The Mission Of First Tee:
​To impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf.

​When I said in the headline of this post that we're having a membership drive, I mean that in a very literal sense. I'm heading out solo on an epic road trip. I will DRIVE across and around the United States to connect with women golfers to continue growing our SWAG Membership network.   I'll be leaving in early - mid September and signing ladies up as I go.   
​
​I know I could do this the easy way - online (and I'll be doing that too, of course). But I want to get out and actually meet people. I want to meet you! 

Details about my road trip will be coming in another blog post soon.  Any suggestions on stops between Wenatchee, Washington and Burlington, Vermont? That will be the 2800+ mile first leg of this epic trip. On the ​return trip home, I will be dipping further south as the weather starts to get cooler up north.

While this road trip is a bucket list item for me and we'll be raising money for First Tee, the long term goal is about​ YOU. It's about creating the SWAG Travel Network so you (and your golf peeps) can ​do more golfing and make meaningful connections while ​YOU  travel about this great land.

So start thinking about your future Bucket List for golf and travel! I'll do whatever I can to help you make it happen.

​"We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us." 
​Where shall I go next? 

​I'm super excited to announce that the SWAG Travel Network Membership Smartphone App is officially in development.  

The smartphone app will serve as an easy to use nationwide membership directory but it will be much more than that before we're finished.  

Whether you're traveling within your home state or across the country, it will be very easy to find and connect with other women golfers as you​ travel to play at ​other courses and explore new places.   

​The app will be functional in the Fall and will coincide with another special event I'll be announcing soon!

​Stay tuned...

A Special Invitation

​Do you like to golf?
Do you like to travel?
Do you like to have fun?

​If you answered Yes to ALL three of those questions, keep reading.  

You're in the right place.  

​This blog post is specifically to sell you on an idea for an exclusive opportunity that involves fun, golf and traveling.  However, it won't cost you anything to "buy-in".  Zip. Zero. Zilch.

​It's kind of like being with someone who gets a hole-in-one and they buy your drink at the 19th hole. It's a win/win. It didn't cost you a thing.  But it sure was fun.

I am also the past Executive Secretary and current Treasurer of the Apple Valley Women's Golf Association (AVWGA) in Central Washington State. This is a group of women from 8 regional golf courses who play team events throughout the golf season. You may have a similar group in your area.

​I want to travel and play golf in places I've never been before. And, I want to connect with new people coming to my area.  

I want YOU to be able to do the same.

I want you to be able to travel more, golf more, and meet other women golfers.  

​How are we going to do that?  

With SWAG.

I developed the SWAG (Senior Women Avid Golfer's) Travel Network to give you a unique opportunity to meet new ladies whether you're traveling or playing on your own course, or another course in your area.  

The SWAG Travel Network is your connection to women golfers across the country. I'm so excited about this, I could go on and on. However, I think a quick back story will help you understand it better...

​I don't think bucket lists were a thing when I was a kid but I, unknowingly, had started a bucket list when I was just 14 years old.  

When I was 14 my grandmother and her sister took a 3-month road trip around the United States. That completely fascinated me! I mean, how many women that age do that kind of thing? Especially back then. It wasn't common for women to travel on their own like it is now.

BOOM.

My bucket list was born. I made up my mind then and there that I wanted to do a road trip like that someday.  

Now that I'm retired, I am more determined than ever to check that off my bucket list... and golfing is going to be a big part of that trip.  Whether traveling alone, or with a friend, I'm looking for ladies to connect with during my travels... and that is one primary aspect of the SWAG Travel Network. And here's why.  

Years later, shortly after my husband died, I started traveling to escape the loneliness.  I traveled to Arizona several times and also spent almost a year in the Midwest because I had a golfing friend there.  

I often wished I had connections with golfers in more places. I really wanted to fulfill that childhood goal of traveling around the entire United States, which has now evolved into including golf.  

​The previous two stories highlight ONE side of the SWAG Travel Network - traveling more, golfing more, and meeting other women golfers as we travel.  

What is the other aspect? One more story, then I'll tell you how it all fits together.

​BOOM.

I, unwittingly, became a local Ambassador for my course... and my local area. It makes me want to make more connections like that.

And, that is the other primary aspect of the SWAG Travel Network.

​This is where you come in when you join the already growing network of Ambassadors.  

Being an Ambassador is easy and fun.

You'll enjoy having access to a nationwide network of other women golfers to connect with as you travel. And, you'll be able to reciprocate when others visit your area, looking for someone to connect with during a game of golf.  ​

It's that simple.  

​I know much of the country is still on stay-at-home restrictions but when those are lifted my friends and I are anxious to get out and do some traveling, and have fun meeting more women golfers.  

​Are you?

Are you ready to connect with ladies from all over the country during a game of golf and over a refreshing beverage at the 19th hole?

Are you ready to join me and others in the SWAG Travel Network as an Ambassador for your area?

Are you ready to join us on this amazing journey to take the world of amateur women's golf to a whole 'nother level?

​The possibilities are endless. I see so much potential. There is no cost and no obligation. It's merely an opportunity to get in on the early stage of something very special.  

​What if you sign up and don't participate? No big deal. It's not like it cost you anything. 

However, what if you sign up and start making new connections all over the country (or state)? You may even find yourself intrigued to travel to places you never thought of before simply because we have an Ambassador there.  Who knows... You may be inspired to start your own golf travel bucket list.  

How fun will that be?  

​"Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief."

​Would you like to be one of the Charter Ambassador members?  I have already received over two dozen positive responses in the U.​S., including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Massachusetts, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, Texas, Montana, Tennessee, Colorado, New York, and Maryland.  PLUS several others from across Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

​If you're excited to ​be part of the SWAG Travel Network, send an e-mail to TopTeamCarol@gmail.com ​with:

Name:
City, State, Zip:
Phone (optional):
Home Course:

​I'm looking forward to having you in the SWAG Travel Network!

Sincerely,
Carol
​
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com   

P.S.:
Although the original primary intent of the Travel Network was for Senior Women Golfers, we don't want to exclude younger women who love to travel and play golf. So, if you're not a senior but like the idea of being an Ambassador and enjoying the benefits of the network, we'd love to have you join us! 

​"Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening - and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented."
-Arnold Palmer  

​The first tournament of the season in North Central Washington is the Three Lakes 18-Hole Ladies League Golden Apple Tournament.  

​"The first blooms of Spring always make my heart sing."
-S. Brown

​The 2020 Wenatchee Golf and Country Club Spring Fling 
Registration form is out and you're invited!  

​​"If you think it's hard meeting new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball."

Pictured above:
​2019 Apple Valley Women's Golf Association Overall Winner's
*** Wenatchee Golf & Country Club Ladies ***

* * * * *

​Other winners for the 2019 season were:

Apple Tree Ladies:  Gross Points Winner
​Lake Chelan Ladies:  Net Points Winner

​The 2020 AVWGA Schedule has been released:

April 30th - Lakeview
May 28th - Lake Chelan
June 11th - Yakima Elks
July 7th - Three Lakes
August 17th - Apple Tree
September 11th - Ellensburg
October 6th - Wenatchee Golf & Country Club

*  Leavenworth Golf Club has the Bye this season

All events have a 9:00 shotgun start, except the last event at
WG&CC which will be a 9:30 shotgun start.

​Are you looking forward to the 2020 golf season as much as I am?  One of the fun parts of the golf season is participating in events around Central Washington throughout the year.

Are you curious about the dates for your favorite golf events in 2020?

I'm in the process of putting together a list of events in 2020. ​I want to make it as comprehensive as possible​ and I need your help.  

Are you a League President or event Chairperson for any events at your club this golf season? 

If so, I would really appreciate it if you could send me the following info:
     Event dates
     Practice round dates
     Contact person for event info  

​I am especially looking for dates for ladies events at the following courses:

​Here is what I know so far, so get them on your calendar:
Three Lakes Golden Apple: May 7th​
Wenatchee Golf & Country Club Spring Fling: May 19th
Leavenworth Alpine: June 17th 
​
​Watch this blog for updates

​If you know of women's events at other courses in Washington State or elsewhere, I'm interested in that information too. 

Are there any charity events you know about?

I will be posting the 2020 Apple Valley Women's Golf Association schedule as soon as I receive it in early February.

​Please send any info or questions to me at:
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com

​This group is focused on living with autoimmune disorders in the most productive and successful manner available.

That end will be achieved by:

• Supporting and caring about each other 
• Hearing each other’s messages
• Listening to other voices with valuable information to share
• Committing to be positive, understanding and encouraging

Saturday, ​January 18, 2020​
Central Hospital Lower Floor Rooms F/G   10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

​HELP YOURSELF BY HELPING OTHERS: Leona Wolk
Leona has an amazing personal story; not autoimmune but life-long and affecting all aspects of her journey.  She believe each of us can make differences with small acts of great love and kindness.  The relationships she has formed to help her "make it" are available to all. No one said life circumstances are easy but they can be experienced with positive results and even joy. 
​
​Leona received the 2018-2019 Washington State Humanitarian Award thru the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women's Auxiliary for Homeless Veterans and their families.

​INTRODUCING: Our New Blog  ​
​And Now...
​In our continuing effort to help those affected by autoimmune issues to live the best they can, Judi and her daughter Tracey will be launching a new blog. It will be a two-person commentary on living with autoimmunity.
Patient Point of View: Tracey
Support Person Point of View: Judi

We will offer a good deal of our own experience along with practical ideas for successful living.

Find us at: www.a3autoimmunity.org
​e-mail version coming soon

Please come join us; share, contribute and learn

Directions: We are in the lower floor of the hospital. Park by the upper main entrance and take the elevator down or park in the lower lot by physical therapy and enter on that level. 

RSVP as possible. See you soon. 

Judi Rising, risingstarj@nwi.net, 509.679.0671

​Thank you for being a subscriber to the SeniorWomenGolfers website, launched in April 2019!  I hope you've enjoyed this "soft" start. I have some fun plans for the site in 2020 so buckle up and stay tuned.

In the meantime, I want to share something I posted​ on my Facebook page ​this morning. I know not all of you follow me there, so here is my wish for you​ in the new decade. ​
​
​Today I would like to wish you all:

1) Health... the greatest "wealth" of all,
2) Strength... the strength needed to weather the tough times,
3) Wisdom... the wisdom to make good decisions through the ups and downs of this thing call "life",
4) Perspective... the perspective to count your blessings even when the chips are down. I like to think of this as knowing the difference between "inconvenience" and a "crisis". We all experience crisis in life, and a LOT of inconvenience.
5) Patience... sometimes we just need to take a deep breath and not be in a hurry. It will keep your blood pressure down and save a lot of hard feelings.
6) Faith... the faith to know that you are not in "charge" of all things, and sometimes you just need to trust a higher power than you. I've discovered many silver linings in the darkest of clouds.
7) Hope... the hope that no matter what is happening, there is a purpose and it helps to be willing to look for, and be willing to accept, whatever lesson there is from the events of life,
8) Charity... to always be on the lookout for an opportunity to help someone. Random Acts of Kindness are a far better high than any drug,
9) Joy... to see the joy in all things, big and small.

I could go on, but you get the idea. We all look forward to the new year with great anticipation, as we should. And, we also need to be realistic as we travel through this journey on Earth.

Relish every day as a special gift and it will be a very Happy 2020.

​Wishing you all the best ​year ever!
Carol

​"Only I didn't say fudge. I said THE word.  
The big one.  The queen mother of dirty words.
The F_ _ _ word."
-Ralphie from A Christmas Story

​Before I retired, I owned a real estate brokerage and property management company. I think it was in the year 2005 when I sold a new construction home to some newlyweds relocating from Reno, Nevada.  

For Christmas that year we received a lovely box of Christmas goodies.  In the box were two holiday mugs with hot chocolate mix, a candy cane and a tin of fudge made from her Grandma Betty's fudge recipe.  

Amy was very close to her Grandma who had died the year we received this gift.  Amy, feeling nostalgic about her Grandma, was determined to make some of her special fudge.  This is the letter we received in the box, telling the story of Amy's fudge making adventure.  

​​Dear Carol and Max,
Here is some FUDGE I made from the heart. I was thinking about my Grandma and some of her Christmas cooking. I remember her making holiday cookies, popcorn balls, and fudge. A few years back I helped her make fudge for the family. So…..in my infinite wisdom, I thought it would be a good idea to make fudge and put it in small tins as a part of gift baskets for both sides of the family and close friends. It was a well thought out plan with good intentions.

So here is the FUDGE STORY:
(I am now convinced that FUDGE is a very bad word)

I dug through many boxes to hunt down Grandma’s recipe book. Found the fudge recipe and scurried down to the store and bought all the ingredients. Everything was going as planned until the actual fudge making process began.

The instructions said to boil until it forms a soft ball and folds. So I kept boiling and boiling until the crap started to crystallize! I took it off the burner and as it started to cool it turned into one massive concrete ball! I ended up with this rock hard blob that adhered itself to the bottom of the pot. It was stuck in there so bad I literally had to throw the pot away. Somehow I missed the “soft” ball stage!

Round Two:
I dug up an older pot to cook with just in case round one was repeated. This time I cooked the liquid until it started to fold and then I took it off the heat and stirred it for awhile until I realized it was getting very hard in a hurry. This batch did make it to the cooling pyrex but after it was completely cool it was hard enough to break every tooth in my mouth. I think we could use this batch as additional blocks for the retaining wall.

Round Three:
I felt I was getting closer to making edible fudge. All I had to do is pour myself another drink and cook the liquid for a shorter amount of time. That should do it right? Mmmm…..well, I stuck to my plan of more drinking and less boiling. I took the liquid fudge substance off the fire much earlier this time. As it cooled I stirred, and stirred, and stirred. I was so confident that this batch was going to be perfect I added a bunch of expensive walnuts to it. I poured the warm fudge into the pyrex and waited for it to cool. As it cooled it was supposed to harden. I waited, and waited, and waited. It did harden some but not to the classic fudge consistency that I had expected. The fudge looks more like a soft brownie but it is edible and does taste good. I cut it up and individually wrapped the pieces just like Grandma used to do (which was an ordeal in itself that I will not go into).

Round Four:
After a semi-successful batch, I got the urge to make one final attempt at the perfect fudge. I scraped the bottom of the butter barrel and used every last teaspoon of sugar in the house. This was it, there were no more ingredients to do another batch after this. It had to be done right. I thought about this “soft ball” thing and realized what that means. You drop some boiling liquid onto a plate and when it cools it should form a soft ball. That is the point when you take the fudge off the burner and start beating it until it “folds”. Brilliant! So, I boiled the liquid for awhile and then started making splatters onto a plate. They were not making soft balls, but they sure did taste good. I think my theory was correct with the soft ball idea, but I kept eating all the drippings before they became totally cool enough to make a ball, oops.

At this point I was totally “FUDGED up” and just wanted to eat a piece of my creation and be done with the project. I got nervous that the substance would crystallize again so I took the last batch off the burner and started to beat it. I had used all the walnuts in the previous batch so this round would be nut free. I poured the last of the fudge into the cooling pyrex for the final attempt. This might have been it? Well, as close to “good” as it is going to get. It is still a bit soft but at least you won’t break any teeth!

Final Conclusion:
I now know why Grandma always had drinks while making fudge. I learned that making fudge is no easy project but love my family and friends enough to attempt making gifts that are truly from the heart. Enjoy!

​Merry Christmas,
The Greenhalghs

​​I've always loved this story and still laugh whenever I read it.  I hope you enjoy it too.  
​
​See you in the Spring on the links. Have a safe winter and a...
​
​Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !
Carol​​​