West Orange Women’s Club Golf Clinic Scores Hole-In-One

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The newly reformed West Orange Women’s Club held the first of “what will hopefully be many” golf clinics for women at the Rock Spring Golf Course last month.

The events took place on March 20 and 21. The group discussed golf outings, women in golf and general golf terms. A handout was sent via email with pictures, terms and local facilities.

“As a new organization we didn't have long-standing established fundraisers to fall back on and we needed creative ideas that were pandemic-friendly,” Vice President Jacqueline Ward said.

“We tasked each member of the board to come up with three fundraiser ideas, and my idea of a golf clinic came from a culmination of my husband’s golf expertise and passion for the game, his experience in developing beginner golf clinics and recognizing the importance of getting women active in golf,” Ward said.

Sign-up slots filled quickly and a waiting list of over 30 remained.

“What the pandemic proved is that there is a high interest for golf and women are missing out on playing and being part of business opportunities that golf outings can provide,” Ward added.

“Since we did not use our rain dates for the first event we are considering adding a second event this year and we hope the WOWC Ladies Golf Clinic will become one of our continuing fundraisers going forward,” Ward said.

Her husband, Greg Ward, said he was excited to support the WOWC and offer his services.

Ward, a former golf pro, works with Kempersports in Union County, the company hired by West Orange Township to help run Rock Spring Golf Course. After getting the support of his employer, Ward said he put together a program for women to “get over their fears, learn the basics and improve their swing.”

To find out more about the West Orange Women's Club, upcoming events, and membership go to www.westorangewomensclub.org or email wowomensclub@gmail.com.

The club offered some background about their recent reorganization efforts:

“In 2019, discussions began to re-form the WOWC. The effort was spearheaded by Jennifer Tunnicliffe, who currently serves as the President of the WOWC. The original club opened its doors to the women of West Orange in 1931 and remained active for 85 years. In 2016, the original club disbanded and donated $50,000 to the West Orange Scholarship Fund to provide funds to graduating West Orange High School Seniors in perpetuity.”

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