At least 180 women and other supporters of women’s golf kicked the PGA Show off Wednesday morning at the PGA Magazine Women Leaders Platform’s annual networking event. The standing room only crowd was there to celebrate not only the rise in women playing the game but also those who have ascended to executive positions in unprecedented numbers.
“We’ve gone from 70 people attending the first meeting in 2016 to over 1,000 people involved in the platform,” said Susan Bond, PGA, Manager of the Women Leaders Platform. “When you look around this room, it becomes clear that anything you set your mind to do in golf is possible.”
Among the highlights of the event was a quick visit from PGA President Don Rea, who spoke of the impact women are having on golf and his hopes for his own 22-year-old daughter. “As you walk the show and see someone who isn’t in this room, make sure you tell them to be part of it next year,” he said. “It’s so cool to see this organization grow and grow.”
Another highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring the eight women who hold Executive Director positions in PGA Sections across the industry. Each spoke about their journey in golf, encouraging women in the room to step out of their comfort zone.
“My advice to you is to get comfortable being uncomfortable and ‘burn your boats,’ an expression about committing to a course of action and not giving yourself the option to retreat,” said Ali Wells, Executive Director of the Gateway PGA Section.
Tori Schiro, Executive Director of the Western New York PGA Section, encouraged the group to advocate for themselves and other women, saying, “I hope this will empower everyone to feel they can go back to their Section and speak up. Being the only woman in the boardroom is tough, so learn to lean on each other and mentor each other to really make a change.”
Many attending the event walked out with new inspiration, including Cathy Matthews-Kane, PGA of America General Manager at the Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs. “I’m so proud of all the efforts of everyone in this room to invite more women to the table,” she said. “The growth in our numbers speaks for itself.”
Program sponsors were Belyn Key, gotobermuda.com, bioesque, the PGA of America, Rhone, Signs by the Sea, StrackaLine and XXIO.