Karen Proctor (pictured above), Director of Sales – APAC with Textron Specialized Vehicles (TSV), continues to blaze a trail for women in the Asian golf industry.
At last week’s annual general meeting of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF), Singapore-based Proctor was elected to the role of Secretary. In so doing, Proctor, a sitting AGIF Board member, has become the Federation’s first female office bearer.
“I’ve been proud to have served on the Board at the AGIF for the past two years and I’m honoured to now take on the position as Secretary,” said Proctor, who joined the golf industry in her native England 14 years ago.
Chris Gray, the AGIF President, said: “Karen has been an influential member of the Board for the past two years.
“During that time she’s been a tremendous advocate for our Certificate in Greenkeeping programme and was also instrumental in launching a new AGIF Women is Sports initiative that shines the spotlight on females in the sporting world.
“In the position as Secretary, I have no doubt she’ll play an increasingly important role in the Federation in the years ahead.”
Last year, the AGIF signed up with The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, making a commitment to achieve gender balance and a more inclusive culture within the golfing industry in the region.
“With Karen’s continued support and cajoling, I’m confident we’ll step up a variety of AGIF initiatives aimed at encouraging female participation and leadership in all areas of the industry,” said Gray.
As Director of Sales for APAC for TSV, covering the Jacobsen, E-Z-GO and Cushman brands, Proctor is one of the most high-profile females within the Asia-Pacific golfing industry.
She said: “There are clear and demonstrated benefits to growing the sport through increased engagement of women in participation, on committees, in management and leadership positions and this extends to women who are actively involved in the profession of agronomy and club management.”
Keen to break down barriers in what continues to be perceived as a male-dominated industry, Proctor believes opportunities abound for women to assert themselves in the many different business segments within the sport.
She said: “I don’t think that many young ladies understand that a career in golf is an opportunity.
“If someone hadn’t approached me when I was younger and asked if I would consider a role in golf sales, I would never have ended up in golf. But it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.
“A lot of women I meet that are working in the golf sector have started their careers in an alternative industry and then transitioned, rather than making a conscious decision at a school age to pursue a career in golf.
“As an industry, we need to be more active in schools and colleges to let people know of the options that are available to them and what skill sets are required.”
Formed in 2010, the AGIF has members and partners involved in all facets of the industry throughout Asia. The Federation seeks to assist the golf industry in Asia to take the next step in development toward a sustainable industry.
Among the signatories to The R&A Women in Golf Charter are The PGA of Great Britain & Ireland, Sports Marketing Surveys and Syngenta, all members of the AGIF.
