Verde Sputters award winners for 2025: Laura Berkley (Low Score), Hazel Roper (Low Score Average), Gail Goede (Most Improved), and Opal Larkin (Most Holes-in-One) (photo by Karen Lott)
Connie Kotke
On Jan. 5, 75 members of the Verde Sputters arrived bright and early at the SaddleBrooke One clubhouse to kick off another year of fun, friendships, and (we hope) many personal putting records. The first-of-its-kind annual meeting included a delicious breakfast buffet, a 50/50 raffle benefiting Sister José Women’s Center of Tucson, chances to sign up for volunteer activities, and a special program. After all the indoor festivities, we adjourned to the putting greens for a lively round in the warming sun. All in all, it was a successful and productive day.
Early in the program, we recognized four individuals who turned in extraordinary putting performances in 2025. Congratulations to these hard-working putters, each of whom received a gift bag featuring a Verde Sputters insulated water bottle and multi-pocket soft carrying case:
• With a total of 55, Opal Larkin earned the Most Holes-in-One award.
• Gail Goede was our Most Improved player, with a 10 percent improvement in her average scores between 2024 and 2025.
• Hazel Roper turned in the Low Score Average of 38.26.
• Laura Berkley earned the Low Score award with a combination score of 32 and the highest number of play days during the year.
The 50/50 raffle generated a donation of $186 to Sister José Women’s Center and a matching cash award to Sputters member Sue Golder. Other prizes included two free luncheon certificates, three birdhouses hand-painted with the Verde Sputter logo and other ornamentation in the Norwegian rosemaling style, and cash envelopes for the first- and second-place teams winning our Tribal Trivia contest.
The Verde Sputters have a busy 2026 on deck, including tournaments with the MountainView Lady Putters and SaddleBrooke Ranch Ranchettes, a round of golf with the SaddleBrooke One Lady Niners, Summer Fun Night in August, and several luncheon meetings throughout the year.
More information about the club and its activities can be found on the SaddleBrooke One residents website under Sanctioned Clubs and Groups. Dues are just $48 per year for playing members and $24 per year for social members. Any SaddleBrooke resident or renter (in SaddleBrooke One or SaddleBrooke TWO) who does not belong to a sanctioned golf league is welcome to join.
Give us a try at no charge! Simply come to the ramada at the main putting green behind the SaddleBrooke One clubhouse at 9:30 a.m. (unless there’s a frost delay). Bring a putter, ball, soft-soled shoes, water, and a smile. We’ll introduce you to a friendly group of ladies who will show you the ropes. If you have any questions about membership, please contact Lydia O’Connor at 507-421-5640 or Lh1017ger47@gmail.com.