There weren’t many options for a girl from western Pennsylvania who was interested in sports in the 1950s. Kay Houghton’s choices were cheerleader or majorette.
Houghton’s world grew much larger as an adult. One Christmas morning 42 years ago, her husband placed a set of clubs under the tree and Houghton dove head-first into an exciting new game.
Golf was something Kay and Don could share, which the couple did for decades, and it helped introduce Kay to many friends at Lancaster Country Club.
The 18 Holers are a group of women who play a tournament every Wednesday from mid-April through early October. Those rounds are a chance to build camaraderie, be a little competitive and have some fun.
Once Houghton discovered the 18 Holers five or six years after receiving her clubs, those get-togethers became a beloved part of every spring and summer.
“I couldn’t wait to go to bed at night so I could get up in the morning and play golf,” Houghton said. “It was a very strong staple in my schedule.”
The 18 Holers worked as marshals for No. 18 at the US Women’s Open, which concluded Sunday. The assignment was a way to pay tribute to women who love the sport as the greatest in the world passed through.
Mary Garman-Miller and Nancy Kline opened and closed the crosswalk on 18 as the first set of players were about to complete their final round.
Garman-Miller has been part of the 18 Holers for more than five decades. This course is woven into her personal history. She scanned the grounds and reminisced about what the club was like way back when.
There was once a farmhouse on property that belonged to Kenny Dietrich, the course superintendent, and the Fourth of July party was so quaint it could be held at the pool.
Many of the trees that decorated the property have been trimmed or removed. One of them, an oak that sits a short chip shot from the 18th fairway, was planted by Garman-Miller and her family in memory of her late husband, Harry St. Clair Miller.
That one still stands. It watched many champions walk by from Thursday through Sunday.
Those Wednesday tournaments were a big deal for Garman-Miller and the other 18 Holers. It took hours to create the pairings before the age of computers. Once everyone completed their rounds, they stayed and had lunch.
“Some women would play bridge afterward,” Garman-Miller said. “The rest of us would dash home and take care of our children.”
The number of 18 Holers has dwindled through the years. From more than 100 to approximately 30-40 playing each week. Life is busier now. Women are working and don’t have time to dedicate to an entire round in the middle of the week.
Kline, who moved to the Lancaster area from Vermont about four years ago, has found companionship in her golden years within this sorority.
Cathy Belser served as hole captain for No. 18. She helped arrange the schedules for the volunteers.
“It’s very special to do it with all the women,” Belser said. “We’ve had a great bond getting to know each other a little bit better and representing Lancaster Country Club. It has been an honor.”
Judy Ware sat inside the ropes beyond the 18th green and marveled as golfers rolled their chip shots within a few feet of their destination.
Ware has met spectators from Harrisburg to Scotland. No. 18 is one of the most popular places to hang out in hopes of landing an autograph.
This is the second time Ware worked as a volunteer. The spectacle felt even grander than when the tournament was held here in 2015.
“There’s been a huge expansion,” Ware said. “I’m happy for what it does for women’s golf. It’s also something the community has embraced, which is nice to see.”
The formats for the 18 Holers tournaments are always changing. The member-guest, which is coming soon, is one of the most popular. There was a wine and putting day once. The putts grew a little more erratic as the day unfolded.
“But we were having fun,” Houghton said with a smile. “That’s what’s most important.”
Don Houghton died earlier this year. Kay has turned 80 and her golf game has declined. The social element of the 18 Holers is most important to her today.
Kay had a chance to watch the Women’s Open unfold on the course where she developed her love of the sport. It was a wonderful experience.
“It makes me very proud to be a member here,” she said. “Almost all of my friends are members. So much of my life revolves around the club.”
The 18 Holers gathered about 100 yards behind the last group and stood across the fairway as the final shots of this Women’s Open dropped into the cup.
It was another chance for them to get together. Until it’s time to play again.
