2013 — Golfing at Southern Comfort
After twenty-three years I can now cross the Southern Comfort Conference off my bucket list. That doesn’t mean that every year I’ve tried to go to Southern Comfort but I’ve always wanted to go. Nor does it mean that this year’s visit will be my last. The SCC has a high rate of attendees that return year after year.
What can I write about SCC that hasn’t been written before? It is one of the best attended TG events with a very full calendar of workshops and parties. It is held in a large and very open hotel where the staff meet the attendees with smiles and good service. Atlanta, the host city, is Atlanta — open and welcoming both in the stores, the clubs and restaurants. SCC is noted for helping many of their first-time attendees take big steps out in to the public. You all know this. What you may not know is about one of SCC’s smaller events where in broad daylight some SCC participants jump right into the sometimes macho world of golf. Let me tell you about that day and not just because my golf partner and I ended up winning a prize.
The Southern Comfort Conference runs a very full program so adding an event to the program is like trying to add a sport to the Olympics. It’s tough to find the time. However four years ago in response to some interest the SCC added a golf day. This year the golf took place on Thursday. Eleven players signed up to play at North Fulton Golf Course, one of Atlanta’s fine municipal courses. Most of the signees were regular golfers. Not many played regularly en femme. Most, like Leah Valdes and I, played as such from time to time.
Getting the rules before setting out.
After a short shuttle to the course we were welcomed by the course staff and about half the group were outfitted with rental clubs. We were given lunch tickets and then had a chance to practice our putting. It was becoming a hot day so I took time to add paper towels under my wig and in my bra. They were to prove effective in minimizing embarrassing sweat drip — you know, the kind Phil Mickelson gets under his nipples.
Just before the first group prepared to tee off event leader Danielle Beling explained the tournament rules -– teams of two competing in “best ball.” Play would be speeded up by allowing free drops whenever a ball went in to the very thick woods along the course. They said it was to speed up play but I suspect it was to keep our wigs from being snagged on branches.
Then we were off! I liked the course but my partner, Denise, a post-op TS, used to playing at a country club, was not too impressed. North Fulton is not a country club but no matter this event was more about the femme experience than the golf experience. The game proceeded and one thing became painfully obvious to me -– my right foot. I had injured the big toe in a running accident. As the round progressed it became very painful to put weight on that foot. Weight transfer in my swing was impossible. As a result my shots were straying to the left, right and nowhere. It was hard to watch Danielle, Cathy and Denise play so well and me so poorly.
Fore!
Halfway through the round the groups stopped for the complimentary lunch at the club house. That is where I decided to pack it in. After washing up I was able to relax in the cool of the air conditioned lounge while the rest of the girls played on. It was nice to sit at a table in the lounge sipping a cool one and reading golf magazines while other golfers came and went not seeming to pay any mind to this unknown person in their midst. At one point one of the staff, concerned that I wasn’t playing, came over to ask if I was alright and if I needed anything. I was tempted to express my desire to squeeze his buns of steel but I resisted. However that is why I liked the course. The staff didn’t have to but they did their best to make our group feel welcome.
Eventually the other girls came in. Great, I thought, we will have some chat, maybe a cold one or two and then head back to the conference. No such luck; that is what would have happened in the old days. The way of the 21st Century is that as soon as most of the girls could they were pulling out their iPods, Blackberries or some other device and giving their thumbs a good workout. Ech! I hate that but maybe that’s because coming from Canada I was not eager to incur a lot of roaming charges just to say hi to anybody.
Soon after the rounds were finished and Danielle had tabulated the scores we returned to the Crowne Plaza, the conference and much needed showers. (I also iced my foot.)
So would I recommend golfing at SCC? Yes, if you like golf and like wearing nice feminine golf outfits you will fit right in. Perhaps other sports or special interest outings could be added to the SCC program. Danielle suggested going bowling. Perhaps an evening of bridge would allow a number of attendees to do one of their boy passions in a girl mode. The possibilities are endless. It only takes an interested person to suggest an activity to the SCC Board. Then if she is willing to take charge the event can happen.
Oh yes, the winners were…. My prize? Thanks to my inept play my partner Denise and I earned a prize often called “Most Honest Golfer.”
Category: Transgender Community News
About the Author (Author Profile)
Canadian writer Linda Jensen is a long time contributor to TGForum. Before the days of the Internet Linda started her writing with the Transvestian newspaper. Her writing ranges from factual accounts of her adventures to fiction although frankly sometimes her real life adventures are stranger than the fiction. Linda is married to a loving partner who upon learning about Linda said, "she was part of you before I met you. Although I didn't know it she was part of the package I fell in love with. I don't want to mess up that package." "Does it get any better than that?" asks Linda.Subscribe
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