BELMONT HILLS Country Club recently crowned its women’s club champions at the annual tournament in St. Clairsville. Pictured, with club professional Ron Baker are champion Esta Maloney (left) and runner-up Linda Dowler. Additional images may be found at cu.timesleaderonline.com

Esta Maloney went about picking up the game of golf in somewhat of a bizarre method. Most good golfers start playing the game when they are really young. Maloney falls into the category of a good golfer, but she wasn’t all that young when she picked up a club for the first time. “I was 28 years old when I first picked up a golf club,” Maloney said. “I have been fortunate and lucky with the game. From the very first time I swung a golf club, it got into my blood and I was hooked.” While growing up, Maloney had no desire to golf. She was into the sport of fencing. Yes, sword fighting. “I fenced for 10 years and loved it,” Maloney said. “I owe a lot to fencing because it was such a dexterious sport. I was just a natural for golf, and I really don’t know why.” Maloney’s love and skill for the game has brought her another award. The Wheeling resident claimed her 30th — yes 30th — Belmont Hills Club Championship last week.