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Female golfers wear black, mourn North Course

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By LAURA CONE

THE SUN

Published: October 28, 2009

Female golfers appeared to be headed to an early October funeral, but it was not a person as much as a place they were mourning.

Dressed in black, members of the Ladies Golf Association (LGA) 18-Hole group played their last game on Sun City Center's North Course Oct. 2. The course, which was closed Oct. 5 by developer WCI for economic reasons, was their regular Friday morning meeting place.

Patti Ducharme, president of the LGA, said their memorial was for the "passing of a dear friend, the North Course."

"We've played there on Fridays for decades and decades," Ducharme said. "It's like having a bucket of ice water dumped on you."

She said the women are now playing Thursday mornings, with an 8:30 shotgun start at Sandpiper along with their sister club, the Women's Golf Association, led by Jan Huber.
Ducharme said her group is planning to re-organize.

"Having the league play on different days has affected half the group as far as their ability to play," she said. "The other thing that has been a problem is that the North Course provides a clubhouse. We had our own room with cupboards and drawers. We don't even have a drawer at Sandpiper. There is zero storage."

She said WCI allows the women to reserve the North Course clubhouse by appointment only. So the LGA has had to make due, sitting on picnic tables during their Thursday morning league play.

"Our strategy right now is to tread water and discuss our various options," she said. "We are hoping at some point it could go back to Fridays."
Ducharme said Ed Barnes, the president of the SCC Community Association board of directors, has been helpful in answering questions and keeping her informed about the issue.

"Rumors have been rampant but in SCC rumors are something you listen to but you don't take them too seriously," Ducharme said. "With the golf courses not being fully utilized and the housing market depressed, it puts WCI in a corner."

Jeanne Nenarella, the president of the Women's 9-Hole Golf group, said her members are also upset by the closing of the North Course, although they did not wear black or take part in the memorial.

Nenarella, who just returned from Rhode Island, said she planned to immediately meet with her board. Currently, members of the 9-Hole are playing at Sandpiper on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.

"They are trying to work the schedule out," Nenarella said. "It's a change. People have to alter the things they do. We are all disappointed. We did not know what would happen with WCI dropping out."

She said she is curious as to whether WCI will be able to sell their three golf courses - Sandpiper, Caloosa Greens and North Lakes - which are exclusive to SCC residents.

"We are waiting to see what will happen," Nenarella said. "There is a lot of discussion going on about it. We are trying to keep our 9-hole together and work it out."

Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

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