Lady Duffers  -  Golfing Great in 2008                                                                         The Hot Springs Village Lady Duffers, A golf league unique to the Village, offers seasonal play for ladies who are new to the game of golf, ladies who wish to brush up on their game after being away from it for a while, or ladies who find that they can no longer keep up with the pace of play in more demanding leagues. It offers an opportunity for golfers of all capabilities and talent to explore this popular game.                                            The Lady Duffers is a league for every golfer at some point in her golfing career.  The group was founded in 1974 by Joan Lyngen and some of her friends who wanted to be more active in this Village pastime. Forty Ladies signed up to play in  the 1975 season, and membership grew as more women discovered that golf without pressure was fun. Membership has averaged around 200 ladies for the last three years.                       A special camaraderie is a part of the attraction of Lady Duffers in 2008, just as it was over 30 years ago.                       Answering the question as to why we want to play golf, Lady Duffers respond that we do it for the exercise, for the companionship, to keep our husbands company, for the competition with others and ourselves, to spend time in beautiful surroundings, close to nature and with our friends , to build confidence in our golf knowledge and skill, to be comfortable in golf social events and for the love of the game.                          A Kick Off and Orientation Coffee will be held February 13th at the Coronado Center.  Attendance at the coffee offers returning members time to catch up with friends and for new members to learn about our league. Explanations concerning setting handicaps, the “Buddy System” and getting the 2008 league year off to a good  start will be discussed. A “Buddy System” is used each year to allow active Lady Duffers  to become a golfing partner for the less experienced or for the lady new to the Village.  New Duffers have an opportunity to play the three required nine-hole games needed to establish a handicap prior to the season opener.                          The Spring Luncheon is on March 26 at the Coronado Center. This year new members will receive a rule book and a membership book at the Spring Luncheon. Returning members will only receive a membership book.  Returning members please hang on to last years rule book.                          The season, begins on Wednesday, April 9th, at the Coronado Golf Course. Coronado is the course we play the majority of our games. The season features 26 play dates including 4-person scrambles at DeSoto, Magellan and Isabella. We will play twice at DeSoto and  Isabella due to Cortez being closed for a total of five away scrambles.                          Additional information regarding upcoming events will be made available in the Village Voice newspaper. So please watch for the Duffer column in the Recreation Section of the Voice each week or on this website under “What’s New”.                          The Officers for 2008 are President Jeri Bess; Vice President, Gerri Miezio;   Secretary, Barbara Wallisch; Treasurer, Rosie Rogers; Historian, Janis Peters.                          Members of the Lady Duffer Board are:                       Sunshine:  Linda Smith                     Pairings:  Judy Johnson                      Handicapping:  Kathy Tessman                      Starters:  Jeri Davis                     Publicity:  Joan Sible                      Luncheons:  Kay Tweddale                      Prizes:  Debbi Vander Zyl                      Junior Golf Liason:  Sue Mapp                      Scramble and Picnic:  Theresa Bentz                       Nominating:  Jackie Kadane                             Applications for membership are accepted throughout the season and are available at all golf courses or on the website. Anyone interested in obtaining more information is invited to telephone Jeri Bess, President, at 922-9749.