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At far too many golf courses over far too many years, men have grumbled at the sight of four women playing in front of them, regardless of ball color. Women gossip at the tee box, take too many swings and slow down play for everyone, many guys moan. But for the last 15 years, the EWGA has tried to help fight those stereotypes, while at the same time educating its own members on the proper protocols of the game, including the importance of maintaining a decent pace.

Founded in 1991, the organization now numbers more than 19,000 women in 120 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. Its mission statement: to offer "a wide range of organized golf activities, player development and educational programs, volunteer, social and networking opportunities for both novice and experienced golfers … the EWGA also serves as an advocate for positive change on issues of importance to women golfers."

The Naples chapter has just over 200 members, about half of them working executives. The others are retirees who still enjoy playing regularly with other women. Ranging in age from about 40 to 70, they hold organized league play every week at a variety of courses in Lee and Collier counties. There also are regular social events, often with golf-oriented guest speakers, including one get-together every spring for members to say goodbye to their snowbird friends.

"I like it because of the network of friends I’ve developed," says Downing, who works in the real estate business for a title insurance company. "We’ve got bankers, lawyers, teachers, physical therapists. It’s just an interesting group of some very smart women."

A native of Knoxville, Tenn., who has played golf most of her life, Downing also emphasized that the welcome mat is always out for beginners, some of whom have never even picked up a golf club but would like to use the game as a source of business networking.

"A lot of people have the misconception that you have to be a good golfer to be a member," Downing says. "That’s just not the case."

This summer, the EWGA initiated a "how low can you go" program, not to teach the limbo, but rather to offer instruction to players at every level on how to improve their scores. They’ll bring in a local professional to show players how to think their way around the course, rather than trying to bash their shots every which way but straight. At another session, the Naples group heard a rules official from LPGA headquarters in Daytona Beach discuss the rules of golf.

At some golfing events, the group tries to pair an experienced golfer with a relative novice, the better to explain basic golf course etiquette—where to park your golf cart, how to repair a pitch mark on a putting surface, how to properly rake a sand trap, how not to step on the line of an opponent’s putt, how to mark a ball on the green and how to use the ball washer next to the tee.

"It’s basic stuff to experienced golfers," Downing says. "But if someone doesn’t tell you, how will you ever know? It’s one reason a lot of women are intimidated by the whole experience when they first take up the game. We don’t want to chase anyone away. We want them to come back."

Most of them do, and that’s also good business for a number of area golf course operators who see wisdom in expanding the number of players who might want to return to their courses. Naples-area venues such as Tiburón, Arrowhead and Pelican Preserve have made their facilities available to the club, usually with a substantial discount on greens fees.

"We started having EWGA league play last year, and it’s grown ever since," says Chad Nigro, head professional at Tiburón. "The more experienced players often bring the novices out, and when the beginners start to progress, they bring more novices. Last year we usually had one or two foursomes for league play. This year we’re getting three and four foursomes out."

And of course, the ladies often buy golf balls in the pro shop. White ones, if you please.