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HHLGA History

1965

· Hershel (Hut) Eaton became the Pro at the newly opened Harpeth Hills Golf Course. “Hut” started caddying in March 1927 at Shelby Golf Course at age 15. At 19, he became the foreman of the greens there. In 1937 he started building Percy Warner’s nine holes. Continuing at Shelby in 1939, he helped build McCabe and when in 1941 it was complete, he moved to McCabe GC. In 1955, he built Cumberland GC which later became Ted Rhodes. “Hut” worked on Harpeth Hills Golf Course from 1962 until 1965; and he became Pro here when it opened in June 1965. During this time, Ray, “Hut”s youngest son, was foreman at Shelby. Herschel Eaton operated Harpeth Hills from 1965 until 1981 when he retired and turned his job over to his son Ray.

1987

· Bonnie Gregg and Jackie Barnette organized a meeting to form the Harpeth Hills Ladies Golf Association. Brentwood Country Club golf course was closed for remodeling and those women played at Harpeth Hills and helped to establish our league. Many wanted to and did continue with the league even after their golf course was reopened

· Juanita Shaver heard about the organizational meeting and came dressed in her business suit; and as the story goes, the look on her face when she went into the meeting with all the other women dressed in their casual golf clothes……

· The charter members who still are members of HHLGA: Jackie Barnette, Joan Curry, Peggy Faimon, Bonnie Gregg, Roswitha Lewis, Ondra Martin, Juanita Shaver, and Elaine Fahrner.

· Ray Eaton encouraged the league and guaranteed us 12 tee times on Thursday mornings from April through October.

· The first membership book was 16 pages long, had 48 members, no Constitution, only 6 rules, and an Executive Board. The Board was: Bonnie Gregg (Chairman), Mary Ann Mott (Vice Chairman), Helen Bowers (Sec. Treasurer), Peggy Faimon (Handicap), and Jackie Barnette (Tournament Rules).

· Membership fee was $11.00. A ball fee of $.50 was paid before teeing off to be eligible for the day’s prizes.

· The Club championship was played on September 24, 25 and October 1.

1988

· No new membership book was given in the spring; only a revised Membership list.

· During a regular league play day, Jackie Barnette and Karen Hale were putting on the now 15^th hole. Karen was addressing her putt, when Jackie noticed a naked man coming towards them from the woods. The “streaker” laid down in the “cold wet grass”. Jackie didn’t say a word because she didn’t want to distract Karen from her putt. Great example of etiquette! They continued to play; however, the police were called and a search was made of the woods.

1989

· The front cover of the handbook changed from a single lady golfer to three scenes of ladies playing golf.

· Constitution was added and Membership, Nominating, Hospitality, Publicity, Telephone, and Sunshine Committees added.

· B-Membership List was created.

· Handicap Tournament introduced.

· Closest-to-the pin contest was introduced for our weekly play days.

· 5/12/98 Bobbie Lindsey had a hole-in-one on the #15 hole during league play.

· A computer was donated by the HHLGA staff and Peggy Faimon, Handicap Chairman, taught us how to record our scores on it. The old paper system was discarded.

· Lad ‘N Lassie Tournament established.

· May 11, the Memorial Tournament was introduced to remember the women who had played golf in our league and are now deceased.

· 6/8/89 During league play, Jean Walls had a hole-in-one on the #12 hole. (Now #3)

1990

· Nanci Irvin selected the permanent Club Championship Trophy.

· Member/Guest Tournament introduced.

· Harpeth Hills Golf Course got a remodeling and the greens were changed from Bermuda grass to Bent grass.

· The nines were reversed and the number 1 hole became the number 10 hole.

1991

· No Club Championship. The league decided to contribute all the prize money in the treasury to a fund for Nancy Holmes to help with her medical expenses. Nancy was a great amateur golfer in TN; her mother, Carol was a member of the Town and Country Golf Association.

1992

· At the spring Meeting, a hilarious skit was performed to explain the rules of golf and etiquette. Juanita Shaver, now dressed in golf clothes, wrote it and some of the mimes were: Donna Zak, Anne Nelson, Imogene Harper, and Charlotte Hellerquist.

· Penny Putt Tournament introduced.

· In honor of the Summer Olympics, Nanci Irvin awarded the members who won the major tournaments gold medals on red/white/blue ribbons for their achievements.

1993

· 8/5/93 Mae Dean had a Hole in One on #6 hole.

1994

· Slope rating of Harpeth Hills Golf Course reevaluated.

· Fall Meeting and Luncheon held at the Brentwood Elks Club,

1995

· Cancer tournament established by Juanita Shaver.

· Harpeth Hills Golf Course became a member of the Audubon Sanctuary Cooperative Program.

1997

· Golf Season began with a Rules of Golf Workshop and Fashion Show.

· Lifetime Membership was created. At the Fall Meeting the first inductees were announced: Bonnie Gregg, Imogene Harper, and Betty Gardner.

1998

· The hardcover membership book with replaceable pages was introduced.

· HHLGA and Metro participated in the remodeling of the ladies lounge.

· HHLGA Newsletter introduced.

· Sister Finch was granted Lifetime Membership.

· Shot gun start was initiated.

· Closest-to-the pin contest was introduced for our weekly play days.

· 5/12/98 Bobbie Lindsey had a hole-in-one on the #15 hole during league play.

· A computer was donated by the HHLGA staff and Peggy Faimon, Handicap Chairman, taught us how to record our scores on it. The old paper system was discarded.

1999

· HHLGA hosted all of Middle Tennessee women at a Rules and Handicap Seminar in March. Mark Hill and Lynne Howd from TGA were the speakers.

· The bluebird was adopted as our logo.

· The President’s Cup Award was introduced.

· Mary Gaston received Lifetime Membership.

· HHLGA began a handicap service for ladies outside the league who wish to establish a USGA handicap.

· A trophy case, commissioned by Bobbie Lindsey, was built and dedicated to Pro Ray Eaton in July.

· HHLGA volunteered their services on Audubon projects. They maintained the hummingbird feeders, helped construct a nature guide for the golf course, and prepared a bulletin board of educational materials in the Harpeth Hills Clubhouse.

· A Granite Tee marker with our logo was erected on the Seventeenth hole through donations from members of our league.

· HHLGA members rallied to help Lisa Dickerson with her recovery from cancer.

· Cart paths were repaved by Metro.

· The memorial Tournament now remembers Dottie Barron, Helen Bowers, Bondele Brown, Ned Gregory, Anne Hailey, Sammie Moudlin, Marge Morse, Irma Nickens, Betty Phillips, Rosemary Dougherty, Jennie Winkler, and Grace Richardson.

2000

· HHLGA hosted our first invitational tournament in May.

· A contribution of $531.00 from the Cancer Tournament was presented to the American Cancer Society.

· The first Grace Cup, two day tournament between Town & Country Ladies Association and the HHLGA was success and plans are underway to continue this event.

· Juanita Shaver was granted Lifetime Membership.

· Bonnie Gregg was awarded the President’s Cup.

2001

· Suzette Rutherford and Lisa Dickerson were granted Honorary Membership in the HHLGA.

· A contribution of $510.00 for the Rally for a Cure and an additional $550.00 was presented to the American Cancer Society

2002

· HHLGA unveiled it’s new website: www.hhlga.com

· Bennie Starks was granted Lifetime Membership

· The Memorial Tournament now remembers Dottie Barron, Helen Bowers, Bondele Brown, Ned Gregory, Anne Hailey, Sammie Moudlin, Marge Morse, Irma Nickens, Betty Phillips, Rosemary Dougherty, Jennie Winkler, and Grace Richardson.

· In October, past and present members celebrated the 15^th birthday of the formation of the league. All guests received prizes or a chance to break the bluebird Piñata which Martha Caulkins made. The bluebird now hangs in the locker room.

· The 2002 cancer benefit raised $420.00 to Rally for the Cure and $666.00 for the American Cancer Society.

· At the Fall Meeting, Bobbie Lindsey and Carol Fitzer presented an uproarious skit to explain ready golf and speed of play.

2003

· The 2003 cancer benefit raised $505.00 for the Rally for the Cure and $546.00 for the American Cancer Society

· Great Halloween Party…tricks and treats all over the course.

· Holes-in-one: Dorothy Holtsford #3

Sarah Shively #15

2004

· American Cancer donation was $345.00.

· New Lifetime Members were honored: Peggy Faimon, Bobby Lindsey

· The Halloween Party was rained out. One of many play days rained out this season.

· Membership – we sent a letter to Country Club of Franklin and our membership application was added to our Website.

2005

· American Cancer (Rally for the Cure) donation $515.00

· The league purchased a new computer for the locker room

· The Memorial Tournament now remembers Dottie Barron, Helen Bowers, Bondele Brown, Ned Gregory, Anne Hailey, Sammie Moudlin, Marge Morse, Irma Nickens, Betty Phillips, Rosemary Dougherty, Jennie Winkler, Grace Richardson, Sister Finch, Emily Cox, and Carol Troka

· Eleven new members joined HHLGA

· Great Halloween party – thanks to Marlene Jones and Carol Glasgow.

· Birdie and Eagle awards were established.

· We regret the passing of two of our members- Carol Fitzer and Carol Troka.

2006

· American Cancer (Rally for the Cure) donation was $350.

· The Memorial Tournament now remembers Dottie Barron, Helen Bowers, Bondele Brown, Ned Gregory, Anne Hailey, Sammie Moudlin, Marge Morse, Irma Nickens, Betty Phillips, Rosemary Dougherty, Jennie Winkler, Grace Richardson, Sister Finch, Emily Cox, Carol Troka and Carol Fitzer

· Two new pages were added to the Website. The members are now able to add news and comments of interest to the “News” page and the hostess can add play day winners to the “Scoreboard” page.

· Twelve new members joined HHLGA

2007

· American Cancer (Rally for the Cure) donation was $635.

· The Memorial Tournament this year remembered Dottie Barron, Helen Bowers, Bondele Brown, Ned Gregory, Anne Hailey, Sammie Moudlin, Marge Morse, Irma Nickens, Betty Phillips, Rosemary Dougherty, Jennie Winkler, Grace Richardson, Sister Finch, Emily Cox, Carol Troka and Carol Fitzer.

· We regret the passing of our dear friends Bonnie Gregg and June Berry. Bonnie was a founding member and the first President of our league.

· Ray Eaton, retired manager of Harpeth Hills, passed away during the winter. He called our league “my ladies”.

· We welcomed seventeen (17) new members.

· The league gathered for a holiday party in December. Past President, Kathy Barber, drove up from Atlanta to surprise everyone. A fun game of Dirty Santa was played after a pot luck luncheon. Everyone agreed that we must plan this every year.

· Patsi Flatt got a hole-in-one on Hole #3 using a 5 iron.

· Martha Caulkins got a hole-in-one, but sadly it was at another course.