Some members of the 2023 WGA Board (photo by Virginia E. Wheeless)
2023 WGA officers: President Cindy Sterling, Vice President Sue Galinski, Secretary Lea Ann Kirby, and Treasurer Peggy Puckett (photo by Virginia E. Wheeless)
Some WGA women enjoying time together at the 2023 Holiday Brunch (photo by Virginia E. Wheeless)
Virginia E. Wheeless
‘Tis the season when a ballroom becomes a holiday wonderland filled with silver, emerald, Christmas balls, and greenery, with the compliments of the ever-creative Shannon Dunson. Over 100 Women’s Golf Association members gathered for their annual Holiday Brunch on Dec. 3 with platters of delectable cuisine, numerous cups of elixir, and occasional loud and casual chatter to celebrate the end of a fun-filled, sunny (with a few rainy, chilly, and windy days) season and to give out a few honors. Our always-efficient president Cindy Sterling led us through an entertaining few hours, with dazzling creativity provided by Shannon Dunson—gorgeous, sparkly tables with embossed invitations with the menu inside, napkins wrapped in silver, special ornaments for each person, and centerpieces that topped the room with tall blue and silver wonders. Of course, our brunch could not have been better without the divine touch of our annual menu artist Judy Markley, who toured us through the delights of artichoke soup; fall salad with heart greens topped off with poached pear, brie, pumpkin seeds, and poppy seed vinegar dressing; coffee-crusted petite filet served with a potato cake, poached egg rolled in blue cornmeal, and drizzled with cowboy demi; and chipotle chocolate tart with glazed raspberries and mint. Exquisite!
Jamey Siefert, handicap chair, presented awards to deserving members: Most Chip-ins: Ruth Bowen, Most Birdies: Kerri Kay, Most Eagles: Alice Wright, and Most Improved Golfer: Kelly Kay.
The Holiday Brunch brought together many new friends and those who had left the group but returned for the event. For example, a group of women formed the Friday Group in the early 2000s, and some were able to return and meet to share time with current members.
The holiday season is not only about eating and tipping a glass, but for the Women’s Golf Association, it is also about giving. This year at the brunch, the women gave $2,550 and 400 pounds of food to the Denton Community Food Bank and the largest number of toys ever to the Texas State Guard’s Young Heroes of the Guard Toy Drive.
The official business of the event was the installation of officers for 2023. First, those present gave a big thanks to the 2022 officers for a job well done: President Cindy Sterling, Vice President Sue Galinski, Treasurer Sue Halsted, and Secretary Lea Ann Kirby. Sue has served two terms and was not eligible for re-election. President Sterling gave Sue a special recognition for her years of service as treasurer. She was honored for the implementation of several major items, including the use of PayPal and clean audits throughout her tenure. Darlene Lamb, chair of the 2023 Nominating Committee, installed the new officers: President: Cindy Sterling, Vice President: Sue Galinski, Treasurer: Peggy Puckett, and Secretary: Lea Ann Kirby. President Sterling thanked 2022 board members and introduced some members of the 2023 board—the officers: Staci Brown, Gabie Bull, Yvonne Callaway, Ana Corey, Shannon Dunson, Kerri Kay, Kelly Kay, Donna Phillips, Linda Phillips, Jamey Seifert, Becci Tomasek, and Jackie Williams.