My “E” was Excite. I was excited to attend my first Golfapoolza and it did not disappoint. It was a great opportunity to know more about the national message to every EWGA member. It was exciting to attend leadership sessions to find ways to help run the chapter better and find out from other chapters what we can learn from their Best Practices which could help us become a more efficient organization and service our members better.

It was exciting to hear Key Note speaker Dan Thurmon speech. It’s amazing to watch someone talk, juggle on a tall uni-cycle and not miss a beat. Amazing! The Breaker Session speakers Dr. Dana Clark, Dr. Victoria Boyd and the enthusiastic, Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk got us jubilated for the coming year. And for our golf game, Stina Steinberg opened our eyes to the possibility of the power and confidence to buy new equipment. She gave us insight on how to be informed and smart and not fall into trapping of the golf Salesman.

We were excited to see Lorna Ocha accept her 2012 EWGA Leadership Award. She is an inspiration for all her charity work and the support of education in the U.S. and in her native Mexico. What a wonderful example to live by. Humble with a great sense of humor and a pretty good golfer.

I was excited to meet other volunteer leaders from other chapter and talk about their Best Practice and share information on what works and doesn’t work. Somewhere along the way you meet new friends that you will be happy to see at every national event.

Oh the parties!! We had an event every night. We had a Welcome Reception which hosted a Marketplace for many of our National Sponsors. Our very own Tracey Blake was there with her Tracey Lynn Golf Clothes. What would a conference in Las Vegas be without an Elvis sighting? We had a Casino Night with Elvis and needless to say the picture says a 1000 words! What happenings in Las Vegas…ahhh you know the rest. The awards dinner was inspiring. The women of EWGA are all impressive as they work tirelessly in spreading the message about golf and at the same time help the community they live in.

Last but not least, what would a EWGA Golfapoolza be without golf? We played some of the premier golf courses in southwest Las Vegas. We played TCP Las Vegas, Angel Park Mountain and Palm course, The Bear’s Best, Badlands and Painted Dessert. Awesome golfing and wonderful weather.

It was a jam packed week, but all worth the hectic pace. This is only a summary of our week at Golfapoolza. Feel free to ssk myself, Kate Connor, Tracey Blake, Heidi Erdi, Sherri Fields, Molly Hagan and Melanie Lunsford about their experience. Ask them What’s their “E”?

We don’t yet know where Golfapoolza will be next year, but I hope everybody gets a chance to go. Go for the whole experience or go for the fun. Everybody is welcome.

-Linda Yamaguchi