EASTHAM — Susan Everett, Carol Aro, Eileen Miller, and Dawn Skiba finished each other’s sentences. This tendency, like their golf games, evolved over their four-decades-long friendship, their strengths and foibles becoming complementary on the course and off.

After a decade of competing together as the “Swinging Sisters” in the annual Eastham Golf Tournament, this year the foursome won’t be the same. Aro died of cancer in December.

To round out the group this year, Miller’s niece Kristen Blue will drive down from Plymouth on Sept. 12 to the Captain’s Golf Course in Brewster, where the 18-hole tournament will be held.

Her teammates hope Blue will be strong off the tee. Everett and Aro were always the straight shooters. Miller is consistent. And Skiba isn’t afraid to take a chance. The foursome were all decent putters.

“When Dawn hits it well, we don’t have to go again because we play best ball,” says Everett.

“Best ball” means that the lowest individual score on each hole is used as the team score. This allows for a range of skills.

“It’s a little bit of pressure on me,” says Skiba. “If Eileen or I go off into the woods, we use their ball.”

This year’s foursome will be playing with Aro in mind. They might even be hoping for a little otherworldly assistance this time around.

When Aro was sick, the women took turns visiting her. Skiba, who has been chasing an elusive hole-in-one for years, wanted to make sure Aro was part of it if and when she eventually sank one.

“If I get a really good drive,” Skiba says she asked Aro, “could you help me on the hole-in-one?” Aro kept her eyes shut, but Skiba says she grinned big in response. Skiba took it as a thumbs-up.

This could be Skiba’s year — or not. The friends will come out swinging in style either way.

“It’s a good cause, we get exercise, and we have a great time,” says Miller.

The tournament raises money for nursing, college, and trade-school scholarships for Eastham residents as well as other philanthropic and community-focused initiatives of the Eastham Chamber of Commerce, like the local emergency fund. All golfers play in foursomes; registration costs $150 per person.

“We’re not there to be the best,” adds Miller. “We’re just having a day away from everything else to play golf and then go out for a little dinner.”

“Our chance of winning is close to nil,” says Skiba, noting that the event is not split by skill or gender.

The Eastham Golf Tournament is an amateur event, and most like it that way, even if the recent aeration of the course has added some frustration for the regulars who play five or six times a week.

But the Swinging Sisters are happy to just get out on the course together. During the summer, with work and grandchildren and the go-go rhythms of warm days, the women don’t have much opportunity to play together.

They will be among the few women in the tournament. Miller estimates that only 10 or 12 women will sign up. That’s compared to over 100 men, Everett adds.

After completing 18 holes, the women typically carpool to the Elks Lodge in Eastham for the awards ceremony, a raffle, a dinner of lobster or roast beef, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Nongolfers can join this part of the event for $45.

A few times, the Swinging Sisters have “won” last place. But no matter. Almost every year they have also won the “Best Dressed” award for their matching shirts, khaki trousers, and accessories.

“Eileen is our master,” says Skiba. “She goes online and orders us all shirts.” The shirts are usually some interpretative take on traditional floral design purchased from a boutique in Florida, where Miller spends part of the winter.

“Sometimes, I make them silly hats or earrings or bracelets,” adds Miller.

“Nobody can compete with us,” says Everett.

“They’ve tried,” says Miller.

“But they haven’t succeeded,” says Everett.

After the tournament and before the weather turns, the women hope to go to Chatham Seaside Links to play nine holes, as they have done many times before. Walking the course, golf clubs in tow in pull carts, makes for a leisurely afternoon, urged on by the promise of clam chowder at the Chatham Squire.

With the Swinging Sisters’ “best ball” approach, course obstacles — sand pits, water hazards, even trees — won’t detract from the experience. Backed up by Everett’s aim, Miller’s consistency, and Aro’s guidance, Skiba will power up a drive.

“I’ve got nothing to lose,” says Skiba. “The other three will take care of me.”

Only a Game

The event: Eastham Golf Tournament & Awards Banquet
The time: Thursday, Sept. 12, tournament at noon; dinner at 6 p.m.
The place: Captain’s Golf Course, 1000 Freeman’s Way, Brewster and Elks Lodge, 10 McKoy Road, Eastham
The cost: $150; $45 for the awards dinner only; register at easthamchamber.com