It’s “game on” at The Woods Resort Mountain View golf course in Hedgesville. Three women are tied for the lead after the first round of play at the West Virginia Women’s Senior Amateur tournament.

What? How much fun is that? Well, I can testify as a witness that if it’s anything, it is fun. I spoke with some of these women last night and I’m not sure if anyone else in the state is having as good a time as the 70 ladies competing in this event were. And that’s exactly why they do it. To have a good time.

Don’t get me wrong. It is competitive golf at its finest. Though it appears that as we age, we are more apt to be as happy for other people’s success as well as our own. Did you see Rocco clap for Tiger’s shot on # 18 from the bunker of another fairway mind you? Rocco had done his part by sticking his on the green but let’s face it - golf is game that is not so much against someone else as it is a game where you must as Betty Brandon, last years WV Senior Women’s Champion put it - “grind within yourself.”

This year there’s a new girl grinding on the WV Senior circuit. Her name is Sue Goldcamp from Parkersburg. Sue is hoping to make a few birdies tomorrow to steal this thing from the old timers. Even without making any putts for birdie today she still shot 77 to put her in the leaders group tomorrow.

Also shooting 77, but admittedly scrambling all the way, were Betty Brandon and Caroline Ramsey. Caroline is a lady very familiar with winning so these two may prove tough to beat. And only three shots back is Deborah Reif.

Therefore the winner of this tournament will have to earn it. It could get very exciting as they make their way around the course to the 18th this afternoon. This par five has a well protected green that slopes to the front and an aggressive stroke could get away from someone. This in turn might make any needed second putt very challenging indeed and three putting doesn’t usually win tournaments.

Though maybe the 18th will be anti climactic. Maybe someone will run off with it early. All competitors agree the course is in great condition, considered “fair but challenging” and it’s awful hard to complain about this weather. The wind is even helpful for golf in these parts since it keeps the gnats away.

Tee time 8:30 for 70 women 50 years of age or older to go out and ‘hit it, find it, hit it again’ - repeat as needed yet hopefully less often than everyone else. At the end of the day, the woman shooting low gross will have her name engraved on the trophy below previous winners.

She’s not the only winner of this event however. A plethora of other prizes are awarded as well. A panhandle local, Shirley Fortney of Charlestown has put herself in a good position for one with a low net score of 70.

Despite the fact that their isn’t a huge gallery and a TV crew around or press room to go to, it can be at least as thrilling as any high school sports banquet.

All in all, this is a very exciting year for women’s golf in the state of West Virginia. The West Virginia Golf Association (WVGA) has for the first year formed a Women’s committee. Previously the women had their own separate organization. So far this new relationship has proven to be a positive one. While the events themselves are not run solely by the WVGA, the support of the larger organization has certainly been helpful. Anyone who has ever planned even a simple barbecue or office outing knows that pulling off a successful get together is a challenge.

Rose Wayland, co-chair of this event, is very grateful for the support of the surrounding community including BB&T Bank, the Shops of Historic Hedgesville, and the Wood’s Men’s and Women’s Golf Associations along with tournament host The Woods Resort . While some of these golfers are local – hailing from Hedgesville, Harper’s Ferry, Shepherdstown, and Charlestown – many are from various other parts of the state. All have expressed nothing but praise for how well they’ve been treated. It speaks well of our area and it’s nice to know we treat our neighbor’s – well – like neighbors.

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