WEST ORANGE, NJ – “The West Orange Women’s Club is a newly re-formed organization,” began club Acting Vice-President Jacqueline Ward. In 2019, discussions began to re-form the WOWC. The effort was spearheaded by Jennifer Tunnicliffe, who currently serves as the President of the WOWC.
The original club opened its doors to the women of West Orange in 1931 and remained active for 85 years. In 2016, the original club disbanded and donated $50,000 to the West Orange Scholarship Fund to provide funds to graduating West Orange High School Seniors in perpetuity.
“As a new organization we didn’t have long-standing established fundraisers to fall back on, and we needed creative ideas that were pandemic-friendly. We tasked each member of the board to come up with three fundraiser ideas, and my idea of a golf clinic came from a culmination of my husband’s golf expertise and passion for the game, his experience in developing beginner golf clinics and recognizing the importance of getting women active in golf,” added Ward.
Sign-up slots filled quickly and a waiting list of over 30 remained.
“What the pandemic proved is that there is a high interest for golf and women are missing out on playing and being part of business opportunities that golf outings can provide,” she added.
Former Golf Pro and current Director of Sales and Marketing for Kempersports in Union County Greg Ward (husband of Jacqueline) was excited to support the WOWC and offer his services. Ward works with Kempersports, the company hired by West Orange Township to help run Rock Spring Golf Course. After getting the support of his employer, Ward put together a program for women to get over their fears, learn the basics and improve their swing.
“During the clinic I taught the students the golf swing fundamentals (grip, stance & posture). I did this by teaching them the fundamentals in a way that is easy to understand and can produce immediate results. I taught them the easiest way to return the club face to square which will produce straight, airborne shots. We had beginner ladies making some really good, repeatable golf swings,” explained Ward.
The group discussed golf outings, women in golf and general golf terms. A handout was sent via email with pictures, terms and local facilities. Ward and the event received such excellent feedback that many women signed up with local courses to continue golf swing education.
“I was very proud of the product that we produced,” noted Ward, “and it was my pleasure to teach the clinic and raise much-needed funds for some very worthy causes.”
“Since we did not use our rain dates for the first event we are considering adding a second event this year, and we hope the WOWC Ladies Golf Clinic will become one of our continuing fundraisers going forward,” concluded Jackie Ward.
To find out more about the West Orange Women’s Club, upcoming events and membership go to www.westorangewomensclub.org or email wowomensclub@gmail.com.