By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
December 11, 2019
Tis’ the season for giving and that is just what was happening at Golf Club of North Hampton – where a four-day event known as the 25th Freedom Trail Challenge took place. That tournament ended on Saturday, December 7, 2019.
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Part of what made this tournament so successful was the special appearance of Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), Hall of Fame and Majors Champion, Jan Stephenson. As golf aficionados know, Ms. Stephenson has a very long and impressive list of accomplishments including 41 total victories of which nine were major championships.
On top of an impressive career as a golf pro, Ms. Stephenson is also a successful and impressive entrepreneur. Jan is a golf course designer, a golf course owner (operating Tarpon Woods in Palm Harbor, Florida), in addition to being a noted philanthropist – creating the Crossroads Foundation with the express purpose of “Giving to Those, That Have Given So Much” (as articulated on her website).
In addition, Ms. Stephenson has entered the wine-making business. She now owns a vineyard on the Central Coast of California which produces wines of both the red and white varieties – marketed, appropriately enough, under the label of “Three Majors.”
She chose to purchase a vineyard along the Central Coast of California because the topography had similarities to her native home of Australia. Says Stephenson “I instantly felt and deep and lasting connection.” Interesting enough, one of the former owners of the California vineyard Stephenson purchased was none other than the late Peter Falk, the star of the long-running Columbo series.
Add to all of that, Stephenson has developed her own brand of spirits and it is perhaps most proud of her fruit-flavored rums.
As part the four-day tournament, (this one being the first in which a woman has competed), a special wine and spirits tasting event, featuring Ms. Stephenson’s brand of libations took place in the Members Lounge at the Golf Club of North Hampton.
During that “Happy Hour,” she and other members of her team regaled stories of her time playing professional golf, her many charitable endeavors, her foray into wine and rum making – not to mention tales of her many public appearances over the years – including the Johnny Carson show.
The goal of the tournament was to purchase 150 toys (valued at $25 each plus batteries) to give out during the holiday season.
Editor’s Note: Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Cindy received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College. Upon graduation, Cindy began her career on Capitol Hill working as a legislative aide and director. She later became a part of the public relations and lobbying team of the American Iron and Steel Institute and served as director of the office of state legislative affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Cindy was involved in economic development with the state of Maryland, and served as executive director of Leadership Washington County. As a community volunteer, Cindy participates in numerous volunteer activities serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary, and as board member of Cummer Amelia Board of Directors.