The Rancho Bernardo Inn Women’s Golf Club marked its 55th anniversary as an organization at the Club’s Invitational tournament on May 15 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course.
The tournament drew a full field of 144 golfers on a cloudy, windy day. The gloomy weather was no match, however, for the excitement and energy of the 36 foursomes as they caravanned out to their starting tee assignments.
SUPER GROOVY FLOWER POWER – Hearkening the culture of the 1960s, the team of Lauri Heath, Suzanne LaTour, Karen Dye and Mary Lynne Bachman won the prize for most creative team costume. (Photo by Rick Berlin)
In keeping with the Invitational theme, “America the beautiful: Celebrating state flowers across the nation,” a variety of floral arrangements dotted the course – at tee boxes, on the patio fireplace at breakfast and on the tables at lunch. A prize was awarded for the most creative team “costume” in keeping with the flower theme. (See photo at left).
Sixteen teams won prizes for low scores for the tournament format (four-person team modified waltz), and individuals were rewarded for closest to the pin on the four par-threes, for the longest drive on hole No. 12 and for the straightest drive on hole No. 8.
Golfers began their early day with a continental breakfast on the Rancho Bernardo Inn patio and then proceeded to their starting tee assignments for an 8 a.m. shotgun start. After the round, players gathered in the Bernardo Room for a three-course gourmet luncheon.
To help celebrate the Club’s 55th anniversary, RBIWGC President Dena Marvel announced the re-formation of the Legacy Club, a group of former members from the area. The 2018 honorees in attendance at the luncheon included Terry Bell, Pat Ford, Jean Kunberger, Marge Peterson, Carol Robbins, Helene Shaughnessy, Joan Sjoblom and Bev Zirkle.
A large group of RBIWGC volunteers planned and produced the 2018 tournament. Sue Haskell served as Invitational Committee chair. Other committee chairs included Hilary Quinn, registration; Mary Jo Rice, prizes; Romona Smith, tee-sign sponsors; Judi Berlin, handicaps; Liz Burchill, breakfast; and Diane Borden, communications. Several other Club members volunteered to serve on the various committees.
Among the Rancho Bernardo Inn staff who contributed to the success of the tournament were Bryon Penfield, director of golf; Matt Loflen, tournament director; Paul Kipfstuhl, tournament coordinator; Nolan Schmuckle, first assistant; John Sullivan and Calvin Nollner, banquet managers; and all golf outside staff.
The Rancho Bernardo Inn Women’s Golf Club was founded in 1963. The first Invitational was held in spring 1964 and has since grown into one of the premier women’s golfing events in San Diego County. (For more on the Club’s history, please click here.)