Women's golf has grown exponentially over the past several years and it continues to soar. One important reason for this is the support initiatives that groups and organizations have implemented to help grow the game in a comfortable and non-threatening environment.
I had the opportunity to witness this firsthand when the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA), the Southern California PGA (SCPGA) section and PGA Magazine partnered to present the first Southern California Women's Golf Summit in May of 2018 at Industry Hills GC at Pacific Palms Resort. It was a complementary event focused on ideas and connections that grow the game of golf on the local level for women. The event was open to PGA and LPGA members, businesswomen, amateurs and golf leaders in California. It included special guests, networking opportunities and a comfortable environment in which women could share ideas and their passion for the great game of golf.
Not only was the event a huge success, but it was made abundantly clear that there was a need and a market for more. Other PGA sections started to follow suit and modeled local events after the Southern California Women's Golf Summit as more women flocked to the game.
And then COVID hit. A pivot was made, and a digital version of the Women's Golf Summit was offered. Not only was the response every bit as positive as the in-person event, but the benefits of an online series of these summits became obvious.
I have contained my excitement long enough, and I'm bursting at the seams to announce that the SCGA and SCPGA have agreed to join forces in conducting the 2022-23 Women's Golf Summit Speaker Series in an on-demand format. Yours truly will be the host of this quarterly offering that will include exciting guests, engaging conversations and current topics as we continue our discussions throughout the year.
Participants and viewers will have access to the summit online after it airs so they can watch (and rewatch) whenever they choose. The networking aspect will take place through digital member communications. Viewers/participants are encouraged to submit questions and topic ideas in an effort to ensure interviews and discussions are relevant to current interests.
The first series is slated to kick off on or before Women's Golf Day on June 7. Stay tuned for further details and information. I look forward talking with you throughout the year.