On Wednesday, GCM's editor-in-chief, Ed Hiscock, posted a story about the declining number of golfers in the U.S., and today GCM's associate editor, Darcy DeVictor wrote about women in golf. Well, I have good news. Some staff members at GCSAA headquarters are doing their best to counteract the trend of declining numbers and also boost the population of women golfers.
For more than 10 years, GCSAA has offered staffers golf lessons at a reduced rate. Family members can also join in the fun if they pay the full cost. Lessons are offered for beginners and more experienced players, and GCSAA's golf league swings into action in early June with tee times every other week and two low-key tournaments in July and September.
So far, 15 staff members have signed up for lessons this year, and all but one are female. Some of the ladies are definitely newbies. According to Julie Sigourney, GCSAA's brand marketing production specialist and the organizer of the golf lessons, Noel Hall, coordinator for the environmental group, has bravely signed up for lessons even though she has never picked up a club. Other beginners include membership marketing manager Sara Cameron, who took lessons last year, and CEO Mark Woodward's wife, Amy.
On the other end of the spectrum, the experienced group has only five players this year. including the sole male, employer programs manager Eric Neuteboom. Neuteboom has become used to being the only guy in the room since his wife gave birth to a baby girl a few months ago.
Sigourney is also in the experienced group and says that she loves golf and is pleased to have the opportunity to take some time for herself and enjoy the game.Teri Harris, managing director of development and another experienced player, confesses that she has tendency to top the ball and hopes to improve her game. (She is on the far left in the photo.) Harris grew up in western Kansas playing a nine-hole course with sand greens. She says, "My 82-year-old dad still plays the course every day."
A whopping 33 golfers (about one-third of the staff) have signed up to participate in the golf league and the two 9-hole tournaments later in the summer. The group, which includes 21 women and 12 men, will be enjoying Lawrence's three public golf courses throughout the season. Clearly, GCSAA employees are growing the game and supporting it.
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