Longshore Women's Golf Association Marks 50th Anniversary

For many involved with The Longshore Women's Golf Association, the day began similar to most Tuesdays. Since 1960, association members faithfully have met on Tuesday mornings to play 18 holes of golf at Longshore Club Park.

Yet, their latest reunion marked a special occasion. The Longshore Women's Golf Association (LWGA) marked its 50th anniversary Tuesday with more than hitting the links. Lunchtime festivities, special guests and some good old-fashioned story-telling were essential parts the day's event.

For LWGA co-founder Beryl Buck Miller, the celebration was a joy to behold. "This luncheon is an amazing treat," she said. "We started this organization from scratch in 1960 and now it's 50 years old. I have not been here since the LWGA had its 40th anniversary. It's wonderful. I get to see my former golfing buddies."

Golf is a longstanding passion for the entire Buck and Miller families. Beryl Buck Miller is the former wife of the late George Buck, who was the head golf pro of Longshore Beach and Country Club, then of Longshore Club Park. Their son, George Buck Junior,  is the owner of Evergreen Golf Club in Rangeley, Maine.

"Golf is a wonderful hobby, a wonderful sport and a wonderful business," Miller said.

In recalling her time spent in Westport, Miller spoke of running into actor Gregory Peck near the 18th hole of the Longshore course. 

"I was practicing my chipping and Gregory Peck was in town to film The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit. I looked up and there he was, walking towards me. He asked me if I could teach him to chip like that," she said. "I told him that I was very flattered but that he needed to speak to my husband, who was the golf pro. My husband gave him a few lessons."

Miller, who has mastered the game of golf,  won more than 20 state and regional titles as an amateur golfer in Connecticut and Florida. She went on to become a professional golfer. She is now a retired Ladies Professional Golf Association professional who resides in Bluffton, S.C., with her husband, Werner Miller.

She spends summers visiting George Junior in Rangeley, an eight-hour drive from Westport.

 "I didn't think I would be able to make it to the anniversary this year but I had inspiration from above," noted Beryl.  My son drove me down. He's a good egg."

A spry 88, Miller said she still tries to play two rounds of golf each week.

Miller and LWGA historian and original member Caryl Beatus have been working to organize today's celebration for several months.

"We tracked down so many people to invite them to this event," Beatus said. "By hook or crook, we found people. We used computers, word of mouth, networking. You name it. We were able to locate the people we wanted to locate."

Beatus said that LWGA currently has 96 members. She anticipated 120 attendees to be at the celebratory luncheon.

"This is a great group of people," said longtime member Mary Wilson, who was assisting Beatus in setting up the luncheon. "I've been involved for about 40-plus years. I've never been a decent golfer, but I enjoy coming here anyhow!"

Portions of today's celebrations were recorded and will be used in a video documenting 50th-anniversary celebrations and recollections pertaining to Longshore. For information, visit http://www.westporthistory.org/longshore50/