Shirley Nasheim Welcomes British Columbia Junior Girls At Cordova Bay
Shirley Nasheim Greeted Junior Golfers On The First Tee At Cordova Bay On Tuesday. Nasheim Won The First BC Junior Girls Title In 1952 - Image Credit Alfie Lau
by Alfie Lau
When 52 of the best young female golfers in the province teed off Tuesday morning at Cordova Bay Golf Course for the opening round of the British Columbia Junior Girls Championship, they were joined at the first tee by the first winner of that title.
Shirley Nasheim won the 1952 title, beating her good friend and Hall of Famer Dorothy Wilks (Herbertson) with a final score of 86. While Dorothy would win the next two years, Shirley will always be able to say she was the first winner of the BC Junior Girls Championship.
“The tournament was at Royal Colwood and I was a member at Gorge Vale, where I’ve been for the last 67 years,” said the still spry Nasheim. “I don’t play as much now because of a torn rotator cuff, but I wanted to get out and see these young women.”
Nasheim greeted the first couple of groups who teed off on Tuesday, talking briefly with Kaitlyn Wingnean of Edmonton and Rebecca Jiang of The Redwoods before the twosome hit the first shots in the 2015 tournament.
As Nasheim watched the youngsters hit, she couldn’t help but be amazed at what she was seeing. “I can’t believe how far they hit it, how good their equipment is and how well they play the game,” said Nasheim. “I told them this is a game you can play for life. Just look at me, I’m still playing the game and loving it.”
image credit alfie lau
Shirley Nasheim Is Greeted By Tournament Director Greg Moody On The First Tee At Cordova Bay On Tuesday. Nasheim Won The First BC Junior Girls Title In 1952
Nasheim’s golf resume includes 19 Club Championships at Gorge, five District Amateur Championships, a District Senior Championship and a runner-up finish at the 1959 BC Women’s Amateur.
If one story illustrates her love of the game, let’s have Nasheim tell what happened during a recent round. “I was paired up with three junior boys at my club and her I am playing with them. They hit it so far, but I think I caught them on the putting green.”
Nasheim tells the tale with a smile on her face and a glint in her eye and she’s also happy to show off the 1952 silver pin she received for winning the junior girls title.
“I think it’s nice for the girls to know there’s a long history to this tournament,” said Nasheim. “I’m proud to be a part of that history.”
Nasheim is expected to come back to Cordova Bay later in the week to watch the girls play and see who wins the title she held 63 years ago.
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