Golf News

WWG Magazine ISSUE #7: OUT NOW

Estate Living, Golf & Travel, Golf Courses, Golf Development, Golf Fashion, Golf News, Golf Rules

WELCOME TO ISSUE 7 OF WE WOMEN GOLF MAGAZINE! With great pleasure, I bring to you issue 7 of We Women Golf Magazine, a publication dedicated to celebrating the triumphs, challenges, and remarkable stories of women in the golfing community. As we navigate through these ever-changing times, one thing remains constant: the power of women in the sport of golf. We have witnessed incredible achievements and breakthroughs on and off the green. Our magazine strives to showcase female golfers’ talents, determination, and sheer brilliance, from seasoned professionals to rising stars. In the pages of We Women Golf Magazine, you will discover a wealth of engaging content designed to inspire, inform, and entertain. Our team of talented writers, photographers, and industry experts work tirelessly to bring you the latest news, in-depth features, exclusive interviews, and practical tips to enhance your golfing experience. IN THE SPIRIT OF INCLUSIVITY In the spirit of inclusivity, We Women Golf Magazine embraces the diversity that enriches our golfing landscape. We celebrate golfers of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and cultures. It is our firm belief that the strength of our magazine lies in the unity and shared love for the game that unites us all. As we continue on this journey together, we promise to keep pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and shattering stereotypes. Our mission is to empower women in golf and advocate for equality, paving the way for future generations to excel in this incredible sport. I invite you to immerse yourself in the captivating world of women’s golf through the pages of We Women Golf Magazine. Let us inspire and motivate each other, as we strive for excellence, sportsmanship, and the sheer joy of the game. Thank you for being a part of our community. Your unwavering support fuels our passion to deliver the best content possible. Together, we can make a lasting impact and shape the future of women’s golf. Happy Golfing…Charlene

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THE PGA SHOW CELEBRATES ITS FEMININE SIDE

Golf Fashion, Golf News

With 80 female business owners exhibiting at the 2023 edition, the presence and participation of women in the PGA Show, the largest annual international business event of the sport, is more prevalent and relevant every year. I mentor a few of the women entrepreneurs from companies that are here on the floor. I’m watching them slowly grow and just like I’ve been mentored by other women in business. There’s just more of us now,” said Jane Spicer, connected to the golf industry for 44 years as the CEO of Daphne’s Headcovers. For Spicer, who has been exhibiting at the Show in Orlando for over 30 years and is one of the longest-running female CEOs in golf, the growth of women’s participation in the sport and the industry is the reason for celebration. “It is something to absolutely celebrate, that we can come together supporting and uplifting each other. It is exciting to see innovative and smart women doing wonderful things,” she added. Ali Putnam, Founder of A. Putnam, an apparel company for women that uses luxurious fabrics and garments to honour the tradition of golf, is one of those new innovators. “This is our launch. I have been working on this for a year, but I can’t even say that I have been in business longer than a few days,” said Putnam, who used the occasion of the PGA Show to start her business and launch her brand. According to the National Golf Foundation, the percentage of women on the course rose to 25% in 2021, up from 19% a decade ago. Tami Fujii, Co-Founder of Kinona, a golf apparel brand started in 2017 to cater to women as they go through body changes and shifts in their lives, is very aware of the evolution of female participation in golf. “It is an underserved demographic, and we really want to make sure that we are focusing on their needs. We want women to really feel empowered and to welcome all women to the game of golf,” said Fujii, an outspoken supporter of the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the only national junior golf program that specializes in providing girl-friendly environments for juniors to learn the game of golf. THE GROWTH OF FEMALE PARTICIPATION With more than 500 sites around North America, Girls Golf has become one of the main catalyzers of the growth in female participation in the game. The reach of the program has increased by 1,800% since 2010 and now more than 35%, or more than 1,1 million, of the junior golfers in the US are girls. Lucky In Love, a Miami-Based women’s sports clothing brand that offers bright colours, fun patterns, and vibrant energy to golf enthusiasts, is the official apparel sponsor of Girls Golf. “We are excited to work with them. We had a bunch of girls come to our office and design their own skirts.It is really fun to see all their designs come to light,” said Andrea Cherniak, Director of Sales and Marketing at Lucky In Love, presenting at the Show for the fourth time. Golf legend Nancy Lopez started playing golf at a time when there were not even clubs made specifically for women. “I had a meeting with Arnold Palmer and decided to start a women’s line of golf clubs. Our focus has always been on women, not just the clubs, but now also with the clothing line,” said Lopez about the origins of Nancy Lopez Golf. “The PGA Show gives great visibility to the brand. Coming here with all these other amazing companies is just very special. We’ve had great traction and had people really appreciate the clothing, touch, and feel it,” added Brooke Bauer, Director of Golf at Nancy Lopez Golf. For Melissa Thrasher, VP of Thrasher Golf, a leading manufacturer and supplier of driving range equipment founded in 1980, the PGA Show is an opportunity to see old customers and make new connections. “They are always surprised to hear that we are a woman-owned business and that someone like me can know about how a ball washer operates,” said Thrasher. “Over the last eight years, we have been seeing more and more female reps and businesses led by women. It is a really exciting time in the industry for women,” she added. Sheilagh Wilson, Founder of Birdie Balou, which makes fun and functional styled golf gear and accessories designed in the USA, shares the same excitement. “Everybody wants something new and different, and the women’s product is just fresh, and it is bringing a little more life to what might be already out there,” said Wilson. Top Knot, creator of a golf cap for women to wear their hair high or down thanks to a magnetic back closure, is part of those fresh and lively new products for women. “Our experience with the PGA Show has been amazing. We have been seeing so many buyers and opening so many accounts, and we just keep going,” said Tori Lord, Owner of Top Knot, about her company’s debut at the PGA Show. MORE WOMEN SHOULD ENTER THE WORLD OF GOLF “I should have come to the PGA Show a long time ago,” said Wilma Erskine, with 40 years in the golf industry, most of them as the General Manager of Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the site of the past 148th and the upcoming 153rd Open Championship. Esrkine, now an international consultant for golf destinations, wants to encourage more women to enter the golf world and looks forward to coming back to the PGA Show every year to “celebrate the increase in female participation in golf and the golf industry.”

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INTRODUCING GOLFRSA #1: KYRA VAN KAN

Golf News

KYRA VAN KAN South Africa’s top ranked Kyra van Kan began 2022 with a sixth-place finish in the SA Women’s Stroke Play Championship and a runner-up finish in the SA Women’s Amateur Championship and the 16-year-old teenage golf prodigy never let up, capping a watershed season with her fifth victory in the KwaZulu-Natal Junior Championship in December. Van Kan supported her upward trajectory with no less than six runner-up finishes on the local circuit, while also flying the flag for South Africa four times on the international stage. Making her debut this January in the Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational presented by Rolex in Florida, Kyra holds the No 1 position on both the GolfRSA Open Amateur and Junior Rankings. We chatted with the GolfRSA National Squad standout about her first international experiences abroad last year, her goals for this season and the secrets to her success in 2022. GolfRSA asks: Kyra, congratulations on a phenomenal season with so many highlights, and the crowning moment must be winning the Gilly Tebbutt Trophy as the leading Open Amateur for 2022 at the end of the SA Women’s Inter-Provincial. Have you had any time to reflect on this achievement? KYRA: Yes, the feeling is amazing. It is a surreal feeling to know that I have achieved such a special award. Winning the Gilly Tebbutt trophy really means the world to me because all the long hours and hard work that I put into my golf has finally paid off. I am extremely honoured to have my name on a trophy award alongside so many great golfers. GolfRSA: You won the Ekurhuleni Open and Junior Championships, the Mpumalanga Women’s Open, the KwaZulu-Natal Amateur Women’s Golf Championship and the KwaZulu-Natal Junior Championships in 2022, and only finished outside the top five twice. This speaks to a greater level of consistency – what has been the change for you to get to this point? KVK: Before the golf season started, I set myself a list of goals that I wanted to achieve in 2022. These goals included placing in the top five, but as the year progressed and playing numerous tournaments, I did not pressure myself to do well and did not focus on where I would finish in the tournament. I just took each hole on the course one at a time. I went out there, relaxed and trusted myself. The more tournaments you play, the more confident you will feel and begin to realize your full potential. I enjoy tournaments; I adore the feeling of butterflies you have when you stand on the first tee box or even the pressure you experience on the last hole when you are leading a tournament. Having a clear mindset and being surrounded by nature is what makes me feel calm and collected on the golf course. GOLFRSA: There was quite a bit of international travel on your agenda, too. You were a member of the winning GolfRSA Junior Protea team at the 2022 All Africa Junior Golf Championship, you represented South Africa in the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan, and you played in two tournaments – the St Andrews Junior Girls Open and the R&A Girls Amateur – in Scotland. What was it like to test yourself on the international stage and what did you enjoy the most? KYRA: The international travels I have had this year were unforgettable experiences. The All Africa Junior Golf Championship, held in Egypt, was my first international experience and putting on the green blazer for the first time put the brightest smile on my face because this was one of my biggest dreams. TEAM SOUTH AFRICA BROUGHT HOME THE GOLD! Next up, was the big one – the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup. It was a long trip to Japan, around forty hours of flying, bus riding and layovers. When we finally arrived at Cocopa Resort and Golf Course, everything about the place was indescribably perfect. The golf course was in the best condition. When the tournament rolled around it was a wakeup call for me. I played with some of the top ranked girls in the world and realised how good my competition was. I asked the girls I played with a lot of questions, wondering how they got here to this impeccable level of golf. The tournament taught me a few lessons such as to not come to a big event such as this one with extremely grand expectations. This trip was a long time away from home and my family. I learnt from this how to depend on myself more and trust the decisions I make. I needed to control my mindset more on the course because I did not really know anybody besides my teammates. But I soon made good friends from Canada and Colombia. The weather in Japan was very humid compared to Egypt, and it rained for a few of the days while we were there. One of my highlights from the trip was playing Table Tennis against an Olympic gold medallist and getting a single point. But what I will most certainly not forget is having sushi on my plate every night. My most memorable trip was playing at the Home of Golf in Scotland. I went with fellow National Squad player Gabbi Venter, and we became very close on that trip because it was just Gabbi, President Sarah Braude from Womens Golf South Africa and myself. ST. ANDREWS TOWN Entering the town of St Andrews gave me goosebumps because it was such a magical place and I felt so fortunate to represent my country there.Unfortunately, my first tournament in Scotland felt like a bump in the road as I missed the cut and could not proceed to the Matchplay. However, I got to watch Gabbi lift the trophy and I could not have been happier for her. We celebrated by eating an entire tub of Haagen Daaz ice cream that night. The conditions in Scotland were very tough, especially

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GOLF & SPONSORSHIPS

Golf News, Magazine

Sponsorships are a critical component of any golf event As they provide financial support and branding opportunities for both the event and the sponsoring company. Here are some of the ways sponsorships can have a significant impact on a golf event: FINANCIAL SUPPORT Golf events require significant resources to be successful, such as course rental fees, equipment, and staffing costs. Sponsors can provide much-needed financial support that can help cover these expenses, making the event more feasible and successful. BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES Branding Opportunities: Sponsorships can provide a great opportunity for companies to get their name and logo in front of a large audience. Golf events often attract a high-profile audience, including business executives, high-net-worth individuals, and celebrities. By sponsoring an event, companies can increase their brand awareness and potentially gain new customers. HOSPITALITY OPPORTUNITIES Sponsors often receive hospitality opportunities at golf events, such as exclusive access to VIP areas or the opportunity to host a corporate hospitality tent. These hospitality opportunities can provide an excellent environment for networking and building relationships with potential clients. ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS Sponsors may receive advertising and promotional opportunities at golf events, such as having their logos displayed on the golf course or on event signage. These advertising opportunities can help increase brand recognition and reinforce the sponsor’s brand message. Overall, sponsorships play a crucial role in the success of golf events. They provide financial support, branding opportunities, hospitality opportunities, and advertising and promotional opportunities, all of which can have a significant impact on the success of the event and the sponsor’s business.

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LPGA INTERNATIONAL: CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP

Golf Event, Golf News

The Chevron Championship and The Woodlands seek to raise the bar for women’s golf The Club at Carlton Woods will host the first major of the year from April 20-23. The enthusiasm of the title sponsor and the local community is bringing the Chevron Championship to a brand-new venue, The Club Carlton Woods, in The Woodlands, Texas. Just a few weeks before the start of this first major of the year, the excitement of Chevron and its employees, the members and staff of Carlton Woods, and the residents of The Woodlands is setting the stage for a memorable LPGA event. “It was really a natural fit as we looked at our portfolio of external engagements in the sports area. This is a real opportunity for us to raise the bar with women’s tournaments,” said Josetta Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Chevron, which became the new title sponsor of the former ANA Inspiration through a six-year relationship with the LPGA that began in 2022. THE NEXT CHAPTER Jones, born and raised in the Houston area –and moving back to Texas after a period in California– will join a large Chevron employee base in the area, eager to volunteer and attend the tournament with their families and children. “As a large Fortune 500 company we support women; we support women athletics. Given the gravitas of this event and what it has done for women’s golf, we want to show that we are equally as committed to being the next chapter for this major,” added Jones about the history of a tournament with 14 champions inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame. According to Stacy Lewis, another Houston native and winner of the Chevron Championship in 2011 (then Kraft Nabisco), “the members and the club management at Carlton Woods are thrilled to have been chosen to host a Major Championship. Having the support of both the club and The Woodlands community will be crucial to establishing this as a wonderful major venue for the new era ahead.” the perfect stage for the next chapter of the LPGA’s first major of the season. For Lewis, captain of the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Solheim Cup Teams, who will be participating in her sixteenth Chevron Championship from April 20-23, “being able to compete in a major in front of my friends, family and community is pretty special.” Hosting a major championship is no small feat, but The Club at Carlton Woods seems to be the perfect stage for the next chapter of the LPGA’s first major of the season.

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Digital Scoring Made Easy

Golf News, Golf Rules, Golf Scoring

with the Scorecapture App Many a golfer has grown up wishing they could compete at the highest level alongside the worlds best. Imagine if you could partner with the best golfers in the world in a major, playing courses like Augusta National or The Old Course. At ScoreCapture we wanted to change the fantasy sports world to make it more of a reality. We launched our Fantasy Betterball leaderboard for the 2022 Masters using our free digital scoring platform already utilized nationally by individuals, societies, golf clubs and tournament administrators. Our premise was simple; to allow the average golfer to choose their favourite golfer for the Sunday round of a Major. They could also choose their best score from the week of that major and we create a betterball leaderboard with the Sunday scores for all those stars making the cut. We will be running this competition for every major going forward, the next opportunity to pick your pro will be for the 2023 PGA Championship hosted at the Oak Hill Country Club in May. What better way to generate even more excitement around the four biggest golf events of the year. A world-first in the digital golf scoring evolution and more incentive to stay up to the early hours seeing who will lift the trophy.

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