Share this:

SGA | Great golf, great people, great memories

Renew Your Membership for 2025! Thank you!

SGA News From

Stonewall Resort

Arnold Palmer Signature Course

Roanoke, West Virginia • August 2024

The wild and wonderful Arnold Palmer course

After golf, grab a cone at the world's prettiest Dairy Queen...

Congratulations to Wayne, Linda, Jean & Bill!

SGA Delights in the Wild and Wonderful

The Senior Golfers tried a new spot to visit -- Stonewall Resort and the Arnold Palmer Signature Course in the Stonewall State Park of West Virginia. The trip happened to take place as much of the United States was recording August temperatures in the 90s and higher. The cool weather, along with the stunning natural beauty of the mountain golf course, was absolutely wonderful.

The event began with drinks and dinner overlooking scenic Lake Stonewall. SGA Hall of Fame members Janie Risley and Bill Suehs were recognized. Special guest Sharon Saunders, SGA's former Office Manager for 29 years, and her husband Bill, both native West Virginians, were introduced, and details were given for the week's events.

After the three cool and pleasant days of golf, SGA 2023 Homecoming winner Wayne Dadetto was winner at gross for the men. "Playing this course the second day helped us know where to hit the shot and how far. I enjoyed playing with Jean, Janie and Bill who made the day very enjoyable and relaxing. Pam and I have had a great week here in West Virginia."

Lady winner was "The SGA Judge," Jean Spradling. "It has been a treat to escape the heat of Houston here in the mountains," said Jean. "It is beautiful here, but then, I love everywhere I have been with the Senior Golfers. Thanks, everyone, and I will see you next month at Jefferson Landing."

Low Net winners were Bill Suehs and Linda Their. Close to pin winners were Joanne Evans, Jean Spradling, Bill Suehs, and Jay Thier. Best Ball of Team winners were Joanne Evans, Gary Claus, Jo Ann Claus, and Bill Suehs. Two Best Balls Team Plus winners were Gary Claus, Joanne Evans, Karen Otis, Janie Risley, and Bill Suehs. Putting winners were Joanne Evans, Bill Saunders, Jean Spradling, and Jay Thier. "Especially Bold" award went to Pam Dadetto. Congratulations to all!

Bill, Jean, Jo Ann & Jay

Joanne, Bill, Janie, Gary & Karen

Pam, Sharon & the Glass Mansion

West Virginia Handcrafts & Glass

The handcraft tradition in West Virginia, an integral part of the mountain culture, is rooted in history and necessity. The state’s arts and crafts tradition began when the Appalachian region was settled in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

Practical craft skills brought over the mountains by Appalachia’s immigrants flourished through necessity. Practically everything the early settlers had was made with their hands. Craftsmanship was a strong factor in the work of these early citizens of Western Virginia, while practicality was uppermost in the makers’ minds.

No doubt in some places handcrafts have been practiced without interruption since their arrival in the New World, but by 1890 many of the old ways were abandoned in much of America. However, in West Virginia, these skills persisted as part of daily life because of the relative isolation of the region. The glass manufacturing industry went hand-in-hand with this craftsmanship.

In the 1960s, another wave of immigrants to West Virginia, representing the counterculture back-to-the-land movement, helped to rescue many endangered crafts and old ways of living. These were young people, who came to West Virginia seeking affordable land and a simpler lifestyle. By becoming students of the Appalachian culture, they helped to save much of its handcraft tradition from extinction.