Professional women are wising up to the power of golf as a way of getting ahead in business, according to new figures from Oxford Hotels & Inns, owners of Carnoustie Golf Hotel. At the same time comes word that the first European chapter of the Executive Women’s Golf Association has opened in Paris.
Scott Graham, Oxford Hotels’ group golf manager and head PGA golf professional, comments, “We’re seeing a big change in golfing culture. Just five years ago we wouldn’t have had any women taking part in our corporate golf events, but now almost 20% are women and that’s increasing all the time as more women become regular players.”
Women’s membership at clubs across the county has grown as the traditional weekday players are joined by professional working women, who see golf as a great networking opportunity and play to mix business with pleasure at the weekends.
Sara Stagg, pro shop manager and golf instructor at Oxford Hotel’s Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey comments, “We’re seeing professional women with the confidence to play men at their own game – and they’re just as competitive – using golf to build relationships with their clients, networking and picking up new business leads and contacts.”
Meanwhile in Paris the first European chapter of the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) announces that it has already recruited 33 members and established an ongoing calendar of activities.
They will hold monthly “EWGA Friday des Femmes” at the L‘Isle Adam Golf Club which will include a business workshop and networking lunch followed by golf, as well as golf clinics at Golf de l‘Ile Fleurie.
Founded in 1991 by Maureen Rabotin of Effective Global Leadership, the EWGA provides opportunities for women to learn, play, and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life. There are currently 120 chapters throughout the United States and two Canadian chapters. EWGA chapters provide a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for both new and experienced golfers.
Members enjoy a welcoming environment, golf education and player development, and organized play programs as well as the opportunity to compete in the EWGA Championship, considered the world’s largest women’s amateur golf competition. Other benefits include special pricing from golf facilities participating in the EWGA Golf Club Network and access to the EWGA ‘members only‘ database.
“As an avid golfer and a global executive coach, I work with companies who are going through the globalization process. EWGA offers the work/life balance I was looking for and the opportunity to be involved in the globalization of the association,” says Rabotin. “What a wonderful reason to play more golf and help other women get involved in the game for both personal and professional benefits.”
“With the addition of EWGA-France, our association is becoming a global network for golf, social and business connections,” says Pam Swensen, the CEO of the EWGA. “We take great pride in our long established Canadian chapters, and are looking forward to welcoming more chapters and working women who share a passion for golf from throughout the world.”
The EWGA is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information about the association and membership, visit www.ewga.com