Annelle Henderson Bulechek
LAKE CHARLES, LA - Annelle Henderson Bulechek, 83, died January 4,2004, in a local hospital. Born in Amarillo, Texas, Mrs. Bulechek grew up in Lake Charles and moved to Shreveport in 1968, where she resided until she returned to Lake Charles in 2001. She was a 1936 graduate of Lake Charles High School. She was a member of The Ninety-Nines, lnc., an international organization of women pilots, and she flew during World War II as a member of the Women Air Service Pilots (WASP). She was a member of the W B. Williamson Post No. 1, the U.S Golf Association, and served on the Mayor's Armed Forces Commission. She was an avid golfer, winning numerous awards for her skill. Mrs. Bulechek marketed advertising for Mullers, Love's, The Fashion and the Flower Shop. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Russell Robert Bulechek of Lake Charles; one daughter, Mrs. Ed (Barbara) Reiser of Lake Charles, one granddaughter, Rebecca Ann ("Becky") Reiser of Nashville, Tennessee; and one grandson, Robert Russell Reiser, also of Lake Charles. Mrs. Bulechek was preceded in death by her father, James Lester Henderson, her mother, Pearl Dees Henderson, her brother, James D. Henderson, and her sister, Margaret Henderson Scott. At the deceased's request, there will be no funeral or memorial services. Her remains will be donated to the L.S.U. School of Medicine in New Orleans. Memorial donations may be made to Wings Across America, Baylor University, P. O. Box 97160, Waco, TX 76798-7160, or to the charity of their choice. Johnson Funeral Home 337-478-8687
---------------------------------------
Local club was established in 1919.
By MARY JIMENEZ The Times
What is a World War II pilot doing standing midway on the steep slope before the 12th hole at Querbes Golf Course?
Just trying to hit her ball out of the hazard onto the green.
Annelle Bulechek scowls a little at the shot, and gingerly walks down the hill after taking a couple of puffs of her cigarette. She jokingly curses a bit, before turning to one of her Broadmoor Woman Golf Association (BWGA) playing partners.
"Come on, you're going to have to pull me back up," said the feisty 78-year-old Bulechek to former professional baseball player Barbara Payne.
It's Celebration of Women's Week, and one of the more distinguished organizations in Shreveport is the BWGA, established in 1919 by the Great Dane of Golf, Jeannette Williams. It is still one of the most influential clubs in the city.
It's not only the caliber of players - Payne is the reigning city champion, and has won the title nine times - but the women behind the club's name. They're strong, gutsy and have accomplished the extraordinary in their lives.
Tina Essler, the current BWGA president, won't hesitate to tell you about the accomplishments of the members of the association.
"They're quite a strong group of women, not only in golf, but in life," said Essler, 38, one of the youngest of the 46 members of the club.
Bulechek was a WASP (Woman Air Force Service Pilot). One of the first few woman pilots, who flew every plane in the inventory during WWII.
"We were the best kept secret of the war," said Bulechek, who plays an average three times a week. Her sense of humor and "don't tell me I can't do it" attitude are par for the course.
Payne's history is equally unique.
In high school, Payne went to see the All-American Girls Professional Baseball league, AAGPBL, when it came through Shreveport. After the game there was an open tryout. Payne who then played as an infielder in softball, walked down from the bleachers where she sat with her father, and showed them what she could do with a hard ball.
Payne, a shortstop and a pitcher, went on to play in the AAGPBL for two years. The story of the league was taken to the movie A League of Their Own, which starred Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna.
Although Essler plays with Bulechek and Payne, her admiration for the game was influenced by Barbara Fay White, the most accomplished woman golfer to come from this area, and largely tied to the Broadmoor group through her father, Ned White. White has never played with the BWGA, never played against Bulechek or Payne, and Essler only just recently met her since her move to Shreveport. But Essler's admiration for White was apparent in their first meeting.
"I've been waiting four years to meet you," said Essler as they were introduced.
From age 7 playing in city tournaments to state championships to Curtis Cup and world tours, White's pictures are scattered throughout the pages of the BWGA scrapbooks, displayed proudly as one of their own.
But it was Ned White, that kept bringing Barbara Fay back to Querbes. He was a pro at Querbes from after World War II until his death in 1970. As a child Barbara Fay honed her skills as she listened to her father give lessons. Later in her accomplished years she would return to Querbes; playing mostly men, but would sometimes help, and always lend her support to the women in the league.
White never stops giving credit to her father, whom she says was the strength behind every woman and junior program in the city while he was alive. But some 25 years after her most famed years, it is White's accomplishments that motivate young golfers, like Essler.
The BWGA is smaller now. The league acts as a pump; a lot of women pass through on their way to private clubs. But the heart of women's golf in the city can still be felt in the locker room at Querbes Golf Course.
And for Essler, she couldn't have found a better place to be.
"To compete at this level of seriousness is an adrenaline rush. If you can get on the number-one tee box, and you're up against a Barbara Payne - there's nothing like it in my book," Essler said. "I'm reaping the benefits of all this wisdom."
---------------------------------------
From a memorial Web site:
About Officer's Training School: "—the advanced Officers Training Course—training school in Orlando, Florida, which was the glamour base of the world. It was gorgeous, and we had all the foreign officers, all the free French, all the British officers were there for all this advanced administrative hush-hush training—radar secret training. Everything was secret, secret. And the Australians. We had them everywhere—Russians, everybody was there. And I just was so thrilled I was picked to go down to this school. And I got down there and nobody knew what you were, of course, you were back to, ‘What are you-- a flight nurse?' ‘No, I'm a pilot'.
Anyway, first thing I did was meet this darling little British Intelligence Officer. He had a little mustache, and he was a ‘cutie'. He said, ‘Oh, a WASP?' I said, ‘Yes'. And so he said, ‘Well, can I take you to dinner?' So we went into the officers' mess, and we were sitting there with all these different nationalities...and I was in my little uniform, and I was just adorable. Of course, we were all adorable at 23 years old, but I was especially adorable that day. And I was also especially capable. And we sat around the table, and they wanted to know what I did. And I told them. And I said, (actually, I exaggerated. There's just no getting away from it because when I ended up with my story, it sounded like I had my life in my hands, four to eight hours every day, you know, just fighting the war. It was very, very exciting.) And this officer kept punching me a little.
Down at the end of the table was the worst-looking woman I've ever seen in green fatigues. She had a bowl haircut—just like this. No make-up. Awful looking thing--just beating herself like this—by herself down at the other end of the table. And I got cuter by the minute by comparison. My story got a little louder, by comparison. And finally she got up, and she walked out. And I said, ‘Who in the world was the ‘slob' at the other end of the table?' And they said, ‘That was Olga (whatever her name was I can't pronounce). She was the Russian ‘ace' that had seven German planes to her credit. And I said, ‘Oh h___, I hope she doesn't speak English'. That was the only thing I could think of to say. But here I am, and she has German (they were fighter pilots, you know), seven German planes to her credit. So that is my most embarrassing moment of my lifetime. That's where I really made an ‘ass' of myself. OK. That was Officers' Training School."
LAKE CHARLES, LA - Annelle Henderson Bulechek, 83, died January 4,2004, in a local hospital. Born in Amarillo, Texas, Mrs. Bulechek grew up in Lake Charles and moved to Shreveport in 1968, where she resided until she returned to Lake Charles in 2001. She was a 1936 graduate of Lake Charles High School. She was a member of The Ninety-Nines, lnc., an international organization of women pilots, and she flew during World War II as a member of the Women Air Service Pilots (WASP). She was a member of the W B. Williamson Post No. 1, the U.S Golf Association, and served on the Mayor's Armed Forces Commission. She was an avid golfer, winning numerous awards for her skill. Mrs. Bulechek marketed advertising for Mullers, Love's, The Fashion and the Flower Shop. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Russell Robert Bulechek of Lake Charles; one daughter, Mrs. Ed (Barbara) Reiser of Lake Charles, one granddaughter, Rebecca Ann ("Becky") Reiser of Nashville, Tennessee; and one grandson, Robert Russell Reiser, also of Lake Charles. Mrs. Bulechek was preceded in death by her father, James Lester Henderson, her mother, Pearl Dees Henderson, her brother, James D. Henderson, and her sister, Margaret Henderson Scott. At the deceased's request, there will be no funeral or memorial services. Her remains will be donated to the L.S.U. School of Medicine in New Orleans. Memorial donations may be made to Wings Across America, Baylor University, P. O. Box 97160, Waco, TX 76798-7160, or to the charity of their choice. Johnson Funeral Home 337-478-8687
---------------------------------------
Local club was established in 1919.
By MARY JIMENEZ The Times
What is a World War II pilot doing standing midway on the steep slope before the 12th hole at Querbes Golf Course?
Just trying to hit her ball out of the hazard onto the green.
Annelle Bulechek scowls a little at the shot, and gingerly walks down the hill after taking a couple of puffs of her cigarette. She jokingly curses a bit, before turning to one of her Broadmoor Woman Golf Association (BWGA) playing partners.
"Come on, you're going to have to pull me back up," said the feisty 78-year-old Bulechek to former professional baseball player Barbara Payne.
It's Celebration of Women's Week, and one of the more distinguished organizations in Shreveport is the BWGA, established in 1919 by the Great Dane of Golf, Jeannette Williams. It is still one of the most influential clubs in the city.
It's not only the caliber of players - Payne is the reigning city champion, and has won the title nine times - but the women behind the club's name. They're strong, gutsy and have accomplished the extraordinary in their lives.
Tina Essler, the current BWGA president, won't hesitate to tell you about the accomplishments of the members of the association.
"They're quite a strong group of women, not only in golf, but in life," said Essler, 38, one of the youngest of the 46 members of the club.
Bulechek was a WASP (Woman Air Force Service Pilot). One of the first few woman pilots, who flew every plane in the inventory during WWII.
"We were the best kept secret of the war," said Bulechek, who plays an average three times a week. Her sense of humor and "don't tell me I can't do it" attitude are par for the course.
Payne's history is equally unique.
In high school, Payne went to see the All-American Girls Professional Baseball league, AAGPBL, when it came through Shreveport. After the game there was an open tryout. Payne who then played as an infielder in softball, walked down from the bleachers where she sat with her father, and showed them what she could do with a hard ball.
Payne, a shortstop and a pitcher, went on to play in the AAGPBL for two years. The story of the league was taken to the movie A League of Their Own, which starred Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna.
Although Essler plays with Bulechek and Payne, her admiration for the game was influenced by Barbara Fay White, the most accomplished woman golfer to come from this area, and largely tied to the Broadmoor group through her father, Ned White. White has never played with the BWGA, never played against Bulechek or Payne, and Essler only just recently met her since her move to Shreveport. But Essler's admiration for White was apparent in their first meeting.
"I've been waiting four years to meet you," said Essler as they were introduced.
From age 7 playing in city tournaments to state championships to Curtis Cup and world tours, White's pictures are scattered throughout the pages of the BWGA scrapbooks, displayed proudly as one of their own.
But it was Ned White, that kept bringing Barbara Fay back to Querbes. He was a pro at Querbes from after World War II until his death in 1970. As a child Barbara Fay honed her skills as she listened to her father give lessons. Later in her accomplished years she would return to Querbes; playing mostly men, but would sometimes help, and always lend her support to the women in the league.
White never stops giving credit to her father, whom she says was the strength behind every woman and junior program in the city while he was alive. But some 25 years after her most famed years, it is White's accomplishments that motivate young golfers, like Essler.
The BWGA is smaller now. The league acts as a pump; a lot of women pass through on their way to private clubs. But the heart of women's golf in the city can still be felt in the locker room at Querbes Golf Course.
And for Essler, she couldn't have found a better place to be.
"To compete at this level of seriousness is an adrenaline rush. If you can get on the number-one tee box, and you're up against a Barbara Payne - there's nothing like it in my book," Essler said. "I'm reaping the benefits of all this wisdom."
---------------------------------------
From a memorial Web site:
About Officer's Training School: "—the advanced Officers Training Course—training school in Orlando, Florida, which was the glamour base of the world. It was gorgeous, and we had all the foreign officers, all the free French, all the British officers were there for all this advanced administrative hush-hush training—radar secret training. Everything was secret, secret. And the Australians. We had them everywhere—Russians, everybody was there. And I just was so thrilled I was picked to go down to this school. And I got down there and nobody knew what you were, of course, you were back to, ‘What are you-- a flight nurse?' ‘No, I'm a pilot'.
Anyway, first thing I did was meet this darling little British Intelligence Officer. He had a little mustache, and he was a ‘cutie'. He said, ‘Oh, a WASP?' I said, ‘Yes'. And so he said, ‘Well, can I take you to dinner?' So we went into the officers' mess, and we were sitting there with all these different nationalities...and I was in my little uniform, and I was just adorable. Of course, we were all adorable at 23 years old, but I was especially adorable that day. And I was also especially capable. And we sat around the table, and they wanted to know what I did. And I told them. And I said, (actually, I exaggerated. There's just no getting away from it because when I ended up with my story, it sounded like I had my life in my hands, four to eight hours every day, you know, just fighting the war. It was very, very exciting.) And this officer kept punching me a little.
Down at the end of the table was the worst-looking woman I've ever seen in green fatigues. She had a bowl haircut—just like this. No make-up. Awful looking thing--just beating herself like this—by herself down at the other end of the table. And I got cuter by the minute by comparison. My story got a little louder, by comparison. And finally she got up, and she walked out. And I said, ‘Who in the world was the ‘slob' at the other end of the table?' And they said, ‘That was Olga (whatever her name was I can't pronounce). She was the Russian ‘ace' that had seven German planes to her credit. And I said, ‘Oh h___, I hope she doesn't speak English'. That was the only thing I could think of to say. But here I am, and she has German (they were fighter pilots, you know), seven German planes to her credit. So that is my most embarrassing moment of my lifetime. That's where I really made an ‘ass' of myself. OK. That was Officers' Training School."
Annelle Henderson Bulechek
LAKE CHARLES, LA - Annelle Henderson Bulechek, 83, died January 4,2004, in a local hospital. Born in Amarillo, Texas, Mrs. Bulechek grew up in Lake Charles and moved to Shreveport in 1968, where she resided until she returned to Lake Charles in 2001. She was a 1936 graduate of Lake Charles High School. She was a member of The Ninety-Nines, lnc., an international organization of women pilots, and she flew during World War II as a member of the Women Air Service Pilots (WASP). She was a member of the W B. Williamson Post No. 1, the U.S Golf Association, and served on the Mayor's Armed Forces Commission. She was an avid golfer, winning numerous awards for her skill. Mrs. Bulechek marketed advertising for Mullers, Love's, The Fashion and the Flower Shop. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Russell Robert Bulechek of Lake Charles; one daughter, Mrs. Ed (Barbara) Reiser of Lake Charles, one granddaughter, Rebecca Ann ("Becky") Reiser of Nashville, Tennessee; and one grandson, Robert Russell Reiser, also of Lake Charles. Mrs. Bulechek was preceded in death by her father, James Lester Henderson, her mother, Pearl Dees Henderson, her brother, James D. Henderson, and her sister, Margaret Henderson Scott. At the deceased's request, there will be no funeral or memorial services. Her remains will be donated to the L.S.U. School of Medicine in New Orleans. Memorial donations may be made to Wings Across America, Baylor University, P. O. Box 97160, Waco, TX 76798-7160, or to the charity of their choice. Johnson Funeral Home 337-478-8687
---------------------------------------
Local club was established in 1919.
By MARY JIMENEZ The Times
What is a World War II pilot doing standing midway on the steep slope before the 12th hole at Querbes Golf Course?
Just trying to hit her ball out of the hazard onto the green.
Annelle Bulechek scowls a little at the shot, and gingerly walks down the hill after taking a couple of puffs of her cigarette. She jokingly curses a bit, before turning to one of her Broadmoor Woman Golf Association (BWGA) playing partners.
"Come on, you're going to have to pull me back up," said the feisty 78-year-old Bulechek to former professional baseball player Barbara Payne.
It's Celebration of Women's Week, and one of the more distinguished organizations in Shreveport is the BWGA, established in 1919 by the Great Dane of Golf, Jeannette Williams. It is still one of the most influential clubs in the city.
It's not only the caliber of players - Payne is the reigning city champion, and has won the title nine times - but the women behind the club's name. They're strong, gutsy and have accomplished the extraordinary in their lives.
Tina Essler, the current BWGA president, won't hesitate to tell you about the accomplishments of the members of the association.
"They're quite a strong group of women, not only in golf, but in life," said Essler, 38, one of the youngest of the 46 members of the club.
Bulechek was a WASP (Woman Air Force Service Pilot). One of the first few woman pilots, who flew every plane in the inventory during WWII.
"We were the best kept secret of the war," said Bulechek, who plays an average three times a week. Her sense of humor and "don't tell me I can't do it" attitude are par for the course.
Payne's history is equally unique.
In high school, Payne went to see the All-American Girls Professional Baseball league, AAGPBL, when it came through Shreveport. After the game there was an open tryout. Payne who then played as an infielder in softball, walked down from the bleachers where she sat with her father, and showed them what she could do with a hard ball.
Payne, a shortstop and a pitcher, went on to play in the AAGPBL for two years. The story of the league was taken to the movie A League of Their Own, which starred Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna.
Although Essler plays with Bulechek and Payne, her admiration for the game was influenced by Barbara Fay White, the most accomplished woman golfer to come from this area, and largely tied to the Broadmoor group through her father, Ned White. White has never played with the BWGA, never played against Bulechek or Payne, and Essler only just recently met her since her move to Shreveport. But Essler's admiration for White was apparent in their first meeting.
"I've been waiting four years to meet you," said Essler as they were introduced.
From age 7 playing in city tournaments to state championships to Curtis Cup and world tours, White's pictures are scattered throughout the pages of the BWGA scrapbooks, displayed proudly as one of their own.
But it was Ned White, that kept bringing Barbara Fay back to Querbes. He was a pro at Querbes from after World War II until his death in 1970. As a child Barbara Fay honed her skills as she listened to her father give lessons. Later in her accomplished years she would return to Querbes; playing mostly men, but would sometimes help, and always lend her support to the women in the league.
White never stops giving credit to her father, whom she says was the strength behind every woman and junior program in the city while he was alive. But some 25 years after her most famed years, it is White's accomplishments that motivate young golfers, like Essler.
The BWGA is smaller now. The league acts as a pump; a lot of women pass through on their way to private clubs. But the heart of women's golf in the city can still be felt in the locker room at Querbes Golf Course.
And for Essler, she couldn't have found a better place to be.
"To compete at this level of seriousness is an adrenaline rush. If you can get on the number-one tee box, and you're up against a Barbara Payne - there's nothing like it in my book," Essler said. "I'm reaping the benefits of all this wisdom."
---------------------------------------
From a memorial Web site:
About Officer's Training School: "—the advanced Officers Training Course—training school in Orlando, Florida, which was the glamour base of the world. It was gorgeous, and we had all the foreign officers, all the free French, all the British officers were there for all this advanced administrative hush-hush training—radar secret training. Everything was secret, secret. And the Australians. We had them everywhere—Russians, everybody was there. And I just was so thrilled I was picked to go down to this school. And I got down there and nobody knew what you were, of course, you were back to, ‘What are you-- a flight nurse?' ‘No, I'm a pilot'.
Anyway, first thing I did was meet this darling little British Intelligence Officer. He had a little mustache, and he was a ‘cutie'. He said, ‘Oh, a WASP?' I said, ‘Yes'. And so he said, ‘Well, can I take you to dinner?' So we went into the officers' mess, and we were sitting there with all these different nationalities...and I was in my little uniform, and I was just adorable. Of course, we were all adorable at 23 years old, but I was especially adorable that day. And I was also especially capable. And we sat around the table, and they wanted to know what I did. And I told them. And I said, (actually, I exaggerated. There's just no getting away from it because when I ended up with my story, it sounded like I had my life in my hands, four to eight hours every day, you know, just fighting the war. It was very, very exciting.) And this officer kept punching me a little.
Down at the end of the table was the worst-looking woman I've ever seen in green fatigues. She had a bowl haircut—just like this. No make-up. Awful looking thing--just beating herself like this—by herself down at the other end of the table. And I got cuter by the minute by comparison. My story got a little louder, by comparison. And finally she got up, and she walked out. And I said, ‘Who in the world was the ‘slob' at the other end of the table?' And they said, ‘That was Olga (whatever her name was I can't pronounce). She was the Russian ‘ace' that had seven German planes to her credit. And I said, ‘Oh h___, I hope she doesn't speak English'. That was the only thing I could think of to say. But here I am, and she has German (they were fighter pilots, you know), seven German planes to her credit. So that is my most embarrassing moment of my lifetime. That's where I really made an ‘ass' of myself. OK. That was Officers' Training School."
LAKE CHARLES, LA - Annelle Henderson Bulechek, 83, died January 4,2004, in a local hospital. Born in Amarillo, Texas, Mrs. Bulechek grew up in Lake Charles and moved to Shreveport in 1968, where she resided until she returned to Lake Charles in 2001. She was a 1936 graduate of Lake Charles High School. She was a member of The Ninety-Nines, lnc., an international organization of women pilots, and she flew during World War II as a member of the Women Air Service Pilots (WASP). She was a member of the W B. Williamson Post No. 1, the U.S Golf Association, and served on the Mayor's Armed Forces Commission. She was an avid golfer, winning numerous awards for her skill. Mrs. Bulechek marketed advertising for Mullers, Love's, The Fashion and the Flower Shop. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Russell Robert Bulechek of Lake Charles; one daughter, Mrs. Ed (Barbara) Reiser of Lake Charles, one granddaughter, Rebecca Ann ("Becky") Reiser of Nashville, Tennessee; and one grandson, Robert Russell Reiser, also of Lake Charles. Mrs. Bulechek was preceded in death by her father, James Lester Henderson, her mother, Pearl Dees Henderson, her brother, James D. Henderson, and her sister, Margaret Henderson Scott. At the deceased's request, there will be no funeral or memorial services. Her remains will be donated to the L.S.U. School of Medicine in New Orleans. Memorial donations may be made to Wings Across America, Baylor University, P. O. Box 97160, Waco, TX 76798-7160, or to the charity of their choice. Johnson Funeral Home 337-478-8687
---------------------------------------
Local club was established in 1919.
By MARY JIMENEZ The Times
What is a World War II pilot doing standing midway on the steep slope before the 12th hole at Querbes Golf Course?
Just trying to hit her ball out of the hazard onto the green.
Annelle Bulechek scowls a little at the shot, and gingerly walks down the hill after taking a couple of puffs of her cigarette. She jokingly curses a bit, before turning to one of her Broadmoor Woman Golf Association (BWGA) playing partners.
"Come on, you're going to have to pull me back up," said the feisty 78-year-old Bulechek to former professional baseball player Barbara Payne.
It's Celebration of Women's Week, and one of the more distinguished organizations in Shreveport is the BWGA, established in 1919 by the Great Dane of Golf, Jeannette Williams. It is still one of the most influential clubs in the city.
It's not only the caliber of players - Payne is the reigning city champion, and has won the title nine times - but the women behind the club's name. They're strong, gutsy and have accomplished the extraordinary in their lives.
Tina Essler, the current BWGA president, won't hesitate to tell you about the accomplishments of the members of the association.
"They're quite a strong group of women, not only in golf, but in life," said Essler, 38, one of the youngest of the 46 members of the club.
Bulechek was a WASP (Woman Air Force Service Pilot). One of the first few woman pilots, who flew every plane in the inventory during WWII.
"We were the best kept secret of the war," said Bulechek, who plays an average three times a week. Her sense of humor and "don't tell me I can't do it" attitude are par for the course.
Payne's history is equally unique.
In high school, Payne went to see the All-American Girls Professional Baseball league, AAGPBL, when it came through Shreveport. After the game there was an open tryout. Payne who then played as an infielder in softball, walked down from the bleachers where she sat with her father, and showed them what she could do with a hard ball.
Payne, a shortstop and a pitcher, went on to play in the AAGPBL for two years. The story of the league was taken to the movie A League of Their Own, which starred Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna.
Although Essler plays with Bulechek and Payne, her admiration for the game was influenced by Barbara Fay White, the most accomplished woman golfer to come from this area, and largely tied to the Broadmoor group through her father, Ned White. White has never played with the BWGA, never played against Bulechek or Payne, and Essler only just recently met her since her move to Shreveport. But Essler's admiration for White was apparent in their first meeting.
"I've been waiting four years to meet you," said Essler as they were introduced.
From age 7 playing in city tournaments to state championships to Curtis Cup and world tours, White's pictures are scattered throughout the pages of the BWGA scrapbooks, displayed proudly as one of their own.
But it was Ned White, that kept bringing Barbara Fay back to Querbes. He was a pro at Querbes from after World War II until his death in 1970. As a child Barbara Fay honed her skills as she listened to her father give lessons. Later in her accomplished years she would return to Querbes; playing mostly men, but would sometimes help, and always lend her support to the women in the league.
White never stops giving credit to her father, whom she says was the strength behind every woman and junior program in the city while he was alive. But some 25 years after her most famed years, it is White's accomplishments that motivate young golfers, like Essler.
The BWGA is smaller now. The league acts as a pump; a lot of women pass through on their way to private clubs. But the heart of women's golf in the city can still be felt in the locker room at Querbes Golf Course.
And for Essler, she couldn't have found a better place to be.
"To compete at this level of seriousness is an adrenaline rush. If you can get on the number-one tee box, and you're up against a Barbara Payne - there's nothing like it in my book," Essler said. "I'm reaping the benefits of all this wisdom."
---------------------------------------
From a memorial Web site:
About Officer's Training School: "—the advanced Officers Training Course—training school in Orlando, Florida, which was the glamour base of the world. It was gorgeous, and we had all the foreign officers, all the free French, all the British officers were there for all this advanced administrative hush-hush training—radar secret training. Everything was secret, secret. And the Australians. We had them everywhere—Russians, everybody was there. And I just was so thrilled I was picked to go down to this school. And I got down there and nobody knew what you were, of course, you were back to, ‘What are you-- a flight nurse?' ‘No, I'm a pilot'.
Anyway, first thing I did was meet this darling little British Intelligence Officer. He had a little mustache, and he was a ‘cutie'. He said, ‘Oh, a WASP?' I said, ‘Yes'. And so he said, ‘Well, can I take you to dinner?' So we went into the officers' mess, and we were sitting there with all these different nationalities...and I was in my little uniform, and I was just adorable. Of course, we were all adorable at 23 years old, but I was especially adorable that day. And I was also especially capable. And we sat around the table, and they wanted to know what I did. And I told them. And I said, (actually, I exaggerated. There's just no getting away from it because when I ended up with my story, it sounded like I had my life in my hands, four to eight hours every day, you know, just fighting the war. It was very, very exciting.) And this officer kept punching me a little.
Down at the end of the table was the worst-looking woman I've ever seen in green fatigues. She had a bowl haircut—just like this. No make-up. Awful looking thing--just beating herself like this—by herself down at the other end of the table. And I got cuter by the minute by comparison. My story got a little louder, by comparison. And finally she got up, and she walked out. And I said, ‘Who in the world was the ‘slob' at the other end of the table?' And they said, ‘That was Olga (whatever her name was I can't pronounce). She was the Russian ‘ace' that had seven German planes to her credit. And I said, ‘Oh h___, I hope she doesn't speak English'. That was the only thing I could think of to say. But here I am, and she has German (they were fighter pilots, you know), seven German planes to her credit. So that is my most embarrassing moment of my lifetime. That's where I really made an ‘ass' of myself. OK. That was Officers' Training School."
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