The 2008 SWATCA Golf Tournament was held in Choctaw, MS at the Pearl River Resort on October 19-22. We played the Dancing Rabbit's Azaleas course, a beautiful Tom Fazio/Jerry Pate design.

 

I knew after the first night's pairing party that we were going to have our hands full. Luck of the draw was not on our side. The first day of Four Ball format we had to play Virginia Grimes and Lou Hart from Mississippi, Meghan Bolger and Nancy Smith from Florida, Georgia McCravey and Stacy Springer from Tennessee and Kathy Hartwiger and Lea Green from Alabama. I was very proud of the girls to earn 2 out of a possible 4 points that first day. Kim Briele and Maggie Weder had a very exciting match with Alabama, winning two out of the last three holes to pull ahead and win their match one up. Deb Adams and Melissa Sage earned the other point for the NC Team by defeating Tennessee 4&3.

 

The second day format was Alternate Shot and once again the luck of the draw was not on our side. Deb and Melissa came up short against Virginia Grimes and Shelia Haynes of Mississippi as did Kathy Binkley and Sharon Baraham against Mary Jane Hiestand and Meghan Bolger of Florida. Kim Briele and Dianne Yelovich were victorious against Harriet Cauthen and Melissa Gooden of Alabama with Maggie and Angela splitting their match against Georgia McCravey and Ryan Kopet of Tennessee to remain undefeated in the Alternate Shot format.

 

The NC Team earned three and a half points the last day of single matches. Maggie, Angela and Deb won with Kim earning a half.

 

Results:

FL----12

MS----10.5

AL----8

NC----7

TN----2.5

 

I want to congratulate the entire NC Team for their commitment and dedication and how well they represented North Carolina. The final score does not reflect the great display of golf that these ladies played. I am very proud of each and everyone of you. What an honor to be rewarded for your great play by being selected to represent your state to compete in this event. We faced state champions as well as Curtis Cuppers and we did so with pride and determination. Congratulations also go out to Kim Briele and Maggie Weder for winning points all three days.

 

A special "thank you" goes out to Sue Boynton. Sue is the NC Director who sits on the SWATCA board. Sue assists in course set up, posting scores, marking the course, getting carts ready. You name it...she does it. From the entire team "THANK YOU SUE"

 

Next year the SWATCA tournament will be held in North Carolina. The team is selected based on tournament event finishes on both state and national levels. Good luck to all of you in 2009.

 

Donna Noblitt

Team Captain