Ana Corey, Publicity Chair
Sept. 22 was Derby Day at Robson Ranch, the 2023 theme of the annual Hoof ‘n Heels Tournament. The fillies were all lined up for the shotgun start, golf clubs in hand instead of riding crops. The bugler sounded the “the first call,” and out trotted Allie, the championship horse owned by the tournament chair, Candy Mikulik. As the Derby Day mascot Allie pranced her way out to begin the competition, women clad in derby day hats and jockey attire headed to their respective holes.
Using all three courses, seven flights of pairs played the 666 format, 6 holes of scramble, 6 holes of alternate shot and 6 holes of best ball. In the end, three pairs crossed the finish line in their respective flights to complete their triumphant trifecta finish. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three pairs in each flight. The first-place winners were: Flight 1: Marlene Womack and Tonia Sherrouse, Flight 2: OkCha Cummings and Janis van Hoorebeke, Flight 3: Judy Fletcher and Donna Kirkwold, Flight 4: Lea Ann Kirby and Delores Knowles, Flight 5: Sue Clearfield and Sue Greco, and Flight 6: Bonnie Kohnert and Lynda Crossan.
The event began the day before with a practice round and pool party. The ladies/fillies received the first of their tee gifts, a Robson Ranch tote bag, and were refreshed with frozen peach daiquiris, wine, Yuengling lager, bottled water, and sodas. They also enjoyed pork tacos in corn tortillas, with grilled peach salsa and cilantro crema on the side, hot brown sliders, tortilla chips, salsa and cilantro-lime slaw instead of a bucket of oats, and the girls cooled their heels in preparation for the big event the following day. A few frolicking fillies found their way into the pool for the ultimate cool down!
The course was set with hole sponsors passing out goodies as the players progressed down the field to the 18-hole finish. All the holes were cleverly decorated with jockey shirt signs, with quotes about the game of golf, such as, “If profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball, the game of golf would be played far better than it is.” So true! All the sponsors made the event a heart-stopping success, and all the players and tournament organizers say, “thank you!”
The day ended with the award luncheon with the required mint julep, open bar, and a meal fit for champions, with cobb salad , pecan crusted chicken breast with sweet and spicy peach chutney, roasted marble potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with maple and bacon, and cheddar biscuits with honey butter. Mini pecan pies and chocolate covered bourbon balls followed for dessert.
Tournament chairs and committee members are as follows: Beverly Anderson and Brenda Watson—VP of tee gifts, Bonnie Kohnert—VP fundraising, Becci Tomasek—VP food and beverage, Shannon Dunston—VP creative artist, Sue Galinski—chief financial officer and Candy Mikulik, CEO. What a great job they all did. Clearly it was a day to swing for the roses!