Around the Green

2016 Women's Championships Season Opens with the Eclectic

The 100th year of competition for Texas women amateur golfers gets under way with the start of the Women's Eclectic hosted at The Club at Sonterra.  This first championship of 2016 provides a unique format and has become one of the most popular events on the women's calendar.  In the 2-day Eclectic format, each player can use her score from either day for each hole.  As an example, assume Kelly shot a 74 on day one.  She recorded 17 pars, but made a double bogey (six) on the final hole.  On the second day, she bogeys the first 17 holes, but makes a birdie on the 18th.  Her Eclectic score will be one under par.  She keeps the better score on every hole from either day, so she records 17 pars and a birdie on 18.

The format certainly seems to suit Texas Golf Hall of Fame member Anna Schultz.  The three-time Eclectic champion is in the field this week and must be considered an early favorite.  Anna Morales, the 2014 champion will also compete and look to add another title to her resume.  Other names to watch include Jewel Mallick, a two-time Women's Four-Ball Champion, Becky Neal who finished one stroke out of a playoff for last year's event, and Carolyn Creekmore, a member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and former WTGA State Amateur Champion.

Players finishing in the top five will earn points toward the first ever Women's Player of the Year award which will be given annually to recognize the most outstanding female player in Texas.  The award will be given to the player that earns the most points through the calendar year.  To be eligible for the award, a player must play in at least one Women’s TGA event during the year.  Points may be accumulated at USGA Championships, the Texas Women's Open and Women's TGA events.  The Eclectic is the first opportunity to earn points and will give the five highest finishers a clubhouse lead for the prize. 

To celebrate the 100th birthday of the WTGA, the association is hosting a year-long program to highlight the rich history of Texas women's golf.  The "Breaking 100" program includes a fundraising campaign featuring five players who have pledged to play 100 Holes of Women's Competition to gain support for the TGA Foundation's Women's Initiatives.  Three of the five players are in the Eclectic field and their 36 holes will put them one-third of the way to their goal.  The players include local favorite Donna Brady from San Antonio, Terry Dukes from Horseshoe Bay, and Nannette Wheelis from Waco.

Follow the action at the Eclectic HERE.

For complete information about Women's Golf, visit our homepage.