Dear SGA Friends,

We wish for you the happiest of holiday seasons. Thank you for being a part of Senior Golfers of America. We sincerely hope to see each of you during 2023, making more memories to cherish.

All the best,

Cynthia, Catherine & SGA

SGA Christmas at the Cloister 2022
December 5, 6, 7, 8, 2022
The Cloister • The Lodge
Seaside • Plantation • Retreat

Sea Island, Georgia

Winners Tom Coleman, Michele Wallace, Mary Bailey, and Terry Barker enjoy the absolutely perfect weather at The Cloister at Sea Island.

The hundreds-year-old Avenue of Oaks leads to The Lodge at Sea Island.

Michele, Bill & Rosalie

Henry, Terry & Tom

Loretta, Jean, Kaye, & Angie

SGA Celebrates again at Sea Island

The Senior Golfers first held its Christmas event at the magical Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia, in 1976. This tournament is held in honor of SGA founder Bob Swanson, whose very favorite place to visit was The Cloister. The weather for this year's event was "absolutely perfect," and the festive holiday atmosphere at The Cloister and The Lodge, along with the stunning natural beauty of the golf courses, was even better than ever.

The event began with a warm welcoming reception and dinner at The Lodge's Colt & Alison, overlooking the Cloister's Seaside Course. SGA newcomers Mary Bailey, Angie & Henry McLemore, and Rosalie Wisotzki were introduced, and details were given out for the week's events.

After the three days of golf, Irving, Texas, player Michele Wallace was winner for the ladies at Sea Island. "This week reminded me of why I love golf," said Michele. "My first day was great, but I couldn't wait for my second day to be over. And then, the third day was a dream. I love Sea Island -- it's the most beautiful place in the world. Thanks, everyone, and I hope to be with you here again next Christmas."

Winner for the men was SGA veteran Terry Barker, golfer and delighter, who lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. "I always enjoy the SGA trips," said Terry. "We all need to remember how truly blessed we are to be here in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Kaye and I love the people we meet with SGA. I encourage everyone to tell your friends to join us in Senior Golfers of America, especially next December at The Cloister -- our favorite."

Low Net winners were Mary Bailey and Tom Coleman. Winning Best Ball team was Mary Bailey, Tom Coleman, Dulany Hall, and Rosalie Wisotzki. Close to pin winners were Terry Barker, Tom Coleman, and Michele Wallace. Putting winners were Kaye and Terry Barker.

The Senior Golfers will start the Christmas Season at Sea Island in December 2023. Plan to be there!

The bagpiper signals the end to another wonderful day.

Welcome, Bill Cembor, to the SGA Hall of Fame

The magical week at Sea Island ended with the induction of SGA Veteran Bill Cembor, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, into the SGA Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was established in 1995, when Cynthia Powell surprised her dad, Bob Swanson, at The Cloister. For some time setting up a Hall of Fame had been discussed, and finally, Cynthia decided to take action and tap her dad as the first inductee.

Hall of Fame members are nominated and voted on by those currently in the Hall of Fame. Members must be serious about upholding the traditions of golf, and must be friendly and welcoming to new and to longtime SGA tournament participants. They must speak highly of the organization and of fellow SGA members at all times.

Congratulations to SGA’s 2022 Hall of Fame inductee Bill Cembor! Bill was welcomed by 2012 Hall of Fame inductee Bill Suehs, and by Jean Harrington, whose husband Dick was inducted in 2013.

"It has been 12 years since I joined SGA," said Bill Cembor. "I lost my wife, Janet, 15 years ago to a rare type of cancer. Paul & Sue Rudder, SGA members who were members of my Sunday School class, invited me to join SGA. At the first event I attended, something in my head and my heart said, 'This is where I belong.'

"In all these 12 years and 64 SGA events, I have thoroughly enjoyed the places we've played, and the friends I've made. I especially thank Jean Harrington, and Janie Risley and Bill Suehs who flew from Texas here to Sea Island especially to celebrate with me, and I send greetings to, and wish that Carol Preston could have been here with us. It's great to see longtime friends Loretta & Ted Thranhardt, and all of you here with the Senior Golfers of America. I am looking forward to many more SGA events. Thank you, everyone."

Jean, Ted, Loretta, Bill, Janie & Bill

Millie, Loretta, Michele, Janie, Catherine & Jean celebrate with Bill

Sea Island & Gingerbread -

A Christmas Tradition

Gingerbread constructions can be found as far back as ancient Greece and even further in China, but for the Europeans and North America, the practice of making gingerbread houses originates in Germany during the 1800’s. As gingerbread was already used to make different forms of art, German bakers took this to the next step, basing their creation on a very popular fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm, “Hansel and Gretel,” in which two children are abandoned in a forest before discovering an edible house made of bread and sugar. Bakers took descriptions of this house from the story and began approximating their own take on a gingerbread house. This would be most popular during the Christmas season, as it was commonplace tradition to consume ginger snap cookies around this time as well.

The gingerbread house tradition at Sea Island has evolved as well, from whimsical tabletop houses to today's walk-in sandcastle. The exterior features a beach, turrets, shell and starfish decorations, all made of flour and sugar. Cross the plank into the interior, and be transported to an underwater kingdom, complete with sound effects. Scratch-off cards are available to check off all the sealife inside, and a donation is made to the Sea Island Legacy Fund, which helps Sea Island team members with healthcare and emergency expenses, for each card turned in.

What will the 2023 Gingerbread House theme be? Experience it with the Senior Golfers next year!