Our Chapter was well represented at the NCGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship.  The tournament was conducted at the newly renovated Poppy Ridge Golf Course on November 3 and 4.  This is always a fun tournament.  Who doesn’t love to golf with a partner!

The team of Karen Garcia (our Chapter Champion!) and Lynne Cowan combined for a two day score of 136 in the gross competition.  This resulted in a tie for first place where they were bested by a first hole birdie which gave them the 2^nd place trophy.

In the Golden Gate Flight, chapter members, teammates (and sister duo) of Pam Katros and Tyra Jarvis came out FIRST with a two day net total of -13.  Great work!   Also competing in this flight was the team of Andra Saxe and Marian Kubiak who played two solid rounds and finished at -2.

In the Big Sur Flight,  the team of Lori Lucius and Marcia Whiting tied for fourth place with a two day score of -6.

And, in the Yosemite Flight, Nanci Smith and Kris Corbridge came to enjoy the course, friends, and the spectacular weather in Kris’ first return to golf since fracturing her left arm several weeks ago.  

Lynne Cowan and Karen Garcia

Tyra Jarvis and Pam Katros

Kris Corbridge, Nanci Smith, Andra Saxe, and Marian Kubiak

Saturday, November 1 we wrapped up the Capitol City Tour with stroke play at Bing Maloney.  Although Fall is around the corner, we enjoyed perfect golf weather.  Good thing because we had plenty of time to enjoy it as we waited for the public play to get out of our way.  Happy to report all of our groups were in position and ready to go when things cleared ahead.  I appreciate the yearlong efforts of everyone to make sure “we” are never labeled as the “slow play” problem.

Now, on to the results….In Flight A, Lori Lucius won the top spot.  I just realized she was tops in both the TBT and CCT.  Hmmmm.  The battle of the day turned out to be Sunny Shimabukuro and Laurie Hochmuth.  Sunny scored four birdies, Laurie two, and Sunny went on to win the final spot in the $$ by a 2 birdie margin. 

In Flight B, the tour opened with a tie between Doreen Freund and Jen Gregory.  During the ensuing weeks Doreen crept forward and never relinquished the top spot.  In the end Doreen opened up a 6+ point lead to grab the first place prize.  At the “cut line” we had a tie for 12th place which resulted in prizes for both Lynda Lapp and Marina Armbruster who edged out Karen Zamarripa by ONE net birdie. 

It has been fun watching this leaderboard unfold.  We had 55 individual competitors join in.  Thanks for playing.  I’m already brainstorming ideas for next year!

Lori Lucius (FLIGHT A winner) prepares to tee off with her foursome.  Big welcome new member playing in her first event, Melissa Barnes.  And other flight winners, Jan Richmond and Vicki Philpott.

Doreen Freund (FLIGHT B winner) gets set for play with Nanci Smith and Tracey Hall.

Jen Gregory still smiling with the second place spot in Flight B.  Sunny Shimabukuro and Laurie Hochmuth, still friendly before Sunny snatched the final paying spot on the leaderboard.

Three winners pictured here!  Ellie Jones, Stephanie Clendenin, and Jeri Paik.  (Jeri was a double winner Saturday when her Dodgers clinched the World Series in exciting fashion.)

An assortment of unexpected winners -- Maureen Hannan, Karen Graser, Pam Katros, and Sonya Bradley.

And, after being schooled on how to take a selfie!....My foursome had the most fun, Rita Langolias, Ramona Marshall, Tammy Beckman, and Marcia Whiting.

One player reports that bringing friends along helps pass the time.

White shin socks...pants one size too short...I'm out of words.  

As previously reported, our chapter had two competitors in the recent California Senior Women's Amateur Championship.  They were great representatives of good golf!

Krista Wylder placed 2nd in her flight with rounds of 81/78/79 for a gross 238. 

Karen Garcia played better each day and finished with a total 237 (86/78/73) for 14 place overall.

Congratulations to both ladies.   We are proud to call you members!

Delta Breeze at 2025 Cup Finals

(Bottom to top left to right:  Pam Katros, Vicki Philpott, Marcia Whiting, Lori Lucius)

Shout out to our chapter members -- Sunny Shimabukuro and Margie Longo - who recently played, and played well, in the PWGA Legacy Helen Lengfeld Tournament.  The competition was held over two days at Del Monte and Poppy Hills in Monterey.  Battling some fog and overcast sky, alternating with sunny and clear, our players did great!

Margie tied for 11th low gross on these two challenging courses.

Sunny was first low net in her flight and 8th net overall. 

Congratulations to both players!  Way to represent.

Chapter members Pam Katros, Vicki Philpott, Lori Lucius and Marcia Whiting are packing for Florida!  The will be competing in the LPGA Cup Finals event in Miramar Beach on October 24 and 25.  

You are invited to follow the action using the GGID:  25CUPFINALS

Our Chapter enjoyed a great day at Empire Ranch on October 18.  Match play fourball was the format for the day.  Pairings were arranged by handicap which resulted in some very tight matches which were reflected in scoring.  One match resulted in a tie and the rest were not decided until the final couple of holes.   Lots of pressure filled putts!

By her stellar play, Doreen Freund has slightly increased her first place spot on the leaderboard.  After all, she did score 10 net birdies!!   This resulted in an extra leaderboard point for the day.  We had lots of good scores with 10 players below net 72.  Esther Garcia lead the way with a net 66!  Wow.  Right behind her, with net 67, we had Marina Armbruster, Sonya Bradley, and Doreen Freund.  (Remember, individual scores are also a way to earn CCT leaderboard points – all 10 of those who shot net 72 or better were guaranteed to get 5 points.)

Match Scores

Jen Gregory and Ramona Marshall TIED Jeri Paik and Yolanda Goff

Sunny Shimabukuro and Tyra Jarvis 2 up over Karen Graser and Susan Esposito

Ellie Jones and Nanci Smith 2 and 1 over Kas Khachadourian and Lori Lucius

Jan Richmond and Esther Garcia 1 up over Marian Kubiak and Sonya Bradley

Marcia Whiting and Vicki Philpott 1 up over Andi Saxe and Pam Katros

Doreen Freund and Marina Armbruster 4 and 2 over Tracy Starkey and Lynda Lapp

Our hot players of the day - Doreen and Esther!

Fun day with friends!  Thanks for the laughs. 

We played The Ridge in June and October.  The course won both times!  Only 5 golfers were able to score in the net 70’s.  It was an 18 hole battle, but we were up for the challenge.  Although the task was increased due to cart path only. (A result of our first Fall rain storm earlier in the week.)  In addition to golf everyone was able to get their 10,000 steps in!

We played Cha, Cha, Cha in foursomes.  First hole, only 1 net ball counted (cha), second hole, 2 net balls counted (cha, cha) and third hole, 3 net balls counted (cha, cha, cha).  And repeat. 

There was a lot of hard work and some very close results.  I appreciate everyone showing up and playing hard.  It turned into perfect fall weather and a fun day with friends.

6 point teams

134 score:  Lori Lucius, Nanci Smith, Jeri Paik, Jen Gregory

135 score:  Andi Saxe, Pam Katros, Tyra Jarvis, Lynda Lapp

4 point teams

137 score:  Paula Plesha, Marcia Whiting, Karen Graser, Doreen Freund

139 score:  Tammy Beckman, Vicki Philpott, Ramona Marshall, Marian Kubiak

2 point teams

145 score:  Ellie Jones, Theresa Garcia, Sonya Bradley, Susan Esposito

What a weekend!  Your very own Sacramento Chapter team won the 2025 Cal Cup competition.  And it was a nailbiter.  A great event from start to finish.  Our Chapter was represented by a great team and a long list of smiling volunteer helpers.  We truly proved, once again, we have the membership who will step forward to make an event awesome. 

Sacramento was able to snatch victory over Northern Nevada by a slim .49 margin.   Final score:  Sacramento 14.60 and Northern Nevada 14.11.  The rest of the teams ranged from 10.93 to 4.73.  Every member of our team contributed points and we needed all of them to retain the trophy here in Sacramento.   It was a fun event from the Friday night welcome reception to the Sunday afternoon trophy presentation. 

“Thank You!” is owed to too many chapter members to name.  At check in, raffle tables, spotters, scoring, you name it – I saw members of our chapter giving a helping hand.   I’ve included a few photos from the weekend but could not capture all of our volunteers and behind the scenes elves.  Included in those who stepped up, a big thank you to the staff at Haggin Oaks (Morton Golf).  From the exclusive Friday night shopping experience (thank you Tammy Beckman) to the course painting (thank you Soleil Gutchess) and all the other staff who worked hard to make it enjoyable for all, thank you!   I could not be more proud of what we pulled together here in Sacramento.   Already looking forward to a three-peat in Orange County 2026.

(Many more pictures available on the Cal Cup portal at GGID:  2025calcup)

From the NCGA Golf April 2025 Magazine:

Karen Garcia, member of the LPGA Amateurs - Sacramento Chapter remembers her win at the 2015 U. S. Senior Women's Championship with NCGA as they get ready to host the U. S. Women's Mid-Amateur on October 4-9.

Read the article HERE...