EWGA: Give Back, Have Fun, Play Golf

In a world dominated by male sports, golf these days is typically a game that transcends the sexes. For example, the LPGA has done a somewhat decent job of reminding us that women do indeed play golf. But their not the only organization helping promote the game for ladies - there's also the EWGA.

The EWGA (Executive Women's Golf Association) has been connecting business and professional women to golf for over 20 years and has built a vast sisterhood of members across not only the United States, but also Canada and Italy to boot.

And the association knows how to have fun - their biggest event of the year, Golfpalooza, is being held in Vegas this year (former LPGA star Lorena Ochoa will not only be in attendance, but she will also be receiving the EWGA's leadership award).

But this isn't just mindless fun - the organization's charity arm (EWGA Foundation) helps young girls develop their golf skills and aids women over 30 to further their education and careers. In addition, the EWGA Foundation organizes the donation of golf equipment to those less fortunate.

With all this charity, you would think it's hard for EWGA members to actually be out on the course, but it's the exact opposite. For example, the EWGA has its own championship tournament. In fact, the EWGA Championship is the largest women's amateur golf tournament of its kind - it begins through a qualifier in your local chapter and then moving on to the regionals and finally to the championship, featuring women from all over the country (in 2011, it was in Palm Desert, CA).

I actually used to work with Mrs. Lisa Edmonds, who won the low net, 2nd flight championship a couple years ago in Madison, WI. I had a chance to speak with Lisa recently and asked her to sum-up what her experience has been like as an EWGA member:

"I joined the EWGA back in 2003 so I would have the opportunity to play golf with more women [and] my experience has been nothing but positive...Each EWGA chapter is run exclusively by volunteers, and if you join and lend a hand whenever you can, I am sure you will not be disappointed! The companionship, laughter, golf and more golf, lifetime connections and friendship you experience by being an involved member of the EWGA is more than worth the price of membership. As they say � New set of Callaway Irons � $699, Box of Lady Precept Balls � $20, Round of golf at your local golf club � $48, cost of EWGA membership and volunteering at one of our events � PRICELESS!"
- Lisa Edmonds, Secretary - EWGA Fairfield County CT Chapter

The enthuesastic way Lisa speaks about the EWGA inspired me to write this post - after all, here's a hard-working professional who's extremely passionate about golf and the EWGA allows her to truly embrace that passion.

And that's what it's all about, isn't it? Being able to embrace the things you're passionate about - regardless of if you excel at them or not. The EWGA not only helps women do that, but it also lets women discover why golf is one of the greatest games of all time: Camaraderie, competitiveness and a whole lot of fun.

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