One Year of Connecting Women in Golf

Melbourne, Australia: Just over 12 months ago, Australian golf launched a movement to champion, support and elevate the women shaping the game.

The Connecting Women in Golf initiative was born with a clear purpose: to build stronger connections, create opportunities and inspire the next generation of women leaders across the industry.

Now celebrating its first anniversary, Connecting Women in Golf has already made a significant impact and strongly aligns with Australian golf’s BIG SWINGS 2026-2030 strategic vision.

By fostering a thriving, inclusive and diverse community, the initiative directly supports the strategy’s BELONG pillar – ensuring everyone feels they have a place in golf – and CONNECT, bringing more people together across the industry to strengthen lifelong engagement with the game.

The Connecting Women in Golf launch came at a pivotal time for Australian golf.

In 2024, women made up just 20% of the golf workforce, highlighting the need for greater representation and support across the industry.

The 2025 Australian Golf Industry Paid Workforce Survey further reinforced the challenges women continue to face. Among survey respondents, 71% identified a male-dominated culture as a barrier to women entering or progressing within the industry, while 51% cited work-life balance challenges, 40% pointed to a lack of visibility and 37% highlighted limited mentoring opportunities.

Perhaps most revealing, nearly half of respondents (48%) said they were unaware of any organisational initiatives aimed at increasing the number of women in leadership positions.

Connecting Women in Golf is a PGA of Australia, WPGA Tour of Australasia and Golf Australia initiative to help shift that narrative, providing a visible and accessible platform for advocacy, professional development, mentoring and meaningful industry connection.

Since its launch event at Riversdale Golf Club in Victoria in May 2025, Connecting Women in Golf has hosted six events across Australia, with gatherings in South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales.

Almost 350 women from every corner of the golf industry have attended with many being supported by their employer to take part.

Tamara Mason, Golf Australia’s Head of Women and Girls Engagement, attributes the programme’s success to creating the kind of connections women want and need.  

Mason said: “The current system of golf is not designed for women so we’re creating a new one. Women in decision-making roles at golf venues is critical to the continued growth of the sport.

“Providing safe spaces for women to grow in confidence and meet other women working in paid roles across the many sectors of the golf industry is now a core part of our role.

“Men working in golf also play an important role by supporting women at their venue to attend the events. It has long been accepted that staff attend professional development days, and we’re encouraging general managers to see the Connecting Women in Golf events as professional development opportunities for all staff.”

Each event has featured industry insights, panel discussions and personal stories from inspiring guest speakers, including former Women’s Championship Tour surfer and sports equality advocate Jessi Miley-Dyer, Sport SA CEO Leah Cassidy, general managers Nicole Martino (Wembley Golf) and Lucy Guppy (Royal Fremantle Golf Club), Australian Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich, and Melbourne Football Club Chief Communications Officer Clare Pettyfor, among others from across sport and industry.

As Connecting Women in Golf enters its second year, the momentum continues to grow.

By breaking down barriers, fostering mentorship and creating opportunities for women to connect, develop and lead, the initiative is helping reshape the culture of Australian golf and build a more inclusive future for the game.