What do you get when you combine almost 20,000 women and golf clubs? EWGA that's what! Executive Women's Golf Association is a national organization with 115 local chapter across the US, with Long Island being the largest having almost 700 members. EWGA gives women the opportunity to learn, play and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life. Clinics, golf outings, mentoring events, networking parties and competitive events for all levels of golfers are offered. The Sound Cup is the epitome of what EWGA is all about.
      The Sound Cup is a competitive two person match play event where the top 24 players of the Long Island Chapter challenge the top 24 players of the Fairfield, Connecticut Chapter. The winning team takes home the coveted "Sound Cup," aptly named for the east of Long Island Sound vs west of Long Island Sound rivalry. This year was the third year this event was held. The event alternates being hosted each year by the two teams. The first year, Long Island was victorious, the second year Fairfield brought the cup home, and this year Long Island again reigned.
      The weeks prior to the event had the excitement and anticipation building with the flurry of emails-practice rounds, pairings, rules, and transportation. Each day one or 2 more emails arrived in everyone's inbox-up to this point, Long Island won the first year, Fairfield won the 2nd year, so Long Island was determined to bring the cup back home.
      At the crack of dawn, the Long Island team, led by co-captains Patrice Franco and Janet Mallon, adorned in their matching team shirts and shorts, met at a convenient parking area, and boarded a luxury bus for the trip up to Tashua Knolls Golf Course in Trumbull, Ct. The team consisted of 24 of the lowest handicaps of the Long Island chapter. The trip up provided the team a chance to go over (and over!) match play rules and strategies, while having the chance to bond as a team. Everyone was excited, but butterflies were present, after all, this was a serious competition. Those who played a practice round shared their views on the course, and everyone tried to mentally prepare themselves for the competition that lay ahead.
      We arrived at Tashua Knolls, got our tee assignment pairings, practiced for a bit, and then, "let the competition begin!" As the first few teams came in, the results were close to even. As each team finished their round, everyone congregated at the 18th hole to watch the remaining teams finish. As more teams finished, the gallery at the 18th hole grew, and so did the margin of Long Island's winning points. Long Island clinched the cup before the last 2 teams came in, a formidable victory for Team Long Island!
     The dinner and inter chapter camaraderie that followed was a delightful end of a wonderful day. We all become fast friends. Long Island was presented with the silver cup affectionately known as "Cuppy", and each individual team member received a trophy. After the dinner wound down, Team Long Island again boarded the luxury bus for the trip home.
      Unlike the trip up, where everyone was filled with a lot of trepidation for the upcoming competition, the ride home found everyone in a celebratory mood. The stereo was cranked with classics of the 70's and 80's blasting, and the bus exploded with singing and dancing. The disco lights emanated colorful flashes in every direction. The atmosphere was similar to the Animal House scene when John Belushi was chanting "party, party, party!" American Pie was sang from start to finish, and the silver cup was passed from person to person. The entire busload was swaying back and forth with their arms in the air, while others danced in the aisles. Are these the executive women, running the top companies on Long Island?? You bet they are!! Everyone was sorry to see the two hour trip back to Long Island end, but a lot was won on this day. EWGA Long Island regained the cup, and friendships and memories were forged that will last a lifetime. The Sound Cup is resting well, and looks forward to residing in Long Island for many years to come. Go Team Long Island!!!