I travel not to escape life but for life not to escape me!

I'm falling behind on my posts, which isn't really a surprise since I've been busy connecting with people and playing golf. That IS the purpose of the trip after-all. LOL

I will catch up, as time permits, but I wanted to share my actual schedule with you all.  On the off golf days, I may batch posts.

I left Wenatchee on Friday, August 27th. These are the dates and cities I will be playing golf in. The in between days are travel days.  The dates from Sept. 19 - 23 are reserved for a retreat in Vergennes, Vermont.

I have made contacts in each city and they are making tee times and putting the groups together. All I have to do is show up.    🙂

Boise, Idaho (Aug. 28th)
Salt Lake City, Utah (Sept 1st)
Denver, Colorado (Sept 3rd or 4th)
Kansas City, MO (Sept 8th)
St. Louis, MO (Sept 10th)
Indianapolis, IN (Sept 12th)
Pittsburgh, PA (Sept. 14th)
Syracuse, NY (Sept. 16th)
Albany, NY (Sept. 18th)
Philadelphia, PA (Sept 24th or 25th)
Baltimore, MD (Sept. 27th)
Charlotte, NC (Sept 30, Oct 1st, or 2nd)
Atlanta, GA (Oct. 4th)
St Augustine, FL (Oct. 7th or 9th)
Montgomery, AL (Oct. 11th)
Baton, Rouge, LA (Oct 13th)
Houston, TX (Oct 15th)
Austin, TX (Oct 17th)
El Paso, TX (Oct. 19th)
Phoenix, AZ (21st or 22nd)

As many of you know, this trip is also a trip is about raising awareness and funds for the First Tee youth development program.  I want to thank my major sponsor Doghouse Motor Sports for their generous contribution to our youth!

I'd also like to sincerely thank others who have donated funds to our campaign, including:

June Stanaway - Premier One Properties in Wenatchee
Steve Roller - Big Ideas Publishing (Connecticut)
Lisa Nelson - Wisconsin
Clair & Beverly Klock - Klock Farms & Nursery  Corbett, OR
Roy Altman - Redmond, OR
Nancy Steere - Wenatchee , WA
Ruth Collins - East Wenatchee, WA
MG Bailey - Spokane, WA
And a couple Anonymous donations  

If you are interested in donating, please go to our: 
GoFundMe page and read all about it.

"Wander often. Wonder always."

In the blog post from May 2nd of last year Introducing the SWAG Travel Network, I told you the story of how my Grandma inspired my lifelong Bucket List dream to travel around the United States.

On June 8th I wrote a post entitled SWAG Membership Drive: Fall 2020, explaining how I planned to take an epic solo road trip to meet other women golfers all across the nation.  

I'm sure it's no surprise that trip was postponed due to COVID.  Well, I'm not getting any younger and still determined to make it happen.

If there's anything we've learned in the last last year and a half, it is that life is uncertain. We need to do things when we can.  

Do you see all those blue "pins" on the map above? That is my unofficial route so far. I want to stay somewhat flexible to adjust as I go.  

I'll be leaving in late late August, returning in early November. I'm calculating the trip will cover about 10,000 miles.

Like I said, it's going to be epic. 

And, I haven't been sitting idle regarding connections either. I've been busy making connections with women golfers across the nation online.

I've had lots of invitations to play with the locals as I travel through their area.  I'm excited about that. 

As if that's not exciting enough, I'm still working on the fundraiser portion of the trip for the First Tee Central Washington.  I've been sending out letters and have already received several hundred dollars in contributions in support of this epic adventure... supporting kids and fulfilling bucket list dreams.

As you may know, First Tee is a National Organization specifically dedicated to developing our youth through the game of golf.  

Did you see 17-year-old Megha Ganne play in the Women's U.S. Open this last weekend? Wasn't she amazing? She is involved with The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, and made history as the first junior to qualify for the Drive, Chip & Putt Finals four times in the event’s six-year existence. She credits The First Tee with a lot of her success. And, I suspect it is also a major factor in the confidence and poise she exudes.

The First Tee is such an amazing organization and incorporating a fundraiser for them with my trip makes the trip that much more worthwhile.

What could be more important than developing the youth of today into better students, better citizens, and better leaders for the future through the game we all love... golf? 

The 9 Core Life Enhancing Values taught through the First Tee program are identified in the image at the top of this post.  And...

According to the national First Tee website:
   * 85% of Alumni credit the program with helping them become a better student.  
   * 91% of Alumni participated in community service. 
   * And, of course, they learn to golf

So, while doing this  trip I can accomplish several things:
   * Raise money for the First Tee youth program
   * Expand the SWAG Travel Network by connecting with
      other women golfers across the U.S.
   * Play golf in several states
  * See and experience a diversity of people and places
   * Share it all with you as I drive, golf, and blog my way around the U.S.  
  * Hopefully, meet you if you're in the path on my epic road trip

More details about my road trip will be coming in future posts here.  

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 still about YOU, a woman who loves to golf. It's about creating the SWAG Travel Network so you (and your golf peeps) can do more golfing and make meaningful connections while YOU, a senior woman golfer,  travel about this great land.

What's on your bucket list? I hope I can inspire you that it's never too late.

If you haven't already done so,
I invite you to subscribe to this Blog so you will
be notified of all new posts as they are published.
You can do so by ordering the 
FREE Report:
5 Ways To Lower Your Golf Score... Without Lessons

Also, be sure to sign up for our Facebook Group:
Senior Women Avid Golfers

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...

​"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

​The next meeting is:

When: Saturday, September 14, 2019
Where: Central Washington Hospital (Confluence)
Lower Floor Rooms F/G

Time: 10:00 - 11:30

​

​Autoimmunity & Family:
Judi Rising and her daughter Tracey Barnes will preview the first in a series of presentations they plan to offer to interested groups about living with autoimmunity.  

The program will be a discussion between Judi & Tracey involving their mutual journey with autoimmune issues: one as the patients and one as the family member.

Every person diagnosed with autoimmunity has those in their life circle who by association are also impacted. Some find positive ways to support; others struggle. In all cases, life is changed.  

​

Judi and Tracey have now spent 20 years affected by autoimmunity. They have been preparing a series of presentations during which they will share and discuss the effect of autoimmune issues on theirs and other families.  This month they will preview the first of these programs with the Wenatchee Autoimmune Network.  They will appreciate you responding and attending.  

​

​​Please consider attending the September meeting, knowing your presence as an audience will be very much appreciated. 

​Hopefully you will take away some ideas and information that will be beneficial to you and those you care about.

Your presence and comments will certainly be helpful to us. This is a program that could be helpful to family members and others you may know, so please bring them along if you like.

Please come join us: share, contribute and learn

Directions: 
We meet 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.

Please ​RSVP as soon as possible:
​Judi Rising
risingstarj@nwi.net
509.679.0671 
​
​See you soon!  

​If you haven't already done so, ​I invite you to subscribe to this Blog so you will be notified of all new posts as they are published. You can do so by ordering the 
FREE Report:
5 Ways To Lower Your Golf Score... Without Lessons

​Some of you may be suffering with an autoimmune disease and many of us know people who are. One ​of the SeniorWomenGolfers.com readers who is an avid golfer, Judi Rising, has requested that I pass along the following information about the local Autoimmune Network and the next upcoming meeting.  

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

​The next meeting is:

When: Saturday, ​August 10, 2019
Where: Central Washington Hospital (Confluence)
Lower Floor Rooms F/G

Time: 10:00 - 11:30

This Month's meeting topic will be: 

​Develop a Toxin-Free Home Environment
​
Abbie Warde came to Wenatchee from London, England 4 years ago. She has a fascinating background as a Police Detective. Her new cultural adventure began with her dentist husband and now includes two small children. 
​
​She was determined to have her home be as toxin-free and safe as possible. With the help of H20 products she is achieving that goal and helping others to do the same. She will share ideas we can all put to use.

​Please come join us: share, contribute and learn 

Directions:
We meet 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.

Please ​RSVP as soon as possible:
​Judi Rising
risingstarj@nwi.net
509.679.0671 
​
​See you soon!  

​​If you haven't already done so, ​I invite you to subscribe to this Blog so you will be notified of all new posts as they are published. You can do so by ordering the 
FREE Report:
5 Ways To Lower Your Golf Score... Without Lessons