Contact me if you want to join our club
16 February 2026 Charbonneau Villager
Niners
By CATHY LOFFINK
Contact me if you want to join our club
Is it really that time to begin thinking about the 2026 golf and Niner event season? Before getting into that, it is important to thank all involved and those who
LOFFINK generously supported
the Employee Scholarship Fund. Our Niner representative for 2025 was Virginia Horler and her enthusiasm for this cause was and still is contagious. Congratulations to the Charbonneau Golf Club employee candidates who were selected and we look forward to helping the 2026 students achieve their goals.
Back to my initial thought. With our official season just around the corner, I want to share a story that Niner Darlene Crosby told me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
“ My parents had recently bought a condo in Florida to join the‘ snowbirds’ who leave Chicago for the winter months. My mom had never played golf and really wanted to learn so a friend of hers( Mary) offered to give her the first lesson. My mother went out and bought a beautiful blue and white golf outfit to wear that day so she would look like a golfer.
They headed out to a local golf
Recipients Max and McKenna, NIner President Joann Caravolho and Niner representative Virginia Horler at the scholarship presentation.
course and on the first hole Mary went over the basics of how to hold the club, tee up the ball, etc. She then said she would demonstrate what a good swing looked like. Mary teed up her ball, took her driver and did a full swing back, neglecting to warn my mom to stand back. Mary ended up hitting her in the forehead and leaving a large, bloody gash. The golf lesson was quickly over and they headed to the car to go to the hospital. Once there it was determined she needed stitches to sew up the gash. The young doctor who was doing the stitches asked if she was able to golf any holes before the accident happened. My mom said‘ No’ to which he replied,‘ That’ s unfortunate, because you look really cute.’”
Needless to say, his comment made her day and the experience was shared time and time again in our family! She ultimately learned to golf and happily spent some of her retirement days on the golf course.” Aside from laughter, I had a few thoughts on the story. First, it is best to have a professional to give a lesson. Second, if a friend wants to help, going shopping for a new outfit would be best.
Our winter events got off to a good start. JoAnna Sawyer, our Niner who can come up with any game for any age group, did her thing. To play her games, a little mobility is handy, good hand-eye coordination is helpful and a willingness to be embarrassed is a must. The result is usually just fun and sometimes goofy. I have never seen so many ways to use solo cups. Our next winter event is Tuesday, Feb. 10. Be sure to sign up.
If you haven’ t already seen the video showings of our past Niner performances, there is still an opportunity, JoAnna will be showing them on Tuesday, Jan. 27, Feb. 17 and Feb. 24 in the Clubhouse Cardroom at 1 p. m. This is a bit of nostalgia you are sure to enjoy.
If you are curious about our club or think you may want to join, please contact Cathy Loffink, membership chair, at info @ ladiesninersgolf. com. Applications are online at ladiesninersgolf. com or in the Proshop on the Niners counter.
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