West Palm Beach, Florida, United States: From Australia to the United States, Delhi to Dubai and South Africa to Switzerland, International Women’s Golf Day (WGD) has grown in scope and size, increasing its global reach by 68% in only its second year.
Thousands of women from Silicon Valley to Wall Street to the Square Mile in London will converge in 46 countries at more than 691 locations for the one-day event on June 6.
The 2017 event venues include public and private golf courses, driving ranges and retail outlets around the globe.
All locations will conduct a two-hour golf clinic or offer a nine-hole round of golf, and will culminate with a two-hour social affair where the expected 50,000-plus participating women can network and socialise.
Elisa Gaudet, WGD Founder, said: “We’ve discovered that female business professionals who take up the game of golf soon recognise the value it brings when it comes to customer engagement and future business development.
“It’s important that women have a positive experience when playing golf, regardless of their level of experience and Women’s Golf Day caters to all levels and imparts camaraderie.”
Gaudet is thrilled at the rapid expansion, but not surprised by the worldwide interest.
She said: “For a while the industry was looking at ways to engage women. I am elated and proud that this one-day international event has introduced thousands of new female golfers to the sport and impassioned existing golfers while transcending language, culture, religion and race to celebrate golf, women, and community.
“It is also important for the golf industry to understand women make up 85% of all consumer purchases and the important role they play as economic influencers for the family. The big-ticket items for the golf industry are home purchases in golf communities, country club memberships, and golf vacations where women have a definitive say in the making of those decisions.”
Matt Corey, PGA Tour Superstore CMO, said: “We’re thrilled at the opportunity to support this global movement and encourage women to see the benefits of golf for enriching relationships.
“We stock our stores with more equipment, apparel and footwear specifically for women than any other golf store on the planet, and we do that for a reason.”
Partners and supporting organisations of the trans-national event include the International Golf Federation, World Golf Foundation, LPGA, Ladies European Tour, European Tour Properties, TPC, NGCOA, EGCOA, ClubCorp, Billy Casper Golf, PGA Tour Superstore, Ahead, EWGA, WIGI, International Council of Nurses, All Square, Expert Golf, and Troon International, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.