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On September 7, 2021, petite but powerful golfer Deedee Raulston was named an honorary member of the Chattanooga Women’s Golf Association. The CWGA was founded in 1937 and has witnessed powerful play of many local women through the years and strong dedication to the organization.
“I was floored! In tears!” Deedee said of the moment when the honor was announced. She had noticed lots of Signal Mountain golfers in attendance but didn’t suspect that they were there in large part to see her honored.
Susan Thurman, a longtime member of the CWGA, read the tribute, which includes the qualifications for the Honorary Member title: “Not for skill of play but to promote harmonious golf among golfing women of Chattanooga; to corporate with golf associations of neighboring towns; to assist in the promotion of any Tennessee state or local tournaments; and to promote and interest in competitive golf.” Expanding her remarks about Deedee, Susan added personal notes about the honoree’s high character, invoking Proverbs 31, the chapter that outlines the traits of a virtuous woman. In addition, she pointed out that the nickname Deedee’s grandchildren call her, “Grandee,” is the perfect name because she is a GRAND person.
In a note sent by her CWGA friends, Deedee’s wonderful manner was singled out: “Your positive and upbeat attitude never goes unnoticed, and you bring honor to the game with your genuine and loving personality.”
A member of the Chattanooga Women’s Golf Association for 46 years and the Signal Mountain Ladies’ Golf Association for 50 years, Deedee has served in many capacities between the two organizations, including president to par quota (the person who arranges the players in teams) and many positions between. Along with many committees, she chaired and co-chaired (with Chee Chee Allen) the city tournament, an endeavor involving countless hours of planning and execution. Currently the organization’s corresponding secretary, Deedee also writes the newsletters.
In addition to these contributions, Deedee brought home the standard when she was the first woman to win the championship of the senior division of the Chattanooga Women’s Amateur Tournament. Considering her honors and winnings, the unassuming Deedee told the Mountain Mirror, “I am one blessed lady.”
Deedee and the local golfing community were indeed blessed when she was introduced to the sport by her dad, Bill Driver, when she was a mere 10 years old! Bill and Deedee’s mom, Betty, joined the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club in 1950 and gave Deedee her first putter, which she uses still today to the amazement of her friends, and five iron. She excelled, and soon her parents added a wood to her growing collection. Don Malarkey was club pro at that time and gave lessons on the first fairway.
In 1955, when Deedee was 12, her dad took her to the Fifth Ladies Professional Golfer’s Association Tour in Carrolton, Ga., and she was thrilled, dedicating herself to the sport. She still has the program from the event, one signed by the great women’s golf champions of the day.
And dedicated she’s been. Deedee’s golfing buddy since childhood, Bonnie Hamilton, noted that Deedee’s priorities have always been faith, family, and friends . . . with golf coming in a close fourth! In addition to hundreds of games shared over their lifetimes, Bonnie and Deedee are faithful Masters Tournament goers each year and have a marvelous time.
Over the years, Deedee has had two holes-in-one and played in state and Southern tournaments, where she made friends all over the Southeast, friends she enjoys still today.
When the Mirror spoke to Deedee, she added the great news that on the very week she won the CWGA honor, she shot one less than her age: a 78! It’s a huge deal to be able to able to shoot the number of your age, and she was able to beat that by one point! Then last week, she won the Kistler Match Play Tournament! As happy as she is with these successes, she told us that she’s even prouder of her grandson, Jake Raulston of Naked River Brewery, who sent cases of water (beer cans filled with water instead of beer) to those suffering a shortage of water due to the hurricanes in Louisiana.
Looking forward, Deedee hopes to emulate her idol, Jean St. Charles, who is still playing a great game of golf at age 92. Keeping fit by walking and playing three weekly golf games (weather permitting), Deedee is off to a great start! She’s so grateful that SMGCC stayed open during the COVID-19 shutdown because to “sit around” all that time would have driven her over the edge.
Congratulations to Deedee Raulston, a very deserving golfer, highly principled woman, and dear friend to many!
by Anne Rittenberry
“I was floored! In tears!” Deedee said of the moment when the honor was announced. She had noticed lots of Signal Mountain golfers in attendance but didn’t suspect that they were there in large part to see her honored.
Susan Thurman, a longtime member of the CWGA, read the tribute, which includes the qualifications for the Honorary Member title: “Not for skill of play but to promote harmonious golf among golfing women of Chattanooga; to corporate with golf associations of neighboring towns; to assist in the promotion of any Tennessee state or local tournaments; and to promote and interest in competitive golf.” Expanding her remarks about Deedee, Susan added personal notes about the honoree’s high character, invoking Proverbs 31, the chapter that outlines the traits of a virtuous woman. In addition, she pointed out that the nickname Deedee’s grandchildren call her, “Grandee,” is the perfect name because she is a GRAND person.
In a note sent by her CWGA friends, Deedee’s wonderful manner was singled out: “Your positive and upbeat attitude never goes unnoticed, and you bring honor to the game with your genuine and loving personality.”
A member of the Chattanooga Women’s Golf Association for 46 years and the Signal Mountain Ladies’ Golf Association for 50 years, Deedee has served in many capacities between the two organizations, including president to par quota (the person who arranges the players in teams) and many positions between. Along with many committees, she chaired and co-chaired (with Chee Chee Allen) the city tournament, an endeavor involving countless hours of planning and execution. Currently the organization’s corresponding secretary, Deedee also writes the newsletters.
In addition to these contributions, Deedee brought home the standard when she was the first woman to win the championship of the senior division of the Chattanooga Women’s Amateur Tournament. Considering her honors and winnings, the unassuming Deedee told the Mountain Mirror, “I am one blessed lady.”
Deedee and the local golfing community were indeed blessed when she was introduced to the sport by her dad, Bill Driver, when she was a mere 10 years old! Bill and Deedee’s mom, Betty, joined the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club in 1950 and gave Deedee her first putter, which she uses still today to the amazement of her friends, and five iron. She excelled, and soon her parents added a wood to her growing collection. Don Malarkey was club pro at that time and gave lessons on the first fairway.
In 1955, when Deedee was 12, her dad took her to the Fifth Ladies Professional Golfer’s Association Tour in Carrolton, Ga., and she was thrilled, dedicating herself to the sport. She still has the program from the event, one signed by the great women’s golf champions of the day.
And dedicated she’s been. Deedee’s golfing buddy since childhood, Bonnie Hamilton, noted that Deedee’s priorities have always been faith, family, and friends . . . with golf coming in a close fourth! In addition to hundreds of games shared over their lifetimes, Bonnie and Deedee are faithful Masters Tournament goers each year and have a marvelous time.
Over the years, Deedee has had two holes-in-one and played in state and Southern tournaments, where she made friends all over the Southeast, friends she enjoys still today.
When the Mirror spoke to Deedee, she added the great news that on the very week she won the CWGA honor, she shot one less than her age: a 78! It’s a huge deal to be able to able to shoot the number of your age, and she was able to beat that by one point! Then last week, she won the Kistler Match Play Tournament! As happy as she is with these successes, she told us that she’s even prouder of her grandson, Jake Raulston of Naked River Brewery, who sent cases of water (beer cans filled with water instead of beer) to those suffering a shortage of water due to the hurricanes in Louisiana.
Looking forward, Deedee hopes to emulate her idol, Jean St. Charles, who is still playing a great game of golf at age 92. Keeping fit by walking and playing three weekly golf games (weather permitting), Deedee is off to a great start! She’s so grateful that SMGCC stayed open during the COVID-19 shutdown because to “sit around” all that time would have driven her over the edge.
Congratulations to Deedee Raulston, a very deserving golfer, highly principled woman, and dear friend to many!
by Anne Rittenberry
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