The motto of the Tryon Country Club (TCC) Women’s Golf Association is: “Be kind. Be gentle. Encourage one another.” For 51 weeks a year, that’s a given, but this week all bets are off as some of the area’s top players battle it out for the best of the best title.

The annual two-round Ladies Club Championship begins on Tuesday at the historic Donald Ross design in Tryon. The lowest total in both the nine-and-18-hole competition claim the title.

Gerald Weathers, head golf professional and general manager, oversees the event.

“This tournament comes with bragging rights that last 12 months, so there is an added level of excitement,” Weathers said.

Defending 9-hole champion Libby Hewitt was the last standing a year ago after winning in a playoff. It was her first tournament after a 30-year break from the game.

“It was such fun.  I hadn’t played in a competitive event for so long, I didn’t even know I was supposed to be nervous. It was random that I won but I had a great time,” Hewitt said.

Tournament play can be nerve wracking.  Even short putts look long when a title is on the line.

“No one comes right out and says they want to be the club champion, but we are all thinking it.  It’s a title any golfer would love to have, because it can never be taken away,” new member Jennifer Grabosky said.

Tryon Women’s Golf Association President Judy Muncy thinks taking a page out of the history books might be the answer. “I saw in the Rio coverage that Margaret Abbot won Olympic gold way back in 1900 with a 9-hole score of 47. Most of the ladies would love that number this week!”

This year’s competition has special meaning as Tryon Country Club celebrates its centennial anniversary.  According to six-time past champion Joyce Arledge, the history of women’s golf at Tryon Country Club is rich.

“We have had some fine players here, ladies who shot in the 70’s regularly.  Margaret Hannon and Inky Cloud dominated the ladies circuit here for years,” Arledge explained.

While there will be agonizing over irons and grinding over putts this week, once it is all said and done, the gals will go back to doing what they do best, enjoying a game and a place that holds a special place in their hearts, according to Becky Kennedy.

“We play together every Tuesday in our regular league.  Many of us have been friends for years. Tryon Country Club is like a home away from home.  It’s not about the title, it’s about friendship, getting in touch with nature and good times,” Kennedy said.

The Club Championship will be played Tuesday and Thursday this week, with results posted in the Tryon Daily Bulletin.

– article submitted by Jennifer Grabosky