Honoring Nancy “Duckie” Brown :A Journey of Golf, Family, and Belonging Celebrating 55 years with the Garden State Women’s Golf Association
🏆 Career Highlights & Tournament Record
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- 5-Time Alpine Country Club Champion (1970–2010)
- 28-Time Club Championship Runner-Up
- 2-Time Senior Club Champion (1996, 1997)
- 3-Time Husband-and-Wife Champion (With her husband, Howard)
- 🥇 Maccabi Games Gold Medalist (2013): Represented the United States in team competition in Israel.
- 🏆 GSWGA Stroke Play Net Champion (1994)
- 15+ Years as Editor of Tee Talk & Former Second Vice President of the WMGA.
🌲 A Foundation Built on the Fairways
From the moment I first stepped onto a golf course, the game did not simply welcome me—it challenged me, defined me, and quietly began shaping the course of my entire life. What started as a test of skill and nerve quickly became something far greater: a lifelong journey of competition, friendship, resilience, and unforgettable moments shared with the people I loved most.
At the heart of my golf life was my husband, Howard. We built a life together that was deeply connected through golf. We played, competed, traveled, and shared the joy of the game side by side—not only at Alpine Country Club, but throughout the world. Among our most special accomplishments was winning three husband-and-wife championships together, victories made all the sweeter because we achieved them as a team.
Eventually, health issues led me to retire from championship play, but my love for the game never left me.
🌸 Magic at Somerset Hills & The “Alpine Contingent”
I joined the Garden State Women’s Golf Association in my early 20s, back when membership was strictly limited to just 110 of New Jersey’s finest golfers. Sponsored by wonderful mentors like Judy Baris, Muriel Denny, and Helen Atkin, I earned my place in the field and began a 55-year relationship with an organization that would broaden my world in ways I could never have anticipated.
Some of my strongest golf memories began the moment I arrived at Somerset Hills Country Club for the annual Round Robin tournament. In those days, leaving my young family for three days was a big deal, but it was an unmissable holiday where golf and friendship came together in a very special way.
The days featured excellent, fierce competition, but the off-course camaraderie was pure magic. GSWGA founder Emily Frelinghuysen was the ultimate hostess, welcoming us to her home with afternoon tea, cocktails, dinners, and endless hospitality that made everyone feel special.
Six of us from Alpine traveled together, and we earned a reputation for knowing exactly how to have fun. We booked four rooms: three for sleeping, and a fourth dedicated entirely to being our “Activity Room.” The sound of laughter there never stopped.
Inside the Alpine Activity Room:
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- Late-Night Swing Practice: Between rounds, we brought out swing training aids to test our motions, joking constantly about our form and tempo.
- Card Games & Cocktails: A card table was always buzzing with lively games of Bridge and Gin Rummy deep into the night.
- The Corner Bar: We kept a corner well-stocked with snacks, liquor, and plenty of fresh limes to keep the festive atmosphere going.
By the time we returned home, I was completely exhausted but exhilarated. It was the very best kind of exhaustion—I would return home on a wonderful high, already counting down the days until the next year.
“Looking back now, I realize the Round Robin was never just about golf. It was about belonging—to a group of women who loved the game, supported one another, and created joy wherever they went.” — Nancy Brown
🤝 Giving Back: Mentorship and Leadership
Golf gave me so much, and contributing to the women’s golf community became just as meaningful to me as competing. My love of the game created wonderful opportunities to get involved with the governance of the sport:
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- WMGA Board of Directors: Served for many years, eventually becoming Second Vice President.
- Junior Girls Chair: Had the privilege of mentoring, encouraging, and guiding the next generation of young girls discovering the game.
- Editor of Tee Talk: Channeling my passion into print, I served as the editor of the publication for more than 15 years.
Another unforgettable chapter came later in life at the 2013 Maccabi Games in Israel. Being selected to represent the United States and winning a gold medal in the team competition was a true, unforgettable “wow” moment.
🦆 The Ultimate Blessing: Family & Becoming “Duckie”
As wonderful as my golf life has been, the absolute greatest part of my journey has always been my family.
When our daughter Michele gave birth to her first child, Amanda (now 33), I gave myself the name “Duckie” to enchant my young relatives. As the family grew to include Melissa, Michael’s children Matthew and Caroline, and most recently, four-year-old Sydney, the name stuck. Then came the ultimate super bonus: our great-grandchildren, Elle and Olivia. I am also blessed to have my son-in-law, Matt, in my life, who affectionately addresses me as “The Duckstress.”
Somehow, Duckie became more than a name I created for the children; it became a piece of who I am, and today, many of my very best friends call me Duckie too.
The children I once tried to entertain have actually become my greatest teachers. They keep me current on everything happening in their world—educating me on Instagram, Facebook, and influencers. They keep me laughing, learning, curious, and connected to a world that changes faster than I ever imagined.
💚 A Lifetime of Gratitude
When I look back at my life, I realize that GSWGA—and golf itself—was never simply about scores, trophies, championships, medals, or competition. Golf was the thread that connected so many wonderful parts of my life. It gave me friendships, opportunities, adventures, challenges, and a community that I have treasured for decades.
Looking back on it all—the championships, the friendships, the travels, my years of giving back to the game, and most of all, the beautiful family that surrounds me through it—I am overwhelmed with a profound sense of gratitude.