The Women’s Congressional Golf Association recognized its 25-year anniversary with a celebration in the Cannon House Office Building on April 11, 2024.
The event included remarks from Erynn Hook, WCGA president; co-founder Tamara Somerville; Members of Congress; past WCGA presidents Ruth Ravitz Smith and Sally Schaeffer, and special guests from First Tee and Twiga Golf.
Thank you to our WCGA Supporters:
Champions
Uncorked Advocates
Ann Warner LLC
Caddies
BMW | Mini
Convention Sports & Entertainment Group
Kathleen Hardy
KO Communication
Fans
Katherine Bergren
Gena Zak
Thank You to our Honorary Co-Chairs:
Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09)
Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01)
Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05)
Congresswoman Carol D. Miller (WV-01)
Over the past 25 years, WCGA has encouraged hundreds of women to golf, and it has brought together women of all political backgrounds on and off the course, forging lifelong relationships,” says Hook. “Groups like WCGA encourage conversations and understanding.”
In 1999, the Women's Congressional Golf Association, known as WCGA, was formed in Washington D.C. by bipartisan Senate Staffers Sandra S. King and Tamara Somerville. WCGA is a non-partisan membership organization that fosters fellowship and promotes golf opportunities among women who are current or former congressional staffers. WCGA members also aspire to enhance athletic opportunities for all girls and women through charitable events and community involvement.
Because of demand, the organization expanded its membership to include current and past government relations professionals, consultants, and those in other government agencies.
WCGA organizes beginning golf clinics, driving range socials, May-July Sunday play, etiquette clinics, weekend golf outings throughout the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area, and golf trips in the U.S. and abroad, such as Scotland and Ireland. WCGA also organizes weekend trips outside of the DMV region and in the past has visited Charlottesville, Hershey, Greenbrier, and Pawley’s Island, SC. Members encourage women of all golf levels and abilities to get out on the course and learn more about the game.
Said co-founder Tamara Somerville, who was staff director of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, in 2001, “The Women’s Congressional Golf Association is where Washington women can get their golf game started and honed, associate with fellow golfers, and have an all-around great time in pursuit of whacking little dimpled balls hundreds of yards to, hopefully, roll into absurdly small holes cut into manicured patches of grass. By comparison, balancing the federal budget is a piece of cake.”
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, representing Michigan's 6th Congressional District stopped by the event to show her support.
Congresswoman Dingell is pictured here with WCGA President Sally Schaeffer (2013-2019) and WCGA President Erynn Hook (2021 - Current)
Congressman Richard Hudson, representing North Carolina's 9th Congressional District - which includes Pinehurst - stopped by with his Chief of Staff Jeff to show his support.
Congressman Hudson is pictured here with WCGA Co-Founder Tamara Somerville (1999) and WCGA President Erynn Hook (2021-Current)
Congresswoman Nancy Mace, representing South Carolina's 1st Congressional District - and Co-Chair of the Golf Caucus - provided remarks commemorating WCGA's 25th anniversary.
Top Row (from left to right): Tamara Somerville, co-founder offers remarks, WCGA Presidents Sally Schaeffer (2013-2019) and Dana Richie (2020), Muthoni Mucili of Twiga Golf offers remarks on an upcoming Africa Golf/Safari trip
Middle Row (from left to right): Board Member Apiyo Oloya, Almay Alday of First Tee and WCGA President Erynn Hook (2019-Current)
Bottom Row (from left to right): Desserts, Guests Mingling, WCGA President Ruth Shavitz Smith (early 2000s) provides remarks
Current and Former Leadership pose together for a photo to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Women's Congressional Golf Association