Trudy Rossi
Things have been very quiet Monday mornings around the SaddleBrooke One putting green only because it has been closed for the past four weeks, but look out because our snowbirds are returning, our winter start time is now 9:30 a.m. and the social calendar is heating up.
One of the most popular and fun events for the Sputters is their annual tournament with the Lady Niners. On Tuesday, October 23, more than 30 putters met up with their partner from the Niners and teams of four had a great time on the Tucson Course. While rain clouds swirled overhead, only a few drops fell and the tournament ended with another delicious lunch in The Vistas. The theme of the event was a Mediterranean afternoon and the entrée was a delicious grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, sautéed red onion and olive pasta dish. Dessert was outstanding salted caramel gelato and everyone was satisfied and happy, especially those lucky winners of the tournament.
First place in the Cholla Flight went to Pat Avery, Donna Gruninger, Yvonne Garthwait and Diana Miller. First place winners in the Prickly Pear flight were Robbie Summers, Judy Anick, Cathe Kropp and Linda Lewis. Second place in each respective flight went to Barb Verbus, Nancy Bowersock, Bev Radford and Hazel Roper; Janet Rasmussen, Tammy Brown, Betsy Levenson and Irene Somes. Coming in third were JoAnn Ellison, Carol Odell, Sandra Wagoner and Carol Nicholson; Dian Kupper, Jan Deschamp, Theresa Mares and Linda Malone. A separate contest of “Guess the Number of Golf Balls in the Jar” was won by Debbie Thompson, Niner’s President. She had a great eye and guessed 93 balls when there were in fact 94! Congratulations to all those who placed but everyone who participated was a winner because it was another great event with old and new friends.
Of course, these terrific tournaments do not come together without hours of planning and coordination. Sincere thanks to the Sputters committee of Donna Gruninger and Elaine Ackerman, co-chairs, Barb Turner and Sue Bartholme did the outstanding table decorations, Sheila Abraham and Joanne Fairweather, check-in and Donna Bujnovsky, statistics and treasurer. Thank you to the Niners’ committee of Romayne Trudo, chair, Sue Schliepsiek, co-chair and golf ball guessing game, Edi Crall, check-in, Judy Schilling, treasurer, Barb Verbus, internal communications and, playing the most important role, Char Crosssman, who did the pairings and the final scores. Lastly thanks always to SaddleBrooke One Food & Beverage for a delicious lunch and to Troy Jewkes and Bernie Eaton for their assistance and coordination with this successful event. It was with sadness but best wishes that we all said so-long to Bernie and wished him well in his new venture.
The Sputters are looking forward to the November 5 Thanksgiving luncheon meeting as well as the December 3 holiday lunch celebration.
If you have an interest in joining or learning more about the Verde Sputters, please contact our Membership Team of Elaine Ackerman and Donna Gruninger at 825-8123.