As golf has gained popularity over the last decade, more and more people entered the industry, especially more women. While golf -- indeed sports in general -- was long a man's world, now a growing number of courses, clubmakers and companies have women in primary positions. But it wasn't until late last year that women had their own group in the industry, called, simply enough, Women in the Golf Industry or WIGI.
"Forming the group was really my daughter's idea," said Kathlene Bissell, a founding member and representative for the new group. "I called Alice Dye about another matter and in the course of the conversation asked her what she thought of it. Alice thought it was a wonderful idea and that it was worth doing if we did nothing but network. Hopefully, we will be able to do other things, but Alice suggested that networking alone was something women in the golf industry had not done to date and that there were now enough women in a variety of industry groups who could provide sounding boards and support systems for other women who might come along after all of us."
From that unauspicious beginning in December last year, the group has grown to between 70 and 80 members. Most areas in the industry are covered by at least one person.
"I had calls and emails and heard from women all over the country who were doing things that I was unaware women were doing in golf," Bissell said. "Women own golf courses, make clubs, repair clubs, raise money for developers, take care of courses -- as well as some of the areas I did know about, which include everything from owning retail stores, to designing coures to teaching to sales to working in the media."
Group members met informally at the PGA Merchandise Show in January, and have plans for networking tools like a member directory and a Web site that will include bulletin boards so members can leave messages for each other. Plans for a tournament and travel opportunities for members are also in the works.
"In addition, (the group) may become a place where members can make employment opportunities known to other members," Bissell said. "I have had several individuals call saying they have a slot and would like to have a woman on staff but don't know how to find one."
New members lend their talents and skills to help the group. Jennifer Mills, a broadcaster at The Golf Channel, offered to take a different role and be an interviewee discussing the new group on air. Terry Gamer, owner of The Hole View, a yardage book company, visits trade shows meeting with potential members and handing out applications. Founding member Pat Baldwin, who is Editor-in-Chief of Private Clubs, the lifestyle magazine of ClubCorp, is writing bylaws for the group. Every new face has something to lend to the group, Bissell said.
"It's probably one of those things where you get out of it in proportion to what you put into it and to the willingness you have to contact members and get to know them and their businesses," Bissell said. "For instance, our member who owns the yardage guide business may be able to work with our member who owns courses. Our founder who does pr for Adams Golf (MaryBeth Lacy) and our member Joanne Miller from Tour Edge, may be contacts for our teaching professionals who want to buy clubs for members or students. Our travel specialist member, Dove Jones, can set up any number of members or members and their friends for a trip -- particularly a golf trip -- anyplace in the world.
"If we are smart staying in touch with each other and offering to help members take advantage of what each of us know how to do, we may find business is smoother and better and leisure is even more pleasant."
Although the group works exclusively for women's interests, men are welcome to join as associate members.
Those in the golf industry interested in joining the networking group can contact Bissell via email at golfshow@bellsouth.net or by calling 904-273-8078.
