Way back in 1992, on the first Tuesday in April, 30 women gathered ‘round the starter’s stand, were warmly greeted by Doug Grove and teed off into history. 20 years later Doug Grove is still starting people off the first tee with a warm greeting and those 30 ladies have grown into the 250 strong Cordova Bay Ladies’ Club – by far the most active Ladies’ Club in Canada.

An anniversary like this is good reason to celebrate , so on Saturday May 12, 2012 Cordova Bay is proud to present a day solely for women. They are kicking the males out and inviting equipment suppliers, spas, shoe companies and many other manufacturers and local businesses of interest to women. They’re calling it the “Cordova Bay Women’s Golf Exposition” … a much better moniker than our original title “Golf Without Balls”.

In Cordova Bay’s short history they have hosted several prestigious women’s events. In 1994 Cordova Bay hosted the BC Junior Girl’s Championship won by future LPGA tour player A.J. Eathorne of Penticton. The Canadian Women’s Professional Tour stopped here in 2005 and our own Leila Chartrand came out on top winning the first place cheque, defeating, among others, former LPGA Tour players Gail Graham and Jennifer Wyatt. In 2007 the BC Senior Women held their championship on our fairways. The winner was Holly Horwood of Shaughnessy who defeated local legend Penny Baziuk by 2 shots. This year will mark their second time as host course to the Canadian University and College Championships, presented by Golf Canada. This event showcases the best male and female student golfers in Canada

The course is not only celebrating Cordova Bay’s Ladies. Victoria itself has a rich history of women’s golf. In 1905, the Ladies’ BC Championship took place at the Victoria Golf Club. Mr Flumerfelt, a member of the club, donated the first cup to the Ladies’ Championship. For the following ten years, the Championship was held at the same club. The first winner, Violet Pooley, a Victoria Golf Club member, returned to win the Championship another 8 times throughout her career.

We invite all women who golf to bring their sisters, mothers and daughters (golfers and non-golfers alike) to come walk amid the natural beauty of Cordova Bay Golf Course, a Certified Audubon Sanctuary. There will be three shotgun starts: 7:30, 12:00 and 4:30. Food, drink and merriment will be had by all. The Masters Group is a proud supporting sponsor of this 1st Annual Event and we look forward to seeing all of the “Chicks with Sticks” out on Saturday, May 12th !