HISTORY OF NWGA
SEE SPEECH BELOW BY KATHERINE GRAHAM
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NWGA Opening Luncheon, April 2, 2004
Speech by Katherine Graham
I am very grateful to you for asking me to be here today. It is always an exciting time when it is the first NWGA meeting. Thank you, Cousin Pam, for bringing me. It is a long time since I drove to Old Hickory. Mostly I am grateful to your president for her quote in Tee Times. When commenting on the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame, she said, “one of our own”. I loved that and it is certainly true. I have such fond memories of the playdays in this group. How wonderful a few other than I are sill around and some participating. They honor me by their presence. Thank you.
When I joined this group you had to turn in ten rounds from several different clubs with score under 110! That made you eligible – can you believe it! No quotas as to clubs and GHIN computer generated handicaps. In fact, one of the most difficult jobs was the Handicap Committee as it was all done by hand and no percentages were involved. There were no cards. Caddies were $2.50 each. Play day was Wednesday but that soon changed. No tee times, you just came and played with whomever happened to be at the tee at the time you were.
First golf job I had – other than a club one – was NWGA. But I do not seem to remember what it was. Think I did most of them at some time. And I know that you will not believe me that the two local newspapers were actually anxious to cover the activities of the group. On the sports pages and the so-called Society pages. There were pictures on the course and doing various jobs, like making the pairings. I remember a Pro-Lady at the wonderful old Woodmont Club when I was on the winning team, there was a big picture in the paper the next day and Waxo Green was there to talk to us when we finished. One of my few wins, by the way and it was a team event! Hope all those scrapbooks are still around somewhere.
Think you all realize that I was not a good golfer, but I was fast. On one waited behind my group because I was rushing then to hold our place. I am fortunate to have realized what despite my devotion to and love of the game I was not going to be a skilled player…so I put my energy into trying to bring respect for women’s golf at all levels. I did accept the Tennessee Golf Association honor in October for all the women who gave so much of time, effort, skill, and yes – money for travel, etc. There were a lot of them in all golf organizations --- still are lots of them. Now we have Rules Seminars and good professional help in our state and national golf associations. That was not available a few years ago.
Just a few things about that “big” job – Chairman of the Women’s Committee for the United States Golf Association. It is even bigger now. I was lucky to be there when the group asserted its knowledge and desire and were given the chance to make the Women’s Committee a viable part of golf. And to see the first female President of the USGA and women serving on the Executive Committee now. Judy Bell was that woman – she was kind enough to come in October to make the induction speech – she talked too long by the way. I went to one of the first Rules Schools. It was at the Olympic Club in San Francisco and learned much I did not know. Now you must have at least an 85 on the tough test at the end of three days in order to officiate at a USGA event. Most of my friends here did know what I was doing when I went away in the summer – I was offended one time when I was asked “ did you keep score at the Women’s Open?” I had been a referee.
Just a few of those MOSTS of those times:
Most thrilling – being Captain of the US team for the World Amateur Team Championships in Christ Church, New Zealand and raising the flag for our country (I think that 30 nations participated that year). I teared up a bit when they played our anthem and I lowered the flag when our team won. By the way, the men’s US team did not win. It was also the only time I was ever asked by a really good golfer how to hit a shot. Captains were allowed to give advice to their team members. It customary for the captain to walk down the first hole with each of her team members. Pat Hurst was the amateur champion that year and was the last person to tee off. Pat is very laid back and blasé, but something about being announced last and as the reigning amateur champion of the US, undid her. The flat missed her tee shot, stubbing her club in the ground and the ball trickled about 90 or so yards down the fairway. She was stricken and said, “Captain, tell me what to do.” It was obvious. I simply told her to take as much wood as carried and aim for the middle of the green. She did, got it on, the putt went in and she had a birdie. She calmed down and played her usual splendid game after that.
Tiredest I have ever been – after the longest Women’s Open in history. It was hot enough in New Jersey at Plainfield Club to cause storms and delayed play and the tournament extended a day and then we had a tie – I had done all by duties, plus referring the last group for four days in the heat. Laura Davies, playing in her first pro event in this country, finally won. All this plus being nice to the host club in the evenings in dirty clothes after a 12 hour day on the golf course. That was when Laura – you know how tall she is – ignored me completely and asked for Mr. Boatwright when I told her to take a drop away from behind a grandstand – the drop circle was closer to the green. By the way, Mr. P. J. Boatwright told her to take the same drop that I did – thank goodness.
Most perplexed I have been was at the very first Mid-Am in Tulsa at Southern Hills when the players kept coming to me and saying “we have a man playing in this tournament”. You have probably all read about sex change operations. To make a long, difficult problem short: this person was a “woman” who had done that and had played as a man, so was very strong. It was like the Renee Richards thing in tennis. Fortunately she did not win, got to the quarterfinals. We had many meetings at the direction of the Executive Committee who wanted our advice about what to do. Lots of money was spent with expert lawyers from all over this country to come up with the simple “Born a female”. It is a very complex and perplexing problem facing women’s golf. No studies have been made about how much muscle strength a man loses with female hormones and the operation. I think that it is sad and must admit that I do not understand it.
Most interesting and exciting: When the first men’s Open was held at Shinicock Hills on Long Island the Women’s Committee was asked to do the registration. It is a real golf club with no women’s organization. We loved it and got our picture made with Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and lunch with us – Tom Watson, Tom Kite, Hale Irwin and all the big names were there. They kidded us and we all had a great time. Having dinner with Ben Hogan was in that same category.
I have been blessed with the privilege of officiating at events in Hong Kong, Venezuela, Canada, Sweden and others. One time I had to have an interpreter when making a ruling.
Most throat tightening – no doubt it was at Royal St. George’s in England when I was Chairman and the Curtis Cup was held there. By the way, the Brits do all their own rulings. I had to speak at the opening and closing ceremonies to all those proper British golfers and fans. Also had to talk when our side lost – I think they understood me when I gave them congratulations and then told our team we had made the right selections for our side and would not change a single member of the group. I am sure they understood me in New Zealand a Christ Church is on the south island!
It has sure been fun – golf makes for deep and long lasting friendships. I treasure them all, those that are still with us and those who are gone. Women’s golf has grown and there is more growth to come. Best of all is the good will Amateur competition makes and we have all been blessed to experience.
Thank you again.
Katherine Graham
