Issue

Highlight of the Week!

EWGA Benefit of the Week: VedaloHD - The sun is out and it's time to play golf! EWGA members receive 25% off the purchase of sunglasses from VedaloHD. Vedalo sunglasses have a patented lens process that increases visual acuity, depth perception, color and color contrast to enhance your playing ability from the tee to the green. Call 800-801-4523 or visit www.vedaloHD.com to see the options. Use code EWGA to receive your discount.

And don't forget... Mother's Day is next Sunday! EWGA members get 15% off flowers purchased from 1-800-Flowers.com. See bottom of this newsletter for more details.

A Message from Our President

YOU ASKED... WE RESPONDED!

Last year, your Board put a policy in place to allow guests to participate in just about anything we offered as many times as they wanted... but for a significant upcharge. It was the right decision to make for where we were last year. Membership had slipped a bit, and it helped us to regain some of the monies we had lost due to those lost membership dues. We also believed it would help us to draw in new members if we gave them the opportunity to try out our organization as often as they wanted. Those of you who played in most of our monthly events last year probably noticed that we had the same guests showing up at every event. (The same holds true for many of our leagues.)

Things are changing this year, and we need to respond to that change. Membership is actually growing (we must have convinced some of those folks that we were the right organization for them! ;-) and we have more offerings this year in the way of education and social opportunities than in years past. In short, the value of your EWGA membership is increasing by leaps and bounds.

And that's when we started hearing from you. The first concern was that we did not appear to be very welcoming to those golfers who wanted to "try us out" before making a decision to join. An upcharge of $20 on top of a $60 round of golf put some of our events out of reach for our guests. "Why can't we just charge them the same as our members?"

On the other side of the fence, we were being asked. "If I can play in this organization whenever I want without being a member, what is the benefit of my membership?"

Both are valid questions and had enough energy around them that the Board decided to take a look at the "guest upcharge" policy to see if it still applied in 2009. We decided yes... and no.

I'll start with where it no longer applies. We want to be welcoming and we want to give women golfers an opporunity to "Try before you buy" with EWGA. Toward that end, your Board has changed the policy so any guest may attend any two events (with the exception of Lone Star Cup and Chapter Championship) at the same cost as our members. They may combine one league outing with one monthly playday... one clinic with one league outing... two clinics... whatever combination they want. We want them to see who we are and what we have to offer.

After those two events, we will ask them to make a decision about joining. Our members deserve our attention and our funding. The discounts we negotiate and the offers we are able to make are a benefit of membership. Additionally, the prizes we award at events come directly from YOUR membership dues. While we will have some small giveaways at some of our events for guests, they will not be eligible for prizes and trophies. Those are reserved for those of you who pay for the privilege of being a part of this organization.

Ruth Richmond - our amazing Communications Chair - has placed a link on our website welcoming our guests and outlining the benefits of membership as well as our policy for guests.

PLEASE continue to invite your friends to participate in our events and encourage them to join EWGA. We are a great golfing organization and an even greater group of women supporting women. When you see someone at an event that you've not seen before, introduce yourself and talk about your experiences with EWGA. You may be talking to a guest or a new member. Either way, let's continue to extend a warm welcome to all who come out to play with us.

Thank you for your emails and phone calls on this issue. We are here to serve you, and we want to hear from you.

Peace,
Robin

Saturday, May 30, 2009 - Tee times beginning at 1 p.m.

6767 Greatwood Parkway, Sugar Land, Texas
(length, slope and rating close to Blackhorse North)

You want to get ready for stroke play at Chapter Championship? Great! I've got competitive stroke play!

You want to do a scramble team for Chapter Championship? Great - Bring your team out to play together! Encourage the other teams to compete, too!

Not sure about competing in Chapter Championship? Come to the May event and see how your day goes, then decide about Chapter Championship!

Sure you don't want to compete but just want to play with the EWGA Houston girls? Great - just sign up to play for fun as an individual or play a scramble with your own team or with others who also want to scramble but don't have a foursome!

Something else you want that I haven't listed? Tell me - I'll do my best to make it work for you!

Cost: $50
Deadline: May 20, 2009

Pay online or send a check payable to EWGA - Houston to:

EWGA c/o Andrea Gerber, 4401 Creekbend Dr., Houston, TX 77035
(please include how you want to play (competitive, scramble, fun, etc.) and handicap index)

Questions? 832.816.1298 (cell) 713.723.2442 (home) or anjiam2@yahoo.com

2009 Weekly Play Days Have Begun!!!

Check out our website for more updated information

The Golf School at Bear Creek

The Golf School at Bear Creek offers golf instructions for players of any skill level with lessons available on course as well as on the practice range. The Golf School is led by Mike Torres, Director of Instruction and PGA Member, and is conveniently located at EWGA host club Bear Creek Golf World, 16001 Clay Rd.

Whether you prefer individualized private lessons or group lessons with your friends, family or co-workers your needs can be accommodated.

Whether you are looking for a one day quick fix or a complete golf makeover the Golf School at Bear Creek can help you improve your golf game and shoot your lowest possible scores.

Start the 2009 golf season off right by a making the changes you need to play your very best game!

Looking to get your kids or grandkids involved in the game? Don't forget to check out the fun junior golf program also available at Bear Creek.

As a EWGA member you will receive 10% discount on private lessons booked prior to May 1, 2009.

For rates or to learn more, call 832-724-9533 or send email to metgolf@sbcglobal.net.

Click the link to join our Yahoo EWGA Houston Group

Let us know how this newsletter can better serve your needs. Please feel free to e-mail me or anyone of the board members.

Communications Chair