
“We don’t play serious golf. It’s fun, and very relaxed,” she said. “It’s been a tremendous way to meet people. But the best part is meeting so many players of different ages.”
Especially for those who cannot commit the entire day to golf, the Nine-Hole Club provides an opportunity to satisfy those who love to play but have busier schedules.
“Many of us love just playing nine holes and then having lunch with the group. Afterward, we still have most of the day left,” Norman said.
With never a boring moment, the Nine-Hole Club keeps things interesting by participating in special monthly games.
“Once a month we have a couples game where we assemble teams of two with the men. Afterwards, we all have dinner together,” Norman said. “Once a month we also play the back nine holes, which are tougher. Usually, we only play the front nine.”
Barbara Bergman, a longtime member of the Nine-Hole Club, helped start the group with three other women, Jay Richards, Jean Raichle and Sally Wilcox.
“I think everyone likes the camaraderie. We compete when we play, but it’s a nice competition,” Bergman said. “We have some very good players here as well as some that are learning. We want anyone who wants to play to come.”
Lindahl agrees.
“Women’s clubs are growing everywhere. There are plenty of privileges for women at Useless Bay,” she said. “More people are beginning to realize how popular women’s golf is turning out to be.”
That’s one more reason why South Whidbey’s women golfers are lucky. Besides, the grass is always greener at 9:30 a.m.
