It’s also the site of our 2010 EWGA Chapter Championship on July 17.

We’re talking about Mill Creek Golf Course, one of our chapter’s sponsors and also one of the most beautiful spots in our area for a round of golf.

And have [...]]]> It’s one of the top daily fee golf courses in greater Rochester, and guess what?

It’s also the site of our 2010 EWGA Chapter Championship on July 17.

We’re talking about Mill Creek Golf Course, one of our chapter’s sponsors and also one of the most beautiful spots in our area for a round of golf.

And have we mentioned it’s women-friendly?

Take the forward tees, for instance. These aren’t the poorly maintained “ladies tees” that some courses throw in as an afterthought — far from it. They are beautifully groomed and placed with care. “We pride ourselves that we have five sets of tees,” notes Jim Edmister, PGA Head Professional and GM for Mill Creek. “It makes the course playable for every type of golfer.”

The forward tees are placed so you get the same course experience, when you play from them, that you’d get playing from the backs. “Golfers see the same course whether they’re playing it at 6000 yards or 7200 yards,” Edmister says.

He adds that the fairways are also forgiving. Sure, if your shot goes wide right or left you may well find yourself in the fescue. But the fairways are generous enough that only the most errant shots are penalized.

That’s not to say the course is an easy one. But then, it’s not meant to be. Designed by Ray Hearn and Paul Albanese, the course is laid out to blend with the natural aesthetics of Western New York’s unique topography. Expect a rural setting with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. And many of the holes are breathtakingly beautiful, whether you’re looking east toward the Rochester skyline or south toward the Finger Lakes.

There are also some eye-popping elevation changes, including the monster drop that concludes the dogleg left par 4 number 10 — which some consider to be the course’s signature hole. The course’s three split fairways (4, 11, and 18) also present a nice challenge in course management.

None of this would have been possible had Mill Creek — which is only five years old, making it the area’s newest 18 hole course — had been located anywhere else. “You’ll never see a course like this right next to the city,” Edmister notes.

You sure won’t. The architects needed space to make this course happen.

320 acres, to be precise.

But you know what? The results make the 20 minute drive to the course totally worthwhile.

Bottom line, Mill Creek ranks as one of Rochester’s top public courses, with very reasonable greens fees (especially compared to some of the area’s other high end public facilities).

And they are committed to women’s golf.

So be sure to book a round at Mill Creek soon, whether it’s to practice for the Chapter Championship or just to play a fun round with friends.

Interested in playing in our 2010 Chapter Championship? Click here to read more.

The Rochester Region, New York Chapter of the EWGA is once again sponsoring a chapter-level round in the annual EWGA Championship Tournament.

This year, our Chapter Championship will be played at Mill Creek Golf Club, 128 Cedars Ave, Churchville, NY, on [...]]]> How would you like to compete in the largest women’s amateur golf tournament in the world?

The Rochester Region, New York Chapter of the EWGA is once again sponsoring a chapter-level round in the annual EWGA Championship Tournament.

This year, our Chapter Championship will be played at Mill Creek Golf Club, 128 Cedars Ave, Churchville, NY, on Saturday, July 17, 2010 (raindate:  Sunday, July 18).

Registration begins at 11:30 AM, followed by a mandatory Tournament Rules Meeting at 12:00 noon. Tee off begins at 1:00 PM.

The cost to enter is $92.00, which covers your EWGA Championship Fee of   $35.00 and the Chapter Tournament Fee of $57.00. The fee includes 18 holes with cart, light dinner with dessert, and awards ceremony.

Why play in the EWGA Championship?

This tournament is a unique opportunity for Rochester women golfers:

• You get the opportunity to test your game in a competitive golf setting. As past competitors will tell you, you learn a lot about your game and yourself!

• It’s a flighted tournament, so women of any skill level can play.

• Enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow EWGA members on the gorgeous Mill Creek course!

Who is Eligible to Play?

The EWGA Championship is open to EWGA members only. (Not a member? There is still time to join! Click here to read more about the EWGA and how to become a member.)

You must have a valid handicap.

Individual stroke or scramble team

The EWGA Championship offers two different formats: individual stroke play and four-person scramble. Please review the registration information for more details on tournament formats.

Low gross and low net winners of each stroke play flight, and the winning scramble team, are eligible to advance to the EWGA Northeast Region Semi-Final, August 21 at Ledges Golf Club in South Hadley, MA.

Tee Placements

In order to comply with EWGA rules for Championship course length, the Mill Creek gold tees will be adjusted for Flights 1 thru 4 for our Chapter Championship: the tee boxes will be moved from the GOLD position to the SILVER position on the following holes:  7, 10, 13, 15, 16.

These five adjustments will change the course length, rating and slope as follows: 5,282 yards (scorecard 5,055), rating 69.4 (scorecard 68.1), slope 115 (scorecard 112).

We will place the gold tees will be in the tournament position on the day of our Chapter Championship.

However, if you want to play a practice round (or three!) prior to the Championship, the gold tees will be in their scorecard position.  You will have to play from the silver tees on the 5 holes noted above to replicate the tees on the day of the tournament.

Practice Rounds

Mill Creek is offering EWGA members a discounted greens fee of $37 for practice rounds on Saturday & Sunday, July 10 & 11, after 1PM, and Monday – Friday, July 12-16, anytime.

You must call for a reservation to obtain these discounted prices.

Ready to sign up?

To register for the Chapter Championship, you must mail a signed registration form, copy of your USGA handicap, and payment to us. The form MUST be postmarked by Thursday, June 24. So don’t delay, download your registration form today!

Here are the documents you need to register:

• Rochester Region, NY Chapter Championship Registration Invitation

• 2010 EWGA Championship Participant Information for Individual Stroke Play

• 2010 EWGA Championship Participant Information for Scramble Teams

• 2010 EWGA Chapter Championship Registration Form

Please contact us via the online form here if you have any questions or need any help getting registered for the tournament.

Good luck and can’t wait to see everyone on July 17!

NOTE: Registration and payment must be postmarked by Thursday June 24 to meet this tournament’s registration requirements.

You get golf!

The purpose of our association is summed up by the EWGA tagline: Connect, Learn, Play, Belong.

Our EWGA chapter gives Rochester women golfers opportunities to learn the game of golf, play the game [...]]]> We’ve been getting emails from Rochester women who want to know more about the EWGA. What will you get when you join?

You get golf!

The purpose of our association is summed up by the EWGA tagline: Connect, Learn, Play, Belong.

Our EWGA chapter gives Rochester women golfers opportunities to learn the game of golf, play the game of golf, and meet other women who also love to play. It’s also a great way to network–the majority of our members are area professionals.

In addition to the soft benefits, women who join our chapter are eligible for a number of discounts.

Discounts on women’s golf services, products, education, rounds

We did the math, and it was an eye-opener.

By joining EWGA, you receive up to $270 in savings on golf-related products and services this year, right here in Rochester.

• Seven EWGA Chapter Clinics @ $5 off per clinic: you save $35
• Two EWGA Chapter Instructional Series @ $25 off per clinic: you save $50
• USGA Handicap Index through the EWGA Golf Life Management System (GLMS), free with your membership: $30 value
• Joining a league? Save $25
• Golf fitness class discount: save $20
• Need golf shoes? A-GAME Sports discount on women’s golf shoes: up to $50
• GolfTEC lesson package: 20% off: $60 (double the national GolfTEC discount)

And that’s just here in town. There are other discounts negotiated by EWGA national (check their site often as this list grows all the time). Examples: 25% off Tail Activewear women’s golf clothing; 10% off Sporty Chic golf clothing; 10% off Liberty Mutual auto or home insurance; 10% discount on selected Golfsmith products; 15% discount at 1800 flowers.

[Members: to see these discounts, you need to go to the EWGA national site and log onto the Members Clubhouse (formerly calls Members Only). Do check it out if you haven't, recently -- they've added quite a few additional discounts.]

Given today’s uncertain economy, it’s nice to know that joining EWGA is an investment in your game.

EWGA Championship

Another benefit of joining is that you can participate in the EWGA Championship Tournament: the largest women’s amateur tournament in the world.

The EWGA Championship, which includes stroke and scramble team format play, is open only to EWGA members. It’s a flighted tournament — which means women of any skill level can play.

That makes it a great way to experience competitive golf!

Any member of our chapter can play in the first round, our Chapter Championship, July 17 at Mill Creek. Two women from each of the four stroke play flights, and one scramble team, can advance to the regionals on August 21 in Springfield, Mass.

Connecting with other women golfers: Priceless!

Joining the EWGA also enables you to connect with other women golfers. Through our Fairway Friends mentoring program, leagues, golf events, networking events, and the EWGA Championship, you have the opportunity to form business connections and lasting friendships, all through the great game of golf!

Questions about joining? Click here, fill out the contact form, and our membership chair will be happy to drop you an email or give you a call.

Rochester women enjoyed meeting other golfers and catching up with old friends.

Women who attended the brunch were invited to sign up for our golf leagues, clinics, and mentoring program.

Guest speaker Shannon Walton, sports psychology consultant, gave a talk on using [...]]]> Our 2010 Chapter Kick-Off was a great success! Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Rochester women enjoyed meeting other golfers and catching up with old friends.

Women who attended the brunch were invited to sign up for our golf leagues, clinics, and mentoring program.

Guest speaker Shannon Walton, sports psychology consultant, gave a talk on using positive self talk to improve golf performance.

Ed Coleman, president of A-GAME Global Sports, announced a 50% discount on ladies golf shoes for EWGA members.

Participating in the EWGA Championship is one benefit of membership, and you might even win a trophy like one of these!

First low [...]]]> Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 Rochester Region, NY Chapter Championship!

First low gross and first low net winners in each flight qualify to advance to the 2009 EWGA Semi-final Championship,  Northeastern region, on August 15, 2009, at the Western Turnpike Golf Course in Guilderland, New York.

Congratulations to our winners, and best of luck to the ladies representing our chapter in Guilderland!

And you can participate — no matter what your skill level is.

Your first step: register for the 2009 Rochester Region, NY Chapter EWGA Championship tournament on Saturday, June 18 at Shadow Pines Golf Club in Penfield.

Click here to [...]]]> Did you know that the EWGA Championship is the largest organized amateur women’s golf competition in the world?

And you can participate — no matter what your skill level is.

Your first step: register for the 2009 Rochester Region, NY Chapter EWGA Championship tournament on Saturday, June 18 at Shadow Pines Golf Club in Penfield.

Click here to download a registration form (Microsoft Word document).

You can play as an individual in the stroke play competition, or form a scramble team.

Winners of the Chapter Championship will advance to the Northeastern Semi-Final Championship on August 15 at Western Turnpike Golf Course in Guilderland, N.Y. The 2009 finals are being held on September 25-26 at the PGA Golf Club, Wanamaker & Ryder Courses, in Port St. Lucie, FL.

You do need to be an EWGA membership to participate (click here for membership information) and you must have a handicap.