Sisters Are Doin’ It FORE Themselves!
We (Medi8) have been in business for 10 years and we (Nicole and I) have worked in the golf industry for 20 & 12 years respectively. As women in a predominantly male environment we have had our fair share of comments and had assumptions made about us based on our sex. I’m pleased to say that these occurrences are few and far between nowadays and like at golf clubs, women are becoming an integral part of the industry.
Negativity surrounds women in golf, from elite level down to the average club golfer, we hear many stories surrounding equality whether that be for tee times or column inches. But while all this negativity reigns there are so many great stories, stories that need to be told & shouted about! The growth of women’s golf and women within the golf industry provides us all with such a great opportunity.
It was as we celebrated our (Medi8’s) 10th Anniversary that Nicole and I had time to reflect on the industry that we work in. What we started to realise is that as women in the golf industry we have a responsibility to have the courage to change things. We decided to throw ourselves into it, go out of our comfort zones and start making a change. On the whole we have found the whole experience quite liberating! This is because, unlike what we first thought, we are not alone! There are many other women out there whether it be from an industry perspective or a playing perspective who feel the same.
In January, we were invited to the launch of the LPGA Women’s Network, a 7am breakfast at the PGA Show, where we were in a room full of hundreds of women who all work in the industry. Real jaw dropping stuff when you’re not used to it, and an eye opening experience. We’re looking forward to working with the Network to share ideas and experiences and use their platform to celebrate women in golf.
We also started a passion project; a project that will focus on women who work in and want to work within the golf industry. It’s very much a work in progress at the moment but it was discussing this project with others that has opened doors & discussions. This included attending the first GCMA Women’s Leadership Group meeting in March where we met some fantastic female ambassadors for the golf industry.
Our association with Women’s Golf Day has given us a global view on how women can come together as a community. The very fact that we can have a day where women and girls golf is firmly on everyone’s agenda is fantastic and not something we could have envisaged 20 years ago. It may seem like a feminist movement but it acts as a platform to showcase women’s golf to the entire golf community. It’s next Tuesday, the 5th June, if you don’t already have it in your diary!
The next exciting chapter for us will be working with The PGA. We have created a campaign to support their golf development campaign targeting women and families. We Love Golf is going to take a refreshing approach as the project isn’t about challenging the stereotypes and age old traditions of golf. We’re going to be celebrating the very people who work tirelessly to get people playing golf and the women who find so much benefit from taking part in this life long sport. Hearing stories from The PGA’s members is really inspiring and we are very proud to support them.
Earlier this week we found ourselves at the launch of the R&A’s Women in Golf Charter. To be rubbing shoulders with the very people who have inspired us to be a bit braver and have the confidence to challenge the status quo was incredible. It really is an exciting time to be a woman within the golf industry. After all these years of feeling like second class citizens we knew it was about time that we (Nicole & I) did something about it and we can’t wait to see what the next year holds!
Connect Socially – @Medi8Emma & @Medi8Nicole
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