Belvedere Women’s Branch
President’s Report
October, 2009

In 2008, the Women’s Branch developed a list of purposes/goals to guide it’s work.

Women’s Branch Goals/Purposes

• to keep current women members happy
• to attract new women members
• to make sure interests of women members are voiced at Board meetings
• to organize groups and activities/protect times for women's play
• to make sure women aren't intimidated to join groups/make women feel welcome and included
• to encourage a focus on staying healthy, enjoying golf, having fun and learning
• to encourage junior girls

In 2009, the Women’s Branch continued to identify activities and actions to assist us to achieve our goals. The following was undertaken or achieved:

to keep current women members happy...

• ideas gathered from women members at the 2008 AGM were implemented in the 18 hole Women’s Group
• an Opening Round/Luncheon was held June 2, where ideas were solicited from members about how to achieve our purposes, with specific ideas passed on to various women’s groups
• the Women’s Branch contributed funding to the new washroom and upkeep of the garden

to attract new women members...

• Thursday Night Women’s Social League was championed by the Women’s Branch and this year coordinated by the Club, with 70 women participating, the majority of which were non-members new to Belvedere
• women Player’s Package holders were invited to participate in women’s groups and leagues

to make sure interests of women members are voiced at Board meetings...

• feedback gathered at each Women’s Branch meeting and interests/concerns received from women members was reported regularly to the Board, with action taken reported

to organize groups and activities/protect times for women's play...

• 9 Hole Group: approx. 20 women participated Tues/Thurs mornings
• 18 Hole Group: approx. 28 women played Tues/Thurs mornings
• Business Women’s Group: approx. 10 women played 9-holes Mon/Thurs evenings
• Thursday Night Women’s Social League: 70 women participated in 9-hole play, 3 lessons, a welcoming etiquette clinic and social evenings.
• interest was gauged re: a competitive women’s league and plans are underway to develop the league for the 2010 season
• the Excel Accounting Women’s Club Championship was held August 8-9, with 30 women participating
• the annual Fall Fiesta was held on Monday, September 14, with 100 women golfers in attendance
• the Women’s Branch continued to coordinate the weekly 50/50 draw to raise funds for its activities

to make sure women aren't intimidated to join groups/make women feel welcome and included...

• a welcome letter was sent to all new women members and women holders of Players Packages, listing groups and activities for women
• invitations to the Opening Luncheon were sent to all new women members and Player’s Package holders, who were greeted at the door by an Executive member
• a wine and cheese reception was held June 25 to welcome, and welcome back, all women members and potential members, with 58 women participating
• Player’s Package holders were welcomed to participate in all groups
• a website with information about women’s groups and activities was developed
• a clinic and BBQ social with Lorie Kane was held on August 12 for all female members, and Player’s Package holders, women participating in the Thursday Night Social League and women participating in the women’s lessons, with close to 60 women participating

to encourage a focus on staying healthy, enjoying golf, having fun and learning...

• information was sent to new women members about women-only lesson opportunities being developed by staff
• 3 1-hour lessons were offered to Thursday Night Women’s Social League participants on May 21, May 28 and June 4

to encourage junior girls...

• the Women’s Branch executive met with Gerry Moore, junior development, to discuss opportunities for the Women’s Branch to support junior girls
• a contact list of junior girls was developed and all girls received a personal invitation to participate in the Lorie Kane clinic
• to further highlight a role model for junior girls at Belvedere, the Women’s Branch invited the Club to support Morgan Bell to participate in the Lorie Kane clinic
• a junior girl/junior girls representative will be asked to sit on the 2010 Women’s Branch executive

Best Wishes to...

• Women’s Club Champion, Morgan Bell, as she attempts to qualify for the Futures Tour this month in Florida.

THANK YOU to...

• the volunteers who spent hours organizing the various women’s groups and tournaments for the 2009 season, including Bonna Hyde, Elaine Doyle, Betty Howlett, Donna Carr, Sandra MacDonald, Heather MacPherson, Jane MacIsaac, Sherry White
• Sherry White and Excel Accounting for becoming the new sponsor of the Women’s Club Championship and to Dennis and David Smith of RBC Dominion Securities for their generous sponsorship of the previous 5 years
• the late, great Eileen Fulford for her many, many years of generous service to the Belvedere Women’s Branch
• Margie Jardine, Marg Vessey, Sandy Stephenson, Carla Smith and Connie Colpitts for their generous donation of funding and a plaque for a new Eileen Fulford Memorial Match Play, which will begin in 2010
• Steve Dowling, for his willing and open desire to assist the Women’s Branch to meet its goals
• Wayne Fraser for once again being willing to volunteer hours of his time as starter for the Women's Club Championship
• Doug Weeks for taking beautiful care of the women’s memorial garden