Royal Court, left to right: Sarah Ray, Queen Gale Hicks, Joyce Marshall and Susan Miloser; back row: David Thatcher
The 19 Queen Wannabees
Linda Farmer
Most queens are either born into a royal family or marry a king or king-to-be. Not so with the Women’s Golf Association. Here you can ascend to the throne by simply enduring an eight-hour 18 hole round of golf and eliminating 18 opponents. That’s exactly what Gale Hicks did on Tuesday, June 21, to be crowned WGA Queen for 2016.
Nineteen ladies turned out for a 7:30 a.m. tee time to vie for the coveted title. All 19 played the first hole, but only 18 continued to the second hole. And so it went until there were only two players left on the 18th hole. Gale Hicks and Sarah Ray were the last ladies standing when they hit their tee shots off the 18th tee box. Both hit great tee shots, but unfortunately for Sarah the fairway bunker decided to grab her ball. Although she hit a great recovery shot from the bunker, it was not enough to overcome Gale’s second shot on the green. What a valiant battle they fought!
All the contenders played stellar golf throughout the tournament. In addition to Gale and Sarah, the following ladies made up the queen wannabees: Brenda Alford, Carole Babcock, Barb Bennett, Diane Bent, Gabie Bull, Paula Bull, Lisa Dean, Pam Kanawyer, Judy Klenz, Linda Klovans, Joyce Marshall, Susan Miloser, Connie Mullins, Victoria Pettigrew, Donna Phillips, Pat Sands and Linda Watrak. Congratulations to Joyce Marshall for taking third place and Susan Miloser for finishing fourth. Great job, ladies!
Perhaps the most interesting footnote to Gale’s victory is that just three and a half months ago her right arm was completely immobilized following surgery for a broken elbow. Perhaps we will have to start calling her the bionic woman!
The tournament was organized by Cindy Bass who wishes to thank David Thatcher and Larry Alford for braving the heat and staying with the group until the last putt fell. Kudos also go out to LaDonna Womochel for being the “banker”, Teresa Blackburn-Korn for providing cooling towels, Darlene Lamb for serving cool libations at the 15th hole, and Gil and Sallye Ortiz for dishing up grilled hot dogs from their patio on the 8th hole.