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Quarterly Newsletter
Welcome to a new edition of our Quarterly Newsletter. Here, you will find information that can impact your golf experience, such as interviews with business leaders creating the latest products, developing the best properties or combining golf with Internet applications. We also welcome news useful to you from the great resorts we have visited throughout the years.
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to reflect on the improvements you made last year and to begin building on your advancements. We started My Golf Book to help ourselves and others improve their games by providing a central location to remember what techniques work for each golfer. We encourage you to reflect on your year, to set new goals and to strive to be better. If you have not begun using My Golf Book, now is the time to start this great and game-improving tradition.
This edition features an interview with Donna Hoffman, founder of Women on Course, www.womenoncourse.com. If you’re a woman and play golf, want to play golf or even heard of golf, Women on Course is a group you’ll want to meet. They not only organize fun golf events all over the country but they also host Spa Days, luncheons, weekend retreats and other networking events. So if you’re looking to meet like-minded women, just picking up the game, or simply seeking more of the golf lifestyle, Women on Course is for you.
My Golf Book: How did you start playing golf?
Donna Hoffman: I met a guy who introduced me to golf the right way. It wasn’t just him saying, here’s a ball, here’s a club, now swing and keep your head down. He started me at the driving range and made sure I could get the ball in the air. He made it a lot of fun for me. We went on a golf vacation and he introduced the game in a way to make sure I would enjoy it.
MGB: Do you get to play a lot and what is your favorite course?
DH: I don’t get to play as much as I used to. I really don’t have a favorite course but I play most of my golf at River Creek in Virginia. I like to play on vacation so anytime I can get away and play a new course, that’s my favorite course.
MGB: Do you have a steady golf group or do you play with various people?
DH: Husband and his buddies.
MGB: Do you have any hole-in-ones?
DH: No.
MGB: What is your favorite golf experience or memory?
DH: Pelican Hill at Newport Beach, California. The Pacific Ocean was near the first tee. It was so relaxing. It felt like heaven.
MGB: Describe the perfect day of golf.
DH: Nothing too early in the morning, maybe about 11:00am. The weather is perfect. The sun is shining and it’s about 75 degrees. I would be playing with 3 other people I really enjoy. It would be an awesome day of golf. Afterward we would go the 19th Hole for drinks and sit out on the veranda and recap the day. I would finish the day with a nice dinner.
MGB: Do you have a favorite 19th Hole location?
DH: Nothing too specific but I enjoy anything outside with a great view. The Four Seasons at Troon North outside Scottsdale comes to mind.
MGB: Does anything about golf annoy you?
DH: It’s somewhat intimidating when you see people behind you on the tee waiting for you to get out of the way. It makes me hurry up and not concentrate. Golf is not enjoyable when there are people looming from behind. Even when there are people in front of me and I can’t move any faster, as soon as someone catches me from behind, I lose concentration.
MGB: Who is in your ideal foursome?
DH: It would be fun to play with actresses who play golf, maybe someone like Cheryl Ladd. I’d stay away from tour players. They’re just too good.
MGB: How did Women on Course get started? What were your first steps?
DH: We started Women on Course in June 2006. I’m an entrepreneur by heart. Prior to Women on Course, I had a TV production gig. I had a friend from Florida who was working on a program called Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing in which women got together over a weekend and learned how to fish. I thought it was a great idea and that someone should do that for golf. I proposed a television series for women on the golf lifestyle. The concept was to visit resorts once a month and film golf lessons, learn about the golf lifestyle and interview celebrities that play golf. We made a pilot show which ended up airing on the Internet for AOL. In the six months the episodes aired online, we received over 30,000 emails from women across the country asking how to learn to play golf. There really was nowhere to send these women so we started a few Happy Hours to bring women together to talk about ideas and drum up support. One Happy Hour led to another and then spread to other cities.
MGB: Do you have any desire to get back into television?
DH: Yes, absolutely. It’s just a matter of funding for producing the content. Someone has already approached me to do Women on Course television. You can reach so many more people through television that we would love to do it. We didn’t make it onto TV six years ago but many things have changed now. We’re now a nationwide group with a growing following and a lot more access to resorts, courses and professionals. So funding hopefully will be easier to obtain the next time we shoot for TV.
MGB: How is it structured? Are there regional representatives?
DH: There are 2 event managers that attend and run the events nationwide. In 2010 we’ll have a full-time membership coordinator to help develop new membership and recruit local ambassadors around the country to set up the Play Days.
MGB: Can you share how many members there are?
DH: There are over 40,000 people in our database. These people get notified of our events. Over 8,000 have attended events in the past 3 years. We’ve only started having a membership option in the past 18 months but there are over 1,500 members.
MGB: What benefits does Women on Course provide?
DH: I think the number one reason people come is to spend time with interesting and fun people. There is a lot of networking with other women at the events. Since there are many events held away from golf courses, the events are great for women who are just starting to play golf, want to learn more or who are simply interested in the golf lifestyle. Members also receive business golf and lifestyle benefits. There are discounts on golf lessons, apparel and events. Members also receive a free swing analysis from GolfTEC and access to private clubs through the Club Corp network. The goal though is to keep adding events. Along with the perks, we want women to enjoy their experiences around golf during their first year or so of playing so that they stick with it.
MGB: What types of women join Women on Course? What is the average age? What is the age range? What is the average skill level?
DH: Most of the women members are occasional golfers or new to the game. There are still not a lot of avid women golfers or women that are members of country clubs although those segments are growing. The women who do join seem to be looking to network with other women interested in golf and other social activities. The ages range from 28 to 60 but the average age is about 38 to 40. There are a lot of attorneys and CPA’s and others that work in firms where golf is a prevalent activity. About 50% of the members come from accounting, IT or legal backgrounds and 20% are business owners. The remainder come from miscellaneous backgrounds.
MGB: Is membership stronger is certain parts of the country?
DH: Yes, given the weather and factors such as where our organizers are located, we are strong in certain parts of the country. We are headquartered in the Virginia/D.C. area so we’re strong there. We’re also strong in Southern California and Houston. We’re emerging strong in the Phoenix / Scottsdale area. Events fill up very quickly in Boston. We’re in San Francisco, Tampa and Miami. We’re starting in the New York City and Dallas areas this year.
MGB: Are there many events for members and guests?
DH: There are golf and social events all over the country. For example, in 2010, there are 60 National Events already scheduled. In 2009 we were in 20 cities and we’re adding cities in 2010. We’ll do 3 or 4 events per year in each city. In addition, many women wanted more events so we started a Play Day Program. For the Play Days, members host 9-hole events that include clinics or dinners. We negotiate good rates for our members to play on those days and we’ll have anywhere from 4 to 20 people show up. Using the Play Day Program we can really do an unlimited number of events to satisfy demand. So far in 2010 there is a minimum of 220 Play Days already scheduled.
MGB: It sounds like there are plenty of events. Are any of the events at private clubs so that participants gain access to courses they could not normally play?
DH: Yes, of the 60 National Events planned in 2010, most of them are at private clubs.
MGB: We see that there is a calendar of events on your website, such as luncheons, Spa Parties, Golf Experiences, and Luxury Weekend Resorts. What are these events like?
DH: The events are really all about having fun. Of course there is also networking and if the event involves golf, there is some golf education. Happy Hours let women network without even swinging a club. Luncheons allow networking and also include fashion shows so everyone can learn more about the latest golf fashions, which tend to be great both on and off the course. Spa Parties are a great way for women to get together, network, and enjoy refreshments and prizes all in a relaxing environment. Golf Experiences offer women of different skill levels the opportunity to play golf. These are not simply tournaments. In fact, at a Golf Experience, women can participate in any one of three activities based on their own skill and comfort level. Women can participate in golf orientation and clinics. They can participate in a clinic followed by 4 holes of golf. Or they can participate in 9 holes of golf in a scramble format. So the Golf Experiences offer something for a woman golfer of any skill level. Finally, the Luxury Resort Weekend is sort of a combination of everything at a great destination.
MGB: So you had a big event in January at Doral in Miami.
DH: Yes, in addition to having a great time and meeting women interested in golf, it was a great opportunity to get out of the cold.
MGB: Can only women play in the events?
DH: Yes, generally only women. There are instances when men are involved but this is because they have something to do with the golf industry. We want to ensure that men do not show up for the sole purpose of looking to pick up women. We did do a Sadie Hawkins format once in which a woman would by a ticket and get to bring a man for free. It sold out immediately.
MGB: Can women who do not play golf attend the events?
DH: Absolutely, women who do not play golf can still attend and enjoy many, if not all of our events. We are all about having fun, networking and enjoying the golf lifestyle, whether that is golf, traveling, spas or the fashions. If and when someone is ready to pick up the game though, we’ll be here for them.
MGB: What motivates you to run Women on Course?
DH: It’s a lot of work but I really enjoy it. I like to see women enjoying themselves and read women’s emails saying how much they enjoyed the events. It’s very motivating to go out to the events and everyone is so enthusiastic. The power in the golf industry is really centered on a few companies, all male dominated, which is reflected in game. I think Women on Course helps to empower women.
MGB: What direction would you like to see Women on Course go: travel group, online group, social group, business networking?
DH: Well, all of these. I like to see all the events fill up so that we can add more. I also like the variety of events because they appeal to many different women. I would like to expand to more cities and somehow reach out to people who are not located in the major cities but still want to participate. The Play Days are a great way to do this because they are spearheaded by women in the local community. I would like to see more 3-day Luxury Resort Weekends. So many new friendships can be made over the course of the weekend. Hopefully we’ll be able to continue our growth, not only in members but also activities, for many years to come.
MGB: What are your goals for Women on Course?
DH: I’d like to do a TV program again. I think that given our growth and potential, it could be successful. I’d also like to see the membership grow. People like our brand and what we are trying to do. There’s even a woman in California that recently received her LPGA teaching certification and she’s going to be our director of player development. She’s putting together a golf school titled Women on Course. We’re looking to someday establish more of these types of schools around the country which not only help women with golf but also are a lot of fun. I’d like to see more Women on Course golf schools maybe even offering several days of events in addition to golf learning all rolled into one experience.
MGB: What do women need to know about Women on Course?
DH: Women need to know that we’re not just about golf. It’s a welcoming introduction to golf and a great place to connect with other women. We have many great activities that do not involve swinging a golf club. If you can eat, drink, network or enjoy time at a spa, then you can enjoy us.
MGB: How does someone sign up?
DH: Right on our website, www.womenoncourse.com there is information on signing up. People can either sign up to receive updates on when events are coming to their area or sign up to become members.
Hartford, Wisconsin
Home of the 2008 Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship
Home of the 2011 U.S. Amateur
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ACQUIRES HISTORIC HAMILTON HALL IN ST ANDREWS
Landmark building adjacent to the Royal & Ancient Golf Club overlooks the 18th green of the Old Course.
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