Swinging a golf club is therapeutic for Jeanette Thompson.
“I picked up golf. It really makes me focus on other things,” said Thompson, a combat veteran who was part of a free Women’s Golf Day event June 4 at the Practice Club at Jones Creek.
About 200 women preregistered for the outing with more showing up on the day of.
For Thompson, the sport helps her reset and refocus. She got to the event as soon as it started Tuesday and said they’d have to “peel her away” to get her to leave because she loves it so much.
Women could get tips on their swings as well as enjoy a warm day outside. There were also a few golf-related contests and chances for door prizes from sponsors.
“Our Women’s Employee Network always had a Club Car-based women’s golf day event or celebration,” said Lynthia Ross, Club Car’s communications leader, who had the idea of opening it up to the community after discovering there weren’t any other Women’s Golf Day events planned in Augusta.
Started in 2016, Women’s Golf Day is a global movement that engages, empowers and supports women and girls through golf, according to the Women’s Golf Day website.
Women’s Golf Day events have occurred at more than 1,300 locations in over 84 countries, introducing “thousands of new golfers to the sport and is the fastest-growing female golf development initiative,” the website said.
Golfers at Jones Creek ranged from women who’d never picked up a club to casual golfers to some who play regularly.
Kennedy Albea, a rising junior at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, plays on her school’s golf team and wanted to work some kinks out of her swing. It only took a few minutes to have the problem diagnosed and tips given to fix it
At first it was awkward to adjust her motion, but she continued to work on her swing.
Ross said while everything was free, they wanted to do something extra to “add purpose and meaning to the event for the community.”
They partnered with Cher’s Sisters Only Club, which provides programming for the “social, emotional and physical well-being of women and girls in 15 counties,” ‘according to Cher Best, radio personality and club president.
The club offers several programs including three Be Your Best camps as well as hosting the annual SHERO Awards to recognize the accomplishments of women and girls in the CSRA and give five $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors.
The golf event wrapped with a reception featuring a DJ and food.
Ross said that Club Car plans to host the event again next year.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
