All About Being Here

N. Dakota, Vermont Excited To Be Involved

By Ken Klavon, USGA

The Woodlands, Texas – They are here because they signed up. And because they love the game. Simple as that.

They understand their limitations, but that’s not to say they’re throwing in the towel already by any means. Two states – North Dakota and Vermont – have traditionally had trouble finding representation in the past six Women’s State Team Championships. This year, with a little prodding from their respective golf associations, they were able to cobble together squads.

“One of our state golf officials put out a sheet and you just signed up,” said Fargo, N. Dakota’s Mary Lobin, 63, on Monday prior to her practice round on the Nicklaus Course at The Club of Carlton Woods. Lobin is playing in her first USGA championship.

“We have a hard enough time getting people to our state amateurs,” cracked teammate Mary Adams, 54, of Grand Forks.

It’s been that way for some states since the inception of the championship in 1995. N. Dakota has sent just two teams since then, its best finish 42nd in 2001. In many ways it has been a daunting experience.

While Grand Forks’ Gwen Nestaval, 58, mingled with others at the official players’ dinner Sunday evening, she was left feeling overwhelmed when it wrapped up.

“Intimidating,” said Nestaval laughing. “We’re a bit concerned. Other players were talking about how they had to qualify for this.”

Vermont, which has sent three women’s teams to the event in the past and posted a 24th-place finish in 2003, could relate to N. Dakota’s plight. The issue isn’t so much about no one wanting to play. Rather, the talent pool from both states is shallow, according to 51-year-old Elizabeth Walker of Marlboro, Vt. There aren’t many qualified amateurs outside of college that fit the championship’s criteria. So unfortunately, states like N. Dakota and Vermont are devoid of accomplished amateurs that have played in a bevy of amateurs, let alone USGA championships, outside the state lines. For instance, imagine Pennsylvania’s glee of having seven-time USGA title-holder Carol Semple Thompson on its side. Simply put, some states are more competitive than others.

Of the six players representing N. Dakota and Vermont this week, only Walker has appeared in more than one state team championship. The rest are rookies.

“They begged us,” said a smiling Deirdre Morris, 47, of Brandon, Vt. “It was really who could go. There were a flurry of e-mails from Elizabeth asking, ‘Can anyone go?’ She drove the train.”

Walker figured that it was imperative that Vermont send a team this year. Not for any particular reason other than her belief that it’s a worthwhile experience no matter where they finish. One state team veteran concurred. Fifty-one-year-old Joan Garety of Ada, Mich., is one of seven players to appear in every state team event, as well as play in more than 10 USGA championships. If she had to provide advice to those new to the event, “I’d say to enjoy every moment. It’s a great event and hopefully if they shoot a high number, they’ll take that experience and work harder for the next time.”

Neither team is expected to contend this week, and that’s OK with both of them, but they will compete. When asked about their expectations, none spoke of winning. Neither exhibited signs of being cutthroat. Yet all of them talked about enjoying themselves and having fun.

“We get very few chances to play with the women who play a great caliber of golf. It’s not anywhere near this quality [in Vermont],” said Morris. “That’s exciting.”

Ken Klavon is the USGA’s Web Editor. E-mail him with questions or comments at kklavon@usga.org.