In 2010, the Buffalo Jills Golf Tournament found a new home in Amherst's beautiful Westwood Country Club after several years at Fox Valley in Lancaster. Unlike most events, there was little extra setting up to do as the Country Club had a lot of stuff covered but I still showed up early enough so as to help ensure things ran smoothly from the start. That being said, many of the Jills were there already so it wasn't long before I was hard at work taking photos.
As in past years, golfers started off the day, after registration, with lunch and the opportunity to sign up for some games, buy raffle tickets, and bid on Jills to be their caddies for the day. The group that won Brianne's services got an added bonus as she was a very accomplished golfer on her own. There were a few added aspects to this golf tournament as when the girls arrived at the country club for the day, they each came with baked goods, The family of one of the girls had their home severely damaged in a fire and to help raise money to pay for items that were lost in the fire, the Jills added a bake sale to the event.
Danielle, Lindsay, and Vincenza
The 3 Musketeers Kristen, Alyssa, and Nicole
After the golfers finished registering and eating, it was time to head out to the course and one thing that Westwood had that Fox Valley didn't was extra golf carts enough that they even issued one to me. It allowed me to take girls to and from the clubhouse as well as get from one place to another much quicker, allowing me to spend more time taking photos and less time traveling. Once out on the course, I made various stops, getting photos of the Jills with the golfers but the area that got the most attention was near the 9th hole where there was a lot going on. Ruby was there running the bake sale and nearby, music was playing courtesy 97Rock's DJ Jickster. Also included was a dunk tank, where 5th year vets Valerie and Stefanie both volunteered to spend this hot day.
Val and Stefanie by the dunk tank
Michelle, Nicole, Jill, and Jackie
A new money-making idea at this tournament took advantage of the gymnastic abilities of a couple of the girls by having them "flip for tips." Michelle and Jill went around the course asking for donations upon which Jill would show off her amazing abilities. As luck would have it, they and I were all around the 10th hole during a bit of a lull as there were no golfers in the vicinity and they took the opportunity to have some fun in front of the camera. I couldn't hang at the 10th hole all day long though as there were plenty more photos to take and while several Jills were only there for the 1st part of the day, many more were there later, some of whom I ran into around the course. Some of them even were given the opportunity to try their hand at golf if a foursome wasn't rushing to the next hole. Murissa and Rena were among those who got that chance just as the day was winding down. As the golfers headed back to the clubhouse, having a cart paid off as I was able to take the girls back as well where several more Jills were waiting, some who had also recently gotten to the clubhouse from the course, while a few more were only there for the after tournament events of the day.
Murissa tries her hand at golf
Reena, Jessica, Gabrielle, and Amanda V
Once back at the clubhouse, golfers got drinks, talked with the other tournament participants, and bought more raffle tickets for the 50-50 prize as well as for all the Chinese auction prizes that were donated by various companies around WNY, several by the Buffalo Bills organization. Before long, dinner was served and after all the golfers had gotten their food, it was time for the big reveal of the night. The day before, the Jills had all met before for a private Jills-only party, at which they found out who was gracing the cover of the annual Buffalo Jills swimsuit calendar. I found out myself earlier in the day but at dinner, they revealed the cover of the calendar, featuring Anna and Meghan, to the assembled golfers. After dinner wound down, it was time for the grand finale of the day's events. I'm speaking, of course, about the big dance performance that several Jills dancers put on for their supporters followed by the awarding of the raffle and Chinese auction prizes.
Get the full audio to the video on our Facebook page. See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/2254
From the Bandettes comes a photo from the recent Open Practice. Before the squad split up to greet fans coming into the practice, they posed for a few photos. Shown posing for the camera are Syidah, MaKenzie, Janelle, Amanda, Angela, Karley, Mandy, Jennifer, Deanna, Megan, Rachel, Sarah, Jessica, and Stephanie.
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