Interested in learning about match play rules and strategy -- this is the class for you.   It's free to all members and a wonderful opportunity to get first hand information from our very own, Marcia Whiting, a certified NCGA Rules Official.

Match play is the original golf format!  Come learn the rules and strategy specific to match play.  This class is an initial step or refresher for all golfers.  We are playing match play in some games in the first series for 2026.  If you have questions about situations that arise during Match Play -- come to this interactive class where all your questions will be answered. 

During this session, Marcia Whiting our rules certified instructor will explain the format and rules of Singles, Four Ball and Foursomes. She will also demonstrate both common and unique situations which can occur at the tee, on the fairway and especially on the green

This class is part of our LPGA member to member knowledge sharing.

Our first round of match play was a big success!  Empire Ranch turned out to be the perfect course for some close matches and impressive net scores. 

Reminder on our “points” scoring – in addition to the format of the day, players may always earn points based on their individual play.  Net 72 or below guarantees 3 points, net 73-79 guarantees 2 points, and individual net birdies are always .1 added to score.

So, the big winner of the day appears to be Kris Corbridge.  Kris, and Rona, lost their match after a battle all the way to the final hole!  However Kris shot a sizzling 63 net with10 net birdies which resulted in a total of 4 points on our leaderboard!  Wow.   She tied with LaRhonda for high points of the day!

Our low gross of the day was Andi Saxe with 75 – including an eagle on Hole 15.  I heard the celebration 3 holes away. 

Leaderboard has been updated and it is getting interesting.  Nanci Smith leads Flight A by .1.  That is only one net birdie above Andi.  In Flight B Ramona Marshall has a 1 point lead over Jan Richmond and Marian Kubiak who are tied for second place. 

Two rounds left in the ACS – good luck to everyone trying to make a move.  (Registration is still open for the final round at The Ridge on May 24.)

 Guess who got the birdie?  (Jody West, Lori Lucius, Marcia Whiting, Pam Katros)

Guess who got the EAGLE? (Penelope Crumpley, Nanci Smith, Laurie Hochmuth, Andi Saxe)

The first ever NCGA Match Play Ladder for Women is officially underway!  We have several members signed up and eager to test there game under match play format!  You can watch the leaderboard on NCGA.org.  

Spoiler alert:  Both of these matches went to the very last hole (and more).  Charlotte Wells came back to pull off a last hole victory over Paula Plesha.  It took 19 holes for Andi Saxe to defeat Pam Katros.  Gotta love match play!  Good luck to everyone playing.

UPCOMING EVENT:  Interested in playing individual stroke play on a local private course?  The NCGA Legacy Stroke Play tournament is coming up on June 1 and 2 at El Macero Country Club in Davis.  Registration is open on the NCGA website until May 11.  All handicaps are welcome -- gross and net winners awarded.  Several of our members are already signed up so join in!

What is Book Club?

Four fun sessions focusing on lowering scores in the short game in a book club format.   It includes famously tried and true methods outlined in Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible, “Chapter 5: How to Score.”    Yes - only one chapter.   Buying the book is recommended but not necessary (it's available on Amazon or via many used book sites online). 

 Recommended for new & experienced golfers. 

• May 3, Sunday 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm : A virtual overview of the scoring approach outlined in the chapter
• May 8 Friday 6 pm - 8 pm: Establish a Short Game Handicap at the Haggin Oaks Academy Holes
• May 29 Friday 6 pm - 8 pm: A fun evening at Pin High Golf Simulator in Stones Gambling Hall
• June 14 Sunday 930 am - Noon: Update your Short Game Handicap at the Haggin Oaks Academy Holes

Round #4 of the Arcade Creek Series (ACS) wrapped up Sunday at Mather golf course.   Nanci Smith has edged into the lead in Flight A.  She is closely followed by Andi Saxe and Karen Graser.  In Flight B, Ramona Marshall retains her spot at the top.  The top ten in each flight are now highlighted in yellow on the leaderboard showing who is currently in those top ten “prize” positions. 

We learned a couple of things during our round at Mather:

1. Weather forecasters are merely guessing.

1. Always leave your rain gear in the bag.

I appreciate all the hardy golfers who showed up to give it a go.  We played Fixed Score with a partner randomly assigned by Golf Genius.  Each player who scored net par or better earned 1 point.  With both partners, there was a total of 36 points possible.  Our six winning teams:

23     Marian Kubiak and Vicki Philpott

23     Lori Lucius and Marcia Whiting

23     Sonya Bradley and Nanci Smith

22     Margie Longo and Marina Armbruster

22     Andi Saxe and Ramona Marshall

22     Sherry Murray and Cheryl Vivas

Our field of players….dressed for weather...

Pam, Jan, Marcia and Cheryl

Kris, Jeri, Sherry, and Nanci

Theresa, Jen, Vicki, and Sonya

Marian, Karen, and Andi

Stephanie, Ramona, and Susan

Jody, Marina, and Margie

Rosie, Lori, Susan, and Charisse

The NCGA Senior/Super Senior tournament was scheduled for play on Tuesday and Wednesday.  The rain did not cooperate on Tuesday.  Play was cancelled and players were left to hike the foothills, play cards, investigate Angels Camp, wine tasting in Murphy’s, or just relax!  With the tournament reduced to one day, players had to bring their "A" game on Wednesday.  Our chapter was well represented with more than 10 competitors in the field. 

Vicki Philpott proved that one day was all she needed.  She blew away the competition.  Vicki shot a gross 74 at Copper Valley.  The tournament used stableford scoring.  Vicki was at the top of the leaderboard for both gross, with 34 points, and net with 40 points.  The closest competitor in gross play was 9 points behind her!  I’m guessing she had all phases of her game clicking to put up those numbers!  

Other chapter members who played some great golf during the tournament include: 

Kris Corbridge, Super Senior 3^rd place overall net and first Flight D  (35 points)

Esther Garcia, Super Senior, 1^st place in Flight C (33 points)

Lori Lucius, Senior, 2^nd place in Flight B (35 points)

Sunny Shimabukuro, Senior, 4^th place in Flight D (31 points)

Congratulations to everyone who competed.  We were well represented!

The beautiful weather brought out the golfers.  Ancil Hoffman was packed which resulted in a long round!  I hope you had the chance to look around and enjoy the setting.  We are lucky to have access to a day spent in a park. 

Nanci Smith and Paula Plesha were in a golfing groove!  They ended at the top with each earning 44 stableford points, scoring net 64, and 8 net birdies each.   Nanci lead the field with a gross 78.  Closely followed by Stacey Baradit and Margie Longo who each shot 80.  Nice golfing ladies!

The top 11 stableford scores (and ties) were awarded 3 points.  Those big winners:

44       Nanci Smith, Paula Plesha

38       Doreen Freund

37       Stacey Baradit, Karen Graser, Marian Kubiak

36       Kristine Burke, Sonya Bradley

35       Tina Tran, Vicki Philpott

34       Lori Lucius, Andra Saxe, Kris Corbridge, Ramona Marshall, Rona Peters, Jeri Paik, Margie Longo, Jen Gregory 

As always, individual scores in the net 70’s guaranteed 2 points and net 72 or below guaranteed 3 point.  Net birdies were each worth .1

The updated leaderboard for the Arcade Creek Series (ACS) can be found under “Quick Links” on the website.  Remember, prizes awarded to top 10 in each Flight.  For a complete review of the Ancil Hoffman event leaderboard, you may go to Golf Genius and use the GGID:  BQEU5Q

Shout out to our Spotlight Sponsor, Tona Rose of Golf Fitness with Tona Rose.  Tona met each group at the tee box for a brief introduction and free lip balm.  Loved her energy.  She promises to join in and golf at some upcoming events.

Tona Rose talking with players at the first tee.  She's available to make us better golfers!

Jan identifies a need for careful review of a scorecard after Sonya records a net albatross!

Nicely color coordinated foursome.  All but one of this group earned 3 + points....hmmmmm

Golf Buddies!!  Tina Tran and Susan Collins

Just hit it!

News From HQ

LPGA Amateurs Member ID Easily Available 
Have you accessed your 2026 LPGA Amateurs Member ID card yet? LPGA Tour season in full swing, be sure to have it ready to enjoy complimentary entry to LPGA and Epson Tour events for you and a guest.    Click the link below for step-by-step video instructions or detailed written instructions.  

Questions? Contact membership@lpgaamateurs.com

LPGA Amateurs Team Championship Registration Phase 2 Open!

Registration for the 2026 Biggest Loser Handicap Challenge opened on Thursday, April 16!  

How low can you go?! This five-month-long, stroke-shaving competition challenges LPGA Amateurs members from across the Association. It's only $15 USD to participate! Prizes will be awarded to the member with the best overall improvement and the most improved member in each flight. Click here for rules and registration.  Questions? Email handicap@lpgaamateurs.com 

Our NCGA Club Representative, Pam Katros, has provided the following list of events likely to be popular with our Chapter members.  Check your schedule and sign up early as some of these will fill up fast.  They are fun events!  

NCGA Events | June – August

The following events will open for registration on 4/13/26.

Registration can be found on the NCGA website here. 

Several members recently participate in the “Women’s One Day” event at Lincoln Hills on April 7.  It was a fun event and we hade several Chapter members came home winners of the day. 

Big winner -  Yolanda Day (overall 2nd place, 1^st in her flight)

Great day for Paula Plesha (overall 4^th place, 3^rd in her flight)

In Flight A, 2^nd place went to Nanci Smith, and 3^rd place to Pam Katros.

In Flight C, 3^rd place, Jan Richmond.

Ursula Whitfield

The long awaited Lucky Seven Series kicked off at Teal Bend on Saturday, April 4.  We got great weather for our 35 players who came out to secure an opening spot on the Arcade Creek Series (ACS) leaderboard.  Check out “quick links” on the website to see the leaderboard.  The game of the day was singles, drop the 3 worst holes.  Top 12 players received 3 points, next 12 were given 2 points, and everyone who played was guaranteed 1 point.  Additional .1 was awarded for each net birdie. 

Our star of the day turned out to be Yolanda Day –our own recently married Yolanda Goff!  She was low net at 64.  Nice playing!  In confirmation that net birdies will matter in tiebreaking – Yolanda was edged out for top of the leaderboard by Ramona Marshall who got one more.

Low gross was a tie between pals, Karen Graser and Pam Katros who both shot 87.  Second low net went to Ramona Marshall (68) and third low net was a tie between Betty Galvez, Marian Kubiak, and Karen Graser (71). 

In an unfortunate development, I had to update the course information for scoring.  While it resulted in some additional birdies across the field, it also dropped me from the top 12 point winners!  This was great news for Joanie Lew who secured the final “3 point” spot on the leaderboard.

We already have a battle at the top with a Flight A first place tie between Pam Katros and Karen Graser!  They are now the target.  In Flight B, Ramona Marshall clings to a .1 lead!

Six Sacramento Chapter Members play in the 2026 NCGA Women's Net Amateur Championship at Poppy Hills March 30-March 31.   In the photo (Left to Right):  Ramona Marshall, Pam Katros, Vicki Philpott, Tyra Jarvis, Marian Kubiak, and Jan Richmond.  Also playing but not pictured was new member, Dana Carrigan.

Results