Women golfers from all over Tellico Village braved frigid weather and gathered on the green March 7 to take part in the first Ladies Golf Clinic of the year at Toqua Golf Course.

This is the third year Tellico Village golf professionals Casey Flenniken and Adam Jacob have put on the clinic.

“It’s been a lot of fun for us,” Flenniken said. “We saw that there were just so many new ladies moving into the Village or currently living here that have never played golf or play golf socially, but don’t really have a clue how to do it and have never had some professional PGA advice.”

The clinic runs noon-2 p.m. Wednesdays through May 23 at Toqua Golf Course. The cost is $20 per session.

“One thing that makes it really great is that it’s very affordable and worth the buck,” Flenniken said. “We’re going to be able to get to each individual on a one-on-one basis throughout the hour. This just gives them a way at an affordable cost to get some really good, detailed tips, as well as meeting other women. That way they can join our women’s leagues and social events. Most importantly, it just allows them to have fun.”

Ann Willinghoff has played golf for many years and said the clinic has helped her get ready to hit the links.

“I’ve been golfing for a number of years, but I kind of take the winters off,” she said. “I like to start from scratch ... you know, the very basics and start off correctly. I kind of reached a plateau in my game and so now I’m determined to improve and these are great facilities and professionals to work with.”

Carla Johnson has participated in several clinic sessions before and plans to attend as many as possible.

“What I love about these clinics is the pros gives us great tips on just how to make the game more enjoyable,” she said. “They don’t expect us to go out and become professional golfers, but it’s just the little things and little adjustments that we can make that make it more fun. If you can’t hit the ball where you want to, it’s not much fun. They really help us with our control and fundamentals.”

Flenniken and other golfers credit much of the clinic’s success to a relaxed, group environment.

“The ladies that have gone through these clinics before have improved immensely,” Flenniken said. “You have ladies that come in that, used to, couldn’t even hit the ball. Now, they’ll come in and tell me they broke 50 for nine holes. That shows me and Adam that it’s working. It means something to him. I mean, it’s 40 degrees out here and both sessions were full and they showed up because they want to get better. There’s no intimidation and it’s a fun atmosphere. In between, the ladies will talk and cut up with each other. If you swing and miss, everyone laughs and they move on. There’s no pressure.”

Having a group of golfers going through a clinic together takes pressure off some of the women attending.

“In a group setting like this, it’s far less intimidating,” Willinghoff said. “When you take a one-on-one lesson you can only absorb so much, but in a group setting like this there’s support, camaraderie and a social aspect to it.”

For more information, email Flenniken at CFlenniken@tvpoa.org.