Belles of the Bellwether
There is something magical about a summer Friday evening.
The sun hangs a little lower in the sky, casting that beautiful golden light that seems to invite you to slow down and savor the moment. The birds are chirping, the breeze is gentle, and for a few hours, life feels a little lighter.
One Friday each month, I find myself pulling into Shepherd's Crook Golf Course with a smile on my face and a putter in hand. Because waiting there are thirty five other women who have become part of one of my favorite summer traditions.
Last year, two dear friends of mine, Robyn and Marilyn worked with the Golf Manager, Allen, who had the wonderful idea of starting a women's putting league. Their vision was simple. Gather women together, have some fun, enjoy good food, and build friendships. What they created turned out to be so much more.
They named us the Belles of the Bellwether, and what a fitting name it has become.
This is our second year, and every month I look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new friends. Thirty six women gather and are divided into groups of four. Each foursome plays nine holes before heading inside for what I can only describe as an event that feels like a party.
Each month has its own theme. This year's themes include Garden Party, Beach Bash, Queen of the Green, and Belle's Tailgate. Somehow, Robyn and Marilyn manage to add special touches to each gathering that make everyone feel welcomed and celebrated.
After our first nine holes, we head inside where a house made themed drink awaits us along with appetizers that are so delicious and plentiful they could easily pass for dinner. We gather around tables, laugh, share stories, and catch up before heading back out for another round.
Sometimes there may be more laughter than concentration.
If you've ever played the Bellwether putting green, you know it is no joke. There are hills, curves, and unexpected twists that can humble even the most confident putter. One minute you're celebrating a beautiful shot and the next you're wondering how your ball somehow ended up exactly where you didn't intend it to go.
But that's part of the fun.
Every month the teams are mixed up, which means you're constantly getting to know new women. I love that part. It would be easy to stay with the same group every time, but there is something special about sitting down with someone you've only met once or twice and discovering how much you have in common.
Some friendships begin over a shared laugh about a missed putt. Others begin over conversations about children, grandchildren, travel, retirement, or life's unexpected twists and turns.
What starts with a putter often ends with connection. And isn't that really what we are all looking for?
As women, especially as we grow older, it can become easy to retreat into our routines. We get comfortable with our calendars, our homes, and our familiar circles. But I have learned that community doesn't just happen.
It requires us to say yes. Yes to showing up. Yes to trying something new. Yes to introducing ourselves to someone we don't know. Yes to stepping outside our comfort zones.
What I love most about the Belles is that no one takes themselves too seriously. We're there to have fun. Sure, we'd all like to sink every putt and maybe even score that elusive hole in one, but mostly we're there for each other.
And let's not forget the live band playing on the patio during and after the rounds. There is something so joyful about starting and ending the evening with music drifting through the air while women linger a little longer, reluctant for the night to end.
The staff at Shepherd's Crook deserves so much credit too (a special shout to to Allen Parkes, Golf Operations Mgr. and Kara Kaneko, Food and Beverage Manager & Golf Operations Assistant Manager). The putting course is always in beautiful condition, and they go out of their way to make us feel welcomed and cared for. Their attention to detail makes the entire experience feel special.
I still haven't gotten my hole in one. Trust me, I'm waiting. So far, no luck. But honestly, I think I've already won. Because what I have found is so much better than a perfect shot.
I've found laughter.
I've found connection.
I've found community.
I've found the joy of gathering with women who simply enjoy being together.
And as I look around at all those smiling faces on a summer Friday evening, putters in hand and stories waiting to be shared, I can't help but feel grateful for two friends who brought the idea to life.
Because what Robyn and Marilyn created is about so much more than putting a little white ball into a hole. It is about friendship. It is about joy. It is about creating memories and celebrating life. And for me, that's the true magic behind being one of the Belles of the Bellwether.
xo, Sheryl
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