SHE’S GOT GAME - Women’s golf group, SWING, celebrates 15 years

Mary Porter of Whitman and Karen Christoforo of Rockland practice at River Bend Golf Course in Bridgewater. (GREG DERR/The Patriot Ledger)

By LAUREN SILVA
For The Patriot Ledger
Long before women’s professional golfer Annika Sorenstam took on the men of the PGA tour, a group of South Shore women hit the links when it was not considered hip for women to golf.

Mary Porter, 56, of Whitman, remembers having her son call golf courses to book tee times in the 1980s. Clubs were not as receptive to women golfers as they were to men, she said.

So in 1991, Porter founded SWING, a women-only non-competitive golf organization, as somewhat of a sanctuary for players who - like her - felt overwhelmed and intimidated. SWING stands for Sporting Women’s Invitational Golf.

‘‘When the group started, it was more difficult for women to find other women to play with, and SWING met that need,’’ Porter said. ‘‘It introduced women to other women who play golf, and it was great in opening the eyes of golf courses and businesses that see that value of women playing.’’

SWING’s first event was held 15 years ago at Heritage Hill Country Club in Lakeville with 28 of her friends. The group grew by word of mouth to more than 80. Later that summer, Porter organized four other events for a membership of 120 women. They paid $20 a year plus greens fees. Porter reserved tee times and arranged foursomes according to ability. All members had to do was show up and swing. Fifteen years later, the format remains the same, except the yearly membership has increased to $75 a year and $65 for ages 55 and up.

More than 1,150 women - from all over New England -have participated in SWING over the past 15 years. So popular was the group that in 1995 Porter started Tee Time, a New England women’s golf magazine.

And while attitudes toward women golfers have changed since the group’s inception, SWING remains relevant. To beginners, it offers a relaxed entrance into a sometimes stressful and often daunting sport. Porter and Karen Christoforo, the Massachusetts president of the group, make sure to introduce newbies around and pair them with veterans - a setup that players say puts them at ease.

‘‘I was scared half to death,’’ said Susan Hafner, 54, of Douglas, of attending her first event. ‘‘I’d never played with a group before, and my skills weren’t that good yet. But people introduced me to other golfers, and as we went along I realized this is a great way to make friends.’’
Christoforo, 44, of Rockland, also books the tee times for the group. This year, 18 events were held on weekends from May through September. All golfers need to do is log on to a members-only Web site to find their playing partners, tee times and other details. Members even get directions, course restrictions and course descriptions.

For experienced players, SWING offers a break from having to deal with logistics while allowing them to experience courses they would never have tried. Christoforo makes a point to never repeat a course in a season and adds new ones each year.

Sharon’s Marilyn Gelb, 50, grew up playing but found it hard to find partners once she left her country club. She said SWING was a perfect fit.

‘‘It’s all done for me,’’ said Gelb, who attended her first event at Acushnet River Valley Golf Course on July 8. ‘‘Otherwise, I wouldn’t have anyone to play with. All the girls I know are at the country club, and they’re not going to go outside (it), because that’s what they’re paying for.’’

Members said they enjoy spending the day with women who share an appreciation for the greens.

‘‘It’s just a great time. It’s the camaraderie of getting out with people who enjoy the game as much as you,’’ Porter said. ‘‘A lot of good friendships are born.’’

Copyright 2006 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Tuesday, August 29, 2006