Sarah Bennett (centre), former PGA Captain, WGD UK Ambassador and host at Lexden Golf Club
Women’s Golf Day (WGD) celebrations came to a close last week, but the impact resonates around the globe and the program continues all year long.
WGD’s website platform and social media continues to engage and empower women and girls daily and help connect new and existing golfers with golf locations, lessons, league play, family options and community.
WGD registered golf facilities that hosted events have an interactive profile page on the WGD website all year long to promote everything the facility has to offer from tee times and women’s events to travel.
“Women’s Golf Day has evolved over the years. The registered locations hosting WGD events celebrate our birthday, but the Women’s Golf Day platform and team runs throughout the year. Our platform is a trusted resource connecting women with facilities, to our partners, a place where they can find ongoing programs and schools, look for places where they get fitted for clubs, go to a professional golf tournament like PGA TOUR, European Tour, Solheim or Open event, book golf and cultural trips and so much more.
“We have created an environment where women feel comfortable, supported and excited about golf. Women golf daily and so do we – we are more than just a day, more than a week,” comments WGD founder, Elisa Gaudet.
“Women’s Golf Day is a testament to the incredible power of sport to unite and inspire. This day celebrates not just the game of golf, but the community and camaraderie that accompany it. We are inspired by the passion and dedication of our PGA Golf Professionals who work tirelessly to advance inclusion in the game,” commented Sandy Cross, Chief People Person, PGA of America.
PGA Members around the world have been using WGD as a platform to encourage more women to play, all year round. One of those is Jennifer MacKinnon, Assistant Professional Earl Grey GC who held her first WGD event four years ago and it is now a ‘can’t miss’ calendar event with more than 100 women attending each year.
“Women’s Golf Day is a celebration of the journey from picking up your first club to inspiring the next generation. From my first swing and into my professional career, I’ve seen the power of community and support in this sport. At Earl Grey Golf Club, our growing ladies league, ladies learn to golf program and incredible team of professionals, which includes 3 females, exemplify what it means to foster and empower women in golf. Here’s to every girl, woman, and volunteer who makes this journey possible—Women’s Golf Day isn’t just a day, it’s every day and I look forward to being a part of the growth for years to come.”
Sarah Bennett, former PGA Captain, WGD UK Ambassador and host at Lexden Golf Club also believes that Women’s Golf Day is the perfect opportunity to bring women into the sport and for PGA Members to be part of their journey
She explains, “The key is to create an environment where they all feel comfortable, not isolated and let’s face it seeing hundreds of women all over the world who are just like you is a great way of creating a community. The women who played at Lexden arrived quiet and self-conscious, but left bubbling with excitement. One woman came with a golf glove – the only equipment she owned – and the next day she’d bought a set of clubs and was booking into my next session!”
Brands are also benefitting from the year-long conversation they have with WGD participants through social media and direct communication via the VIP Membership and WGD Connect platforms. Nick McInally, VP Global Marketing, Callaway Golf commented after this year’s events, “Congratulations to the entire WGD team. The ongoing commitment to getting more women playing the game of golf is one that we passionately share here at Callaway, and we are proud to partner with them on another record-breaking year”.
Locations that are investing time and passion into the women’s game are now reaping the rewards. One fantastic example is Swan Lake Golf Course. Four years ago the location started hosting WGD with 10 women. They didn’t even have enough women to set up a league. Fast forward to 2024 and they have built their membership to carry 2 leagues and had to run 2 WGD days for them!
WGD 2025 is the tenth anniversary and will take place from May 27 – June 3. Locations registering today will benefit from year-round access to the website where they can promote and market all of their tee times, pro shop activities, travel and internal events to a highly engaged women’s audience. To sign up simply visit: www.womensgolfday.com/register
