Sarah Bennett is a former PGA Captain (2022), Golf Monthly UK Top 50 Coach and current WPGA Chair. Sarah has been a regular attendee to the PGA Golf Show spanning over 25 visits. A former Tour player on the Futures and Ladies European Tour, she has strong affiliations with the area.
Her 30 years of PGA membership playing, coaching and voluntary work enabled her to relay her knowledge to a diverse and Professional audience during the Women’s Golf Day hour panel discussion.
Sarah was invited to join the panel by the founder of Women’s Golf Day, Elisa Gaudet, who with her team ensures the golf industry are updated on the positive impact Women’s Golf Day and other associations are making worldwide.
The panel discussion focussed upon the importance and positive impact Women have on our industry both financially and from a participation perspective.
The panel included Kim Alexis, ‘Supermodel’ of the 1970s and 80s who appeared on the cover of a number of popular magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Sports Illustrated.
Kim has recently started playing the game, so she spoke about her experiences as a new golfer highlighting both the challenges and also the enormous benefits the game provides.
Sarah told GBN: “The varied Challenges and perceptions new golfers face in the UK are the same worldwide, there were many points raised such as on course “playing numbers” which is an interesting concept. Kim felt additional forward tee placements to accommodate first-time course players would be advantageous. I would like to see minimal rough ahead of the forward tees enhancing confidence for the new golfer; too much time is spent in the range working on the technicalities rather than learning to play the game.
“One area I spoke about touched upon the retention of new golfers which is the area, in my opinion, requiring new fresh ideas and implementation by clubs. The academy membership is critical to ensure a structured approach going forwards as are role models at all levels.
“The main topic headline was centred around the economic impact Women have on the game and how we can continue to link the activities within this sector. A key area for myself are my Women’s Golf Schools which I have been organising and delivering for over 15 years now. The Economic spend on this activity alone is substantial with many other spends associated with golf as a family activity.”
Rachel Carter, Senior Director of Membership from the National Golf Course Owners Association spoke at length of her experience with Sarah backing up her coaching experience when conversing to businesswomen about the lack of golfing opportunities being offered in the work place to Women.
“I have personally seen an increase in Women interested in participating in historically male dominated golf days, this as we are aware can impact the working environment in a positive way. My parting advice is “Don’t be shy to shout out and share your success stories, we should and need to support each other.”