Women In Golf Awards

Monday, 17 February 2025 – The Women in Golf Awards is partnering with global golf recruitment specialists Colt McKenzie McNair (CMM) and professional development experts Bernhard Academy to host a unique insight and education day for the 2024 Awards finalists.

Beyond offering an invaluable experience for the 24 finalists, this collaboration aims to drive growth in female representation within the golf industry by identifying barriers that deter women from considering careers in the sport.

“Our industry is incredibly reliant on instinct rather than insight and data, particularly when it comes to women playing and working in golf,” explains Nicole Wheatley, founder of the Women in Golf Awards. “If we want to see positive change, we need to attract, employ, and retain more women across the board. We are very lucky to have sponsors who are genuinely passionate about learning how we can do that, so I am excited to work with them, CMM, Bernhard Academy, and the finalists to better understand this market.”

The education day, held at PING HQ, is part of a broader initiative by the Women in Golf Awards to strengthen professional networks for women in the industry. Additional efforts include meet-ups at key industry events, a regular newsletter, and the promotion of partner-led initiatives to provide ongoing support.

“Working in golf can be quite isolating for women, so having the opportunity to connect with others and share our lived experiences is extremely valuable,” comments Sami Strutt, Education Director at Bernhard Academy. “The education we have planned for the day will help participants better understand their own strengths and enhance their professional relationships. We know from previous sessions that people feel empowered with new skills they can apply immediately, making this an incredibly valuable experience.”

The day will conclude with an open discussion led by the finalists, where they will share personal experiences and challenges to generate insights that could encourage more women to pursue careers in golf.

“While many organisations in the industry are eager to hire more women, there remains a gap in understanding how to effectively achieve this goal and inspire women to pursue opportunities within their teams,” comments Adam Keable, Director at CMM. “This discussion will provide valuable insights, helping us better understand the support women need and the challenges they may face when considering job opportunities. This is a significant opportunity for the industry, so hopefully, we can take a step closer to realising this.”