By Karen Graser, President

Do you ever wonder how the money we raise every year for Girls Golf is used?  Well, last Friday, June 26, I had the honor of presenting a $500 scholarship from our LPGA Amateurs Sacramento Chapter to Emma Leingang, a newly graduated senior and First Tee – Greater Sacramento golfer.  The event was the 35^th Annual Sacramento Jr/Sr FUNvitational and after the golf they presented awards and scholarships to some outstanding First Tee student golfers.

Emma graduated from Del Oro High School with a 3.89 GPA and has been a member of First Tee – Greater Sacramento for eight years, picking up the game at age seven.  She has given back as a golf camp instructor for three summers at Indian Creek and has helped with First Tee Junior camps as well.  Her competitive journey took her to the Optimists International Junior Golf Championship in Florida in the summer of 2025.  Her most meaningful memory is being paired with a stranger at her very first tournament at age ten, and that stranger becoming her best friend.  This fall, Emma will attend William Jessup University, where she plans to study Pre-BioMed Nursing and play on the Women’s Golf Team.

Our next fund-raising event is our annual Swing Fore the Girls scramble tournament on August 30, 2026.  There will be fun games and fabulous prizes along with lunch and raffle drawings.  Keep an eye on the website for this and other fun events opening up for registration soon.

By:  Marcia Whiting, Golf Events Director

The battle for Chapter Champion overall and flight winners has begun!  Saturday was a big success with 34 golfers getting a first round score in the books.  Krista Wylder has set the mark in the overall gross category with a sizzling 78!  She will be tough to catch!  In the overall net category, Sherry Murray was on fire with a net 68!  Those two are followed closely by multiple golfers.  Additional players with a net 72 or better included Chao Chen, Laurie Hochmuth, Sharon Blume, and Marcia Whiting.  For a complete review of the scores go to the leaderboard using the GGID:  TXSLK3 

As I stated post round, the flight leaders cannot be determined until the closing of the Round 2 signups.  Once the full field from both flights has been established, we will have 4 flights split by handicap. 

If you did or did not play in Round 1 – it is still ok to play Round 2.  Only one score counts toward determining our winners.  Join the fun, and post round party!  We are also celebrating the 35 year anniversary of LPGA Amateurs.   Round 2 registration is open with spots remaining.  Don’t wait!  Sign up now and be there when our Champions are crowned Sunday, July 19. 

In addition to our Chapter Championship, both of these rounds earn Sacramento River Series points based on individual net play.  The leaderboard has been updated.  In SRS Flight A, Karen Graser scored 3 more net birdies than Marian Kubiak in order to take a slim .3 lead.  In Flight B, Chao Chen has moved .6 ahead of Rona Peters.  Both leaderboards are tightly packed with 3 rounds to go and dropping your lowest round of 7 events.  This will be interesting.

Getting set to warm up!

Marcia, Theresa, and Pam - ready to get started!

Laurie Hochmuth and Mary Lucca (Winners of Fun Play Category)

A lot of post round discussion, bragging, and laughs.

Anybody else spot these guys on the course?

By Marcia Whiting, Golf Events Director

I counted 19 chapter members who made the trip to Plumas County for the annual NCGA Spring Partners event.  This event changes locations but is always 2 player teams, fourball format, and multiple flights.  If you missed the fun this year...it is not too early to start planning for next year. 

The 2026 event was played at Graeagle Meadows and Whitehawk Ranch.   It was perfect golf weather.   Course conditions were great.  The views were awesome.  Time with old and new friends on and off the course was full of conversation and laughter. 

Between rounds of golf...

Most of the chapter players.

You need energy to golf!  

Look closely -- only Sacramento players arrive early to warm up!

Birdie shots!  Some of you remember our long time member, Michelle Ayers (yellow skirt).  She has moved to a house on the 3rd green at Grizzly Ranch.  She helped get several members of the group on to a "fun play" final round at Grizzly Ranch.  It was awesome and so fun to see her.  Of course, those in her foursome appear to have had the most fun!

Catching up with friends.

What a view!

We also played some good golf!  

3^rd place, Flight D      Cheryl Vivas and Jan Richmond

3^rd place, Flight C        Marian Kubiak and Ellie Jones

2^nd place, Flight B        Vicki Philpott and Esther Garcia

3^rd place, Flight A        Andi Saxe and Karen Graser

1^st place, Flight A        Lori Lucius and Marcia Whiting

By Marcia Whiting, Golf Events Director

During the event at Timber Creek on June 20, we had two “competitions” in play - and the weather was great for golf!

This was the first of our two Cal Cup Qualifiers.  For additional information regarding the  California Cup and how our chapter determines who will represent Sacramento – refer to the “2026 Cal Cup Qualifying Procedure” found under “About Us – Chapter Documents” on our website.  Using the process as outlined, the final determination of team members will not be made until the 2^nd qualifier on August 9 at Teal Bend. 

However, the low gross and low net player will definitely be offered the opportunity to be part of our 2026 team.  Those players are Andi Saxe who blew away the rest of us with a gross 77 and Sunny Shimabukuro with a net 70.  Honorable mention goes to Marian Kubiak and Pam Katros who both shot net 71. Nice playing ladies.

In addition we played the third round of the Sacramento River Series (SRS).  The leaderboard has been updated under “Quick Links” on the website.  In a new development, we have a tie at the top of Flight A where Karen Graser is in a dogfight with Marian Kubiak.  This should get interesting. 

In Flight B, we have a swap at the top where Rona Peters now leads Chao Chen by a slim .4.  Another tight race shaping up.  

With four events remaining in the SRS, and we drop your lowest score, everyone is still in the running for those highly coveted top 10 prize winning positions.

And I am very happy to announce we had a foursome who made your “Rules” leader extremely happy.  When a question arose where the players were not certain of the correct procedure, they followed the rules by playing two balls to the conclusion of the hole.  One ball was played as it lies while the second ball was played with relief.  Prior to returning their scorecard, the players brought the issue to the attention of scoring for a determination before completing their scorecard.  That is excellent!  And a good reminder of what will be expected during Chapter Championship.  In any situation where there is doubt about the correct procedure, or there is an unresolved issue during play, the players must bring this up at scoring before signing their scorecard. 

FYI:  When a players ball is IN PLAY in the general area, but an obstruction (split rail fence) that is inside a PENALTY AREA - NO PLAY ZONE (identified by red stakes with green tip) interferes with the players swing, the player is allowed to take nearest point of complete relief + one club length.  No penalty.

 Marcia Whiting, Ramona Marshall, Mary Lucca and Sherry Murray.  This was Mary's first outing with our Chapter.  Unfortunately, she was paired with the "rules" person and learned we play a "max 10" for any ball not played all the way into the hole.  Anyway, welcome Mary. 

 Laurie Hochmuth, Pam Katros and Paula Plesha

 Sunny Shimabukuro, Kris Corbridge, Vicki Philpott and Tina Tran  (My favorite foursome of the day because they correctly followed golf rules and played two balls!  A first for 2026 - yeah!!)

Were we at Timber Creek or Turkey Creek?

Registration for Chapter Championship is currently open.  Play one or both dates -- your best score counts in final scoring.  Gross and Net Chapter Champions - win an LPGA Amateurs cart seat cover.  Gross and Net winners in each of four flights win a "35 year" anniversary celebration hat.  Multiple prizes in all flights.  Come help us celebrate how far we have come since 1991!

By Marcia Whiting, Golf Events Director

Sixteen chapter members set out for Fairfield to compete in the LPGA Amateurs Team Championship.  Members competed as two player teams – day one was fourball and day two was a scramble.  In between golf was time for cards, food, and lots of laughter.  Thanks to all the women who attended and helped make it a fun weekend.  Some random weekend pictures, including teams who brought home some hardware: 

Lori Lucius and Marcia Whiting - Beam Team

Overall Low Gross

Andi Saxe and Marian Kubiak -- Hot Flashes

First Flight - 2nd Gross

Ramona Marshall and Jeri Paik --Birdie Birches

Fourth Flight - Low Net

Yolanda Day and Tyra Jarvis -- Double Trouble

Third Flight - Low Net

Nanci Smith and Kris Corbridge -- Two Positrons

Second Flight - Second Gross

Cards in the lobby!

Marian wins the drawing!

Esther tries to spill my beverage with her golf cart driving skills!

The LPGA Amateurs TEAM Championship is almost here.  This is an annual event presented by our National staff.  This year, the location is here on the west coast at Paradise Valley Golf Course in Fairfield.  Teams from across the nation are competing in this event.  But no chapter is represented better than Sacramento with 8 teams!  The event is June 12 and 13.  You can follow our teams by using the GGID:  26TEAMCHAMP

Cheering for the following teams:

Birdie Birches            Ramona Marshall and Jeri Paik

Hack Attack                Cheryl Vivas and Jan Richmond

Double Trouble         Yolanda Day and Tyra Jarvis

Two Positrons            Kris Corbridge and Nanci Smith

Par-Tee Partners       Kristine Burke and Paula Plesha

Hot Flashes                Andi Saxe and Marian Kubiak

Oldies but Goodies   Vicki Philpott and Esther Garcia

Beam Team                Marcia Whiting and Lori Lucius

Two Haggin Oaks clubs joined up for a fun round of Cha, Cha, Cha on June 10.  The teams were mixed and matched so every foursome had a chance to win valuable prizes.  In the end, the top three winning teams were:

-12     Marian Kubiak, Jen Gregory, Karen Keely, and Judi Ferreira

-10     Sonya Bradley, Paula Plesha, Janet Georgie, and Cindi McCormack

-10     Elaine Fat, Krista Whitman, Liz Eastman and blind draw

Losing in a scorecard playoff….

-10      Lori Lucius, Holly Chang, Karen Moreno and blind draw 

Turkey Creek is in the books!  In the Sacramento River Series, our low team of the day with a 67 was Karen Graser and Lori Lucius.  Karen is now atop the Flight A leaderboard with Lori close behind.  In Flight B, Chao Chen moved into the top spot with Rona Peters right below her.  Still several rounds to go before the SRS is finalized. 

This round also served to determine who would represent our Chapter at the upcoming NCGA Team Play Qualifier.  The Qualifier is July 13 at Whitney Oaks.  There are spots available to sign up even if you are not on a team so come out and cheer for our players.  The teams are:

LPGA Amateurs Sacramento 1:  Marian Kubiak, Jan Richmond, Paula Plesha, Rona Peters

LPGA Amateurs Sacramento 2:  Jen Gregory, Theresa Garcia, Kris Corbridge, Nanci Smith

Let’s go teams!  Represent us with pride!

Please join us in welcoming our newest LPGA Amateurs Sacramento Chapter members!

We are excited to have each of you in our golf community and look forward to seeing you at upcoming events, league play, clinics, and social gatherings.

To our current members, please make our new members feel welcome.  A friendly hello can go a long way in building the connections that make our chapter so special. 

Welcome!

Roxanne Friedrich

Susan Collins

Roni Bowling

Tona Rose

Teri Vago-bejma

Patricia Thomas

Lisa Obaseki

Dana Carrigan

Wanda Sanders

Linda Ollie Anderson

Penelope Crumpley

Jenni Albee

Patricia Martin

Mary Lucca

Together we're building a community where every member feels welcomed, connected and inspired to enjoy the game of golf. 

Monique Cox 

Membership Chair

By:  Marcia Whiting, Events Director

And the second Lucky 7 series – the Sacramento River Series (SRS) – is off and running.  Jumping to an early 0.1 lead in Flight B is Tina Tran.  She is closely followed by Karen Zamarripa, Carrie Yoshida and many others.  In Flight A, the first round resulted in a tie at the top between Kristine Burke and our President, Karen Graser.   But everyone is still in close pursuit.  If you missed round one at Wildhawk, remember we will be dropping the lowest score in the final standings.  It is never too late to come out and play –especially if you want to play “just for fun”.  We love fun golfers.

At Wildhawk, we played Lone Ranger format.  One golfer was designated to score on specific holes, along with the best net of the remaining three.  It was a close, and fun, event.  (If you would like to review the entire leaderboard, it is available in Golf Genius using the GGID:  ML58YW)

Also, it seems Wildhawk was recently re-rated by USGA – the slope changed from 110 to 113.  With this update, the final scores changed slightly.  We had some great golfers playing lead by Kristine Burke with a net 68! Wow! Others shooting net 72 or better included:  Karen Graser, Andi Saxe, Lori Lucius, and Karen Zamarripa.  Leading the net birdies category, with seven each:  Karen Graser, Susan Collins, and Kristine Burke. 

Our team results:

Three teams with the lowest score – earning 3 points each:

135     Kristine Burke, Lori Lucius, Marian Kubiak, Carrie Yoshida

136     Chao Chen, Andi Saxe, Marcia Whiting, Karen Zamarripa

136     Karen Graser, Margie Longo, Tina Tran, Rona Peters

Two teams earning 2 points each:

138     Sunny Shimabukuro, Vicki Philpott, Sonya Bradley, LaRhonda Sayles-Willis

139     Rita Langolias, Jody West, Paula Plesha, Susan Collins

 Check out the new Sacramento Series Leaderboard under Quick Links!

Marcia Whiting and Andi Saxe celebrating twin birdies on Par 3, #4 at Wildhawk.  (I'm the twin on the left)

Our "ladies in pink" rolled up to the first tee....photo bombed by the "ladies in blue"!

Whew....for me personally...it was a brutal day at The Ridge to wrap up the Arcade Creek Series (ACS).  The weather was pleasant, the company was pleasant...but the golf was...ugh.  I'm humbled!  Lucky for me we only take on The Ridge once per year!  Thanks to everyone who came out for the challenge. 

This was our final ACS event...blind draw for partners in Fourball scoring.  The teams which excelled with a final round of 3+ points:

65  Nanci Smith and Sonya Bradley  (How did that combo come out in first place??)

66  Pam Katros and Jeri Paik (That makes sense.)

69  Susan Collins and LaFronda Sayles-Willis (name change made by The Ridge cart)

70  Theresa Garcia and Chao Chen (Theresa wins 2 weeks running???)

71 Tie  Marian Kubiak and Marcia Whiting  (Thank you Marian!!) tied with Lynda Lapp and her blind draw

The leaderboard has been updated.  We ended with a tie in Flight A - so we paid 11 places in both flights!  The next 7 series starts at Wildhawk next week.  Let's get it on!

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!