Sarah Ray, Liz Rippenburger, Sonja Reed, Martha Fagin, and Sallye Ortiz
Ana Corey, Publicity Chair
In just the blink of a swing, it has been a little over 20 years since the Robson Ranch Women’s Golf Club was formed in the Fall of 2003. All but one of the founding officers still live at the Ranch, as do many of the original officers and committee chairs. As a relatively new resident of the Ranch (just five years), I wondered about the inception of our current association, so I set off to meet with these pioneers.
Noreen Wolfe, who now resides in Highland Village, was president; Martha Fagin was vice president and tournament chair; Liz Rippenburger was treasurer; and Sonja Reed was secretary. Sallye Ortiz was the play day chair. When Sarah Ray moved to the Ranch in 2005, the group was both a nine-hole group and an 18-hole group, since the west course had just opened. When the organization started, the membership was 12 to 14 members and has now grown to 135 women.
Eight people played in the Club Championship, which was played just two months after the group was chartered. Sonja Reed was the club champion, with Martha Fagin just one shot behind. Liz Rippenburger was the low net champion. Putting on the Ritz was the first member-guest tournament, which was an invitational to members of golf courses in the surrounding area, since many of the members did not know individual golfers from off the Ranch to invite.
In 2005 the Hoof n Heels member-guest tournament was held, and it is still held annually. Sallye Ortiz also helped to start the Match Play tournament, which is still a very popular tournament and includes invitations to members of both men’s organizations to play. A couples league was also held twice a week on Sunday and Friday afternoons.
As the Ranch continued to grow, the Golf Club evolved into just an 18-hole group, with members wanting to play 18 holes following USGA rules. There were members who still wanted the option of playing nine holes on play day and with a more social aspect to the game. So, in 2012 the Lady Niners group was created, and the Women’s Golf Club became the Robson Ranch Women’s Golf Association (RRWGA) that it is today.
Both organizations owe their foundation to the ladies who pioneered the way for women to enjoy playing in a sanctioned league. Women are allowed dual memberships to both leagues. Each league offers the opportunity for women to play and enjoy the game with the friendships and camaraderie that it creates. So, if you would like to make new friends, learn the rules of golf, and play 18 holes on a weekly basis, the RRWGA looks to be the place for an inclusive and friendly group for all, with a place on the play day roster. This year will include many games for both individual and group scoring. So, come create your own legacy with the RRWGA today!