Team Blue, winners of the 2024 Presidents Cup: Kneeling: Tammy Gaither, Gale Hicks, Kerri Kay, President Sue Galinski, Joyce Marshall; standing: Ruth Lowe, Connie Griswold, Barb Bettiga, Valerie O’Neal, Diane Bent, LeaAnn Kirby, Linda Phillips, Paula Myers, Pat Sands, Donna Slater, Shannon Duncan, Lucy Lindsey, Laura Ford, Kathy Calloway, Gabie Bull, Staci Brown, Barb Arden
Flight 1 final four: Ruth Lowe (winner), Vice President Candy Conway-Mikulik, President Sue Galinski, Linda Phillips
Flight 2 final four: Becky Kendall, Donna Slater (winner), Bonnie Koehnert, Lee Murphy
Ana Corey
July is the month in which we celebrate the birth of our nation. Red and blue colors are displayed in abundance, and fireworks fill the skies with these same vivid colors. So, what better month to hold the Second Annual Red/Blue Tournament. In what began in 2023 as the Red/Blue Tournament, inaugural teams were captained by the WGA president and vice president. Therefore, this year, a new tradition was born, and two teams battled it out for what is now called the Presidents Cup. The fireworks were on display once again, not on the 4th of July, but rather the 8th and 9th of July as 44 ladies hit the links with the sparks flying.
WGA members were divided into two teams. Team Blue went head-to-head against Team Red. Over the two days, three nine-hole matches of scramble, best ball, and shamble were played to determine the winner. After day one, Team Blue was ahead 108 to 90, but Team Red came to play on day two and was able to secure 51.5 points to Team Blue’s 47.5. Despite a hard-fought battle, Team Blue, captained by WGA President Sue Galinski, came out victorious over Vice President Candy Conway Mikulik’s Team Red.
In addition to the team competition, the ladies participated in an individual shootout. The field was divided into two flights, and one player on each hole was eliminated until only four players remained in each flight. The final four in Flight 1 came down to Vice President Candy Conway-Mikulik, Linda Phillips, President Sue Galinski, and Ruth Lowe. All four players were able to finish with the same score on the final playoff hole, so the four ladies played a chip-off with the closest chip to the flag to determine a winner. Ruth Lowe proved to be the last woman standing in Flight 1 to take the victory. The final four in Flight 2 were Donna Slater, Bonnie Kohnert, Becky Kendall, and Lee Murphy. No chip-off was necessary for Donna Slater, as she won it outright!
Following play on day two, players enjoyed a wonderful tournament luncheon and trophy presentation. Players dined on Presidents Cup croissants, pasta salad, house-made chips, and cupcakes. Kudos to Shelbi, Tom, Whitney, and the staff for an outstanding job! Sue Galinski was presented with the Presidents Cup trophy, and Team Blue players received $20 in cash winnings. The two winners of the individual shootout each received $40 cash.
President Sue Galinski recognized Shannon Dunson, the tournament chair, for a job well done. Shannon’s enthusiasm, attention to detail, creativity, and dedication will certainly be hard to match next year. No doubt all the members of the WGA would re-elect Shannon for the job again if she wants to return for another season!
The Presidents Cup trophy will be displayed in Blue until the 2025 season when, once again, the fireworks will fly as the playing of the tournament ignites once again in the battle of the Red vs. the Blue!