Publications & Sites 
Winnetka Women’s Golf Club celebrates 75 years
Left, Carolyn Weinstein, a 1942 New Trier High School graduate, celebrates 50 years of Winnetka Women's Golf Club membership with a hug from Maggie Miller. Karie Angell Luc~for Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: August 27, 2012 6:14AM
WINNETKA — Carolyn Weinstein, a 1942 New Trier High School graduate, enjoyed her luncheon platter at a July 17 Winnetka Golf Club luncheon at the Paddle Shack, but found conversation to be equally satisfying.
Weinstein, a 50-year member of the Winnetka Women’s Golf Club, who was honored for her half century of club fellowship, couldn’t thank her peers enough for a tree planted in her honor on the club’s third hole.
“Usually you have to die first,” she joked.
“But I didn’t have to die first,” said Weinstein, who was raised in Wilmette and is the great grandmother of one child, Alexa, of Chicago, who will be one July 30.
Weinstein has two children, Amy Barrow, a librarian in Wilmette and John Weinstein of Northbrook.
With seven grandchildren plus the friendship of 44 fellow WWGC members, Weinstein counts her blessings.
“I was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1924,” Weinstein announced.
“She (Weinstein’s mother) never made up for losing that (Thanksgiving) dinner,” she added, with a smile.
“I’m thankful for all of my family and friends, they’re all so nice…
“That’s why we (with her husband Jack who passed in 1984) never left to go someplace else.”
Weinstein looked at a cell phone photograph snapped by a well-wisher.
The snapshot, of a tree planted in Weinstein’s honor, was decorated on this special golf outing day, which also recognized the club’s 75th anniversary.
Weinstein’s tree, decked out in pink ribbons and bows, bloomed in full splendor on the course’s sun-drenched third hole.
Weinstein, who did not play the 18 holes of golf in 100-degree heat, joined the club in 1962.
“Oh, my golf game?” she said.
Weinstein paused to find the right words.
“It’s not very good…I can hit the ball but it doesn’t go very far…”
But Weinstein sure can land a hole-in-one with baking.
“She’s a doll, there’s no better,” said a beaming Maggie Miller of Northfield, also a 12-year WWGC member. “And she’s a good cook too.”
Weinstein seemed taken with Miller’s compliment, now more food for thought as luncheon guests animatedly chatted about the woman of the hour.
“She (Weinstein) makes really good cookies, which we have been out of for weeks,” lamented Miller, about a half hour before dessert was served.
What kind of cookies?
“Oatmeal raisin, cranberry coconut cookies,” said Weinstein, proudly.
Weinstein is sweet on Red Maple trees too.
“I’ve always wanted a Red Maple and now I’ve got one,” Weinstein said.
“Oh my gosh…it’s the most beautiful tree…”
Weinstein, who lives in a local condominium, never had a Red Maple in any of her residential yards all the years she lived on the North Shore.
“We wanted to do something to honor her 50 years,” said Chris Falasco, WWGC board president, who asked Weinstein which tree species she preferred.
“And rather than give her a gift,” continued Falasco, “this (golf course planting) was her gift.
“And the plaque is coming to honor her 50 years.”
Said Lolly Dominski, a 22-year Winnetka resident and second year WWGC club member (also in charge of publicity): “Carolyn is an inspiration to all of us, we couldn’t be more thrilled than to be able to honor her with a tree on the course that she and all of us love so much.”
Weinstein will be officially honored Aug. 7 with another Tuesday golf outing and luncheon hosted in a member’s home.
No doubt, what better way to honor the 75th WWGC anniversary, than by playing golf with outstanding women who care.
“That’s a lot of years and I think it’s fantastic,” said Cortney Miller, Winnetka Golf Club head golf professional. “The fact they’ve sustained an organization for 75 years, that’s just fantastic.
“I think (golf) is inclusive for everybody because it’s set up for everybody to enjoy,” Miller added, right after the shotgun start took place that Tuesday morning.
“In golf, the course is set up for any level of player.
“I think that’s why you see so many people play in the sport for a lifetime, most sports typically have a cap of them, like football, baseball and soccer.
“And that’s why it (golf) is open to everybody,” concluded Miller.
Said WWGC member Nancy Seabury of Northfield: “What better way to honor our legacy than by coming out to golf today in the heat.
“The heat doesn’t matter to us, we’re tough,” Seabury laughed.
WWGC fellowship welcomes new members.
“We really have a good time,” said Judy Gurley, of Winnetka.
“And anybody who wants to play golf, I encourage anybody to come and give it a try, it’s a very welcoming group.”
To contact the WWGC, visit http://www.wwgconline.com/.
