by BOB DICK

Last fall, the membership of the exclusive Rhode Island Women’s Golf Association
turned down by an overwhelming margin a by-law change that would have opened up the organization to women who belonged to non-private golf clubs.

That vote was a huge disappointment to association president Lori DiPersio and her board of directors. Instead of being more inclusive, the RIWGA remained very exclusive. “That decision really took the wind out of our sails,” DiPersio told Ocean State Golf last November.

Since then the RIWGA board of directors has come up with a brand new idea for their major tournaments that will make them more inclusive. Under a two-year plan, the board accepted a proposal that will open these tournaments up to all women in Rhode Island, not just members of the elite private club sect.

“We have had this on the table for a few years — to open up our tournaments — but we had always, instead, focused on opening up our membership. That didn’t work out, so we’re trying this,” said DiPersio. “And we’re doing it because our tournaments haven’t been well supported by our membership and that was because of the level of good competition. I want to make something clear — we are not asking women to join the RIWGA.”

Tournaments affected include the Senior Championship at Point Judith C.C. in late May, the RI/Conn team matches June 20 at the New Haven C.C., the New England Women’s Golf Association Tournament also in June, the Two-Ball Championship July 22 at Agawam Hunt, the RIWGA State Amateur Championship at Kirkbrae in August, the Stroke Play Championship at Ledgemont September 2, and the Endicott Cup Tournament in late September at Misquamicut C.C. Of those seven events, only two, NEWGA and the Endicott tourney, have been open to anyone with the proper handicap.

DiPersio, whose term as president runs out later this year, explained to her membership that the Rhode Island-only events have not had full fields and that it is the hope of her board of directors that there will be an increase in participation that will also add to the revenue for the clubs hosting the events.

Reaction to the newly named RIWGA Tournament Players Club has been generally positive, said DiPersio. “Some people see it as a good compromise; others, who voted to turn down open membership, now say that we didn’t get what we wanted then so now we’re going to force this on them. We’re going to try it for two years and see what happens.”

Rhode Island Hall of Famer Nancy Chaffee and Gale Hanna have been selected as co-chairmen of these tournaments.” We’re going to run these events like we do our junior tournaments, which are open to anyone,” said Chaffee. “I think it is a win-win situation because it will make our own tournaments true championships, open to anyone in Rhode Island. The members who are complaining about this really can’t complain because they didn’t support those tournaments anyway.”

Chaffee suggested that any woman (must be a Rhode Island resident) interested in competing in these events can visit the RIWGA website for an application. Also required is a GHIN (USGA standard) handicap index, which will be limited to 29.0 and lower. Chaffee said a golfer without such a handicap index can apply for one at ButtonHole Golf Course in Providence.