NCGA and the Sunnyvale WGC mourn the loss of Past President Mary Lou Cadwell.
Mary Lou's involvement with the Sunnyvale WGC dates back to 1969.
Mary Lou was recognized for her incredible service to women's golf in 2006 when she received the coveted Helen Lengfeld Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the promotion of golf for women and furthering the volunteer work established by the Founder, NCGA Hall of Famer Helen Lengfeld.
From 1969-1972, Mary Lou served as the vice chair and chairperson on the Sunnyvale Parks & Recreation Commission. During this time, she helped establish the Sunnyvale Women's Golf Club in 1969 and had been a member since 1975. She held various positions during her years as a member of Sunnyvale WGC, including Secretary, Treasurer, Handicapper, Co-Captain, Captain (in 1994), Board Advisor, PWGA Rep, Rules Chair, County Team Play Captain and Head Starter.
She was also an active member of the Santa Clara Women's Golf Club since 1987. It wasn't long before she took on roles at Santa Clara for such jobs as EC tournament and Social/Sunshine Chair. She later held the positions of Historian and then Co-Captain and Membership Chair.
Mary Lou served on the PWGA Executive Board as the San Jose Area Director, Team Play Director, Vice President and then President of the PWGA. In 1995, she helped organize the California Women’s Golf Council and, in 1996, the California Women’s State Championship’s inaugural event at Torrey Pines. And finally from 1994-2004, she served as a member of the San Jose Area Course Rating Committee.
She had continued to be a social member of Sunnyvale Women's Golf Club since having to hang up her golf clubs (due to health issues).
As you can see from the above, Mary Lou Cadwell did not just sit on the sidelines and let others do the work; she totally dedicated herself to promoting and supporting women's golf for over 51 years. This is a great loss to the golfing community, but her work and dedication will be remembered by us all.