June is Women's Golf Month and we're celebrating by spotlighting a few of our very own members!
Say hello to Haylee Parks, our fourth and final Women’s Golf Month feature. Keep reading for her journey with golf!
What inspired you to take up golf and how long have you been playing?
My brother quit coming to the beach and driving us on the boat, so he told us girls to start getting tee times behind his group! Ashlyn Smith, Jessi Kate Batts, Laken Rouse, Marissa Parks, and I all started playing super ball until we could play our own ball while keeping up with the pace. We have all improved so much, and I’ve been playing for 2.5 years now!
How do you feel River Landing supports and encourages women's participation in golf?
I have never felt intimidated being a girl who walks into the Clubhouse. Everyone is so welcoming to the ladies who play! It was awesome to having the opportunity to play in the RLGALS invitational this year. Seeing so many ladies come together and play a sport they love at our home course was so much fun!
What do you enjoy most about being part of the River Landing golfing community?
River Landing was home for me growing up; my parents were one of the first to move into the community. Even though I grew up here, I never took advantage of the beautiful courses in my backyard. I've always thought about how much better I would have been if I'd started when I was younger (don’t we all)! However, I'm happy to still be a part of the community and finally take advantage of the amazing courses!
Which hole is the most challenging and/or most fun to play?
My least favorite hole is the long par 5, #17 Landing! My favorite hole to play is #18 River at sunset because of the view of the gorgeous Clubhouse!
Have you ever had a hole-in-one in River Landing? If so, which hole?
Nope! Ask Jeff Hale about this one 🤣
What is your favorite club/brand to play with?
My favorite club is my Callaway Paradym driver!
Say hello to Jan Zoesch, our third Women’s Golf Month feature. Jan is a member, resident, and committee member for the RLGAL's Swing for the Cure tournament. Keep reading for her journey with golf!
What inspired you to take up golf and how long have you been playing?
When I was young, my dad watched a lot of golf on TV. I loved it and often watched it with him. He was a good golfer and encouraged me to play. A few times each summer, we'd have a family outing. I loved the feel of the swing. If any girls had played, I would have played more. I didn't play a great deal until I was about 40, but even then, it was just for a few weeks during summers as teaching and family took up most of my time.
How do you feel River Landing supports and encourages women's participation in golf?
We have a very welcoming group of women at River Landing. All are encouraged to play golf with the "nine-hole" or the "eighteen-hole" ladies, as well as with ladies not involved in our association, the RLGALS. Private and group lessons are offered to everyone. Throughout the year, we have tournaments and playdays where everyone plays together. Both leagues have additional tournaments with ladies from other clubs. We host a very popular invitational in the spring and our charity event, The Swing for the Cure. Most of all, we're a really nice bunch of ladies who have fun together.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the River Landing golfing community?
It's just fun. We work on our golf games together, meet so many people from the RL community, and have a lot of laughs together. Through golf, we form friendships and links to community involvement. And we talk about absolutely anything and everything.
Which hole is the most challenging and/or most fun to play?
My favorite, prettiest, and most challenging hole to play is #9 Landing. #8 River keeps my attention as well. Actually, all holes manage to challenge me every day in different ways!!
Have you ever had a hole-in-one in River Landing? If so, which hole?
Yes! Two. My first was on hole #6 River in 2012 and hole #11 Landing in 2014. I think I'm ready for another!
What is your favorite club/brand to play with?
Right now I'm mainly playing with Titleist clubs. My favorite club, however, is my 13-year-old Diablo Edge 7 wood, which was my husband's.
Say hello to Brooke Hyman, our second Women’s Golf Month feature and also our Membership Coordinator here at River Landing! Her days are spent helping set up our new members, coordinating membership communications, and booking golf packages.
What inspired you to take up golf and how long have you been playing?
I started playing golf in 2020 with my group of friends here in River Landing. I also grew up with my dad playing golf, so I wanted to also start playing to be able to golf with him. I started lessons here about a year and a half ago as well.
How do you feel River Landing supports and encourages women's participation in golf?
River Landing provides plenty of opportunities for women to enjoy golf whether it's through the many events that the RLGALS hosts like Swing for the Cure or the annual Invitational, to the many different tournaments that RL hosts throughout the year. There's always something fun to do around here!
What do you enjoy most about being part of the River Landing golfing community?
The Golf Shop, as they are so helpful and patient. They have been instrumental in helping me improve my golf game through my lessons with Jeff. Plus the courses here are some of the best I've ever played!
Which hole is the most challenging and/or most fun to play?
The most challenging for me is number 8 on the River Course. The most fun is number 18 River because I love trying to hit over the pond and you can't beat the view of the waterfall and the Clubhouse.
Have you ever had a hole-in-one in River Landing? If so, which hole?
I haven't but hope to one day!
What is your favorite club/brand to play with?
My favorite club is probably my 6 iron. I don't have a favorite brand yet but I'm sure that'll develop the more I play.
