Fired up and eager to begin official play, Evergreen Women’s Golf Association will open its season at 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, at Evergreen Golf Club, a nine-hole course near Mt. Angel. With “Share the Game” as this year’s theme, new members are invited to a free round of golf that day.
Golfing every Tuesday, some of the women play nine holes and others go around twice for 18. Most of them walk the course. “The benefit, of course, is that it’s a good walk and it’s an easy walk,” said association member Rose Abrahamson of Silverton. “There’s not too much climbing.”
Jeremy Reding, co-owner with his father, John Reding, said, “They’re a great group and several women come out rain or shine. They’re a friendly and we’re glad to have them.”
The course rating is 67.2, “about average, I’d say,” for handicapping purposes, he said.
“There’s two requirements for playing,” Abrahamson said. “One, have fun, and two, know where you want to eat.” Members traditionally eat lunch somewhere in the area following the game.
Although the association is comprised of different abilities, some who play in the 80s, she said, “We’re all there for the same reason, the camaraderie.”
The association offers two levels of membership: regular, for women who play golf and want their scores recorded to establish and retain a handicap; and social, for those who join the social activities only or who belong to and pay their handicap at another club. Regular membership is $50 and social, $20. The first-Tuesday-of-each-month members eat lunch together at Evergreen and prizes are handed out for the previous month’s play.
Members who cannot play on Tuesday mornings can play the evening before, allowing them to qualify for a handicap and days played. Social activities offered include the annual holiday party in December and the opportunity to help with the invitational in July.
Regular club membership includes belonging to the Oregon Golf Association and a free round of play at the Tukwilla course in Woodburn. Abrahamson describes Tukwilla as “very challenging but fun to play.”
The season ends in October. The Evergreen course is not soggy as winter approaches, as some western Oregon courses tend to be. “Its in beautiful condition,” Abrahamson said, “one of the best courses around here.”
Asked what she derives from club membership, she said, “Personally, I love it for the social, women having fun and the exercise.”
For information on Evergreen Women’s Golf Association, contact Victoria Olheiser, 503-267-7265, or Rose Abrahamson, 503-873-5070. Sharon Davis is the club president.
