Inspiration and motivation at the 2020 Women in Golf event

Stay tuned for the November issue of Golfdom, which will feature more from the 2020 Women in Golf event.

Screencap: Golfdom Staff

On Sept. 16, nearly 80 women gathered virtually for the second annual Women in Golf event, sponsored by Bayer.

“This kind of thing used to be unthinkable because there weren’t enough women to host a forum like this,” said Jackie Applegate, Bayer’s global president of environmental science & vegetable seeds, to kick off the event.

“At a time when women are few and far between, we have to work harder to earn a seat at the table. I still have to earn my seat at the table, and I have to be all in. As women in male-dominated industry, it’s not easy to be a leader and trailblaze our own path.”

Believe you’ve earned your seat

The first day of the event featured a special surprise guest: Mel Reid, an English professional golfer who plays on the Ladies European Tour. She boasts a top 3 finish at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2019 and a top 10 finish at Women’s British Open in 2015.

Day one of Women in Golf featured special guest speaker Mel Reid. (Screencap: Golfdom Staff)

She encouraged attendees to work on themselves, so they can give more to other people and other interests as well and to get out of their comfort zones, despite how tough that may be in a male-dominated field.

Of her personal experience in contending with being the minority in a traditionally male sport, she said, “I was determined to beat the boys, which was my inspiration to work hard. When I got to certain levels and started winning, I learned that I had a platform to speak on because people were listening to my story.”

Day 1 of the event wrapped up with an engaging keynote from Molly Fletcher, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and former sports agent. She is the founder of the Molly Fletcher Company, based in Atlanta, Ga.

During her talk, Fletcher offered advice including why it’s important to reframe our story if it holds us back how to identify the self-limiting beliefs that could hold us back.

“At the end of the day, people want to know, do I like you, can you help me and do I trust you?” she said. “When it comes down to what we do, it’s all about connection.”

There are no limits

Photo: Kimberly Erusha, principal, Kimberly Erusha Consulting. (Screencap: Golfdom Staff)

The day two panel discussion focused on not limiting yourself in your career.

Kimberly Erusha, former managing director of the USGA Green Section and principal at Kimberly Erusha Consulting, advised on the importance of personal development.

“Take those personal development opportunities and recognize that you bring a unique perspective to your role,” she said.

“Never underestimate the power you have as a female who really knows her stuff,” she added. “Use that professional development to hone in on your industry … that brings you professional power and perspective that you can offer.”

Kelly Lynch, regional manager at Pure Seed, asked attendees an important question: “What made you brave?” She asked the women present to reach out to people, be brave and have a conversation.

Lynch also offered an unusual analogy for the time and energy we give ourselves and one another: peanut butter.

“You can give away as much peanut butter as you want, but if you don’t keep enough for yourself, for your mental and emotional health, you’re losing in the deal. I learned to say no, and those are the gifts that I had to replenish for me.”

In the next session, Susan Hite introduced the five shapes in the Psycho Geometrics communications system. The shapes can be used to recognize patterns of behavior and how you communicate with others. Attendees gathered in breakout sessions to discuss the results of their Psycho Geometrics Shapes assessment.

Carol Rau, a certified professional in human resources, then led the group in examining how you can best present yourself and your leadership skills to a prospective employer.

Rau also stressed that when explaining your experience in an interview, don’t get caught up in the weeds. She recommended looking at the big picture and not just how you can solve technical problems with turf, since everyone interviewing for that job has those skills.

“Golfers love golf, not turf,” she explained. “Showing how you work together with your leadership team to grow the game of golf is a great way to stand out … show how you drive success for your team.”

Carol Rau kicked off day three of Bayer’s Women in Golf event by encouraging attendees to dream big. (Screencap: Golfdom Staff)

Own your journey

The third day of Bayer’s Women in Golf kicked off with a panel discussion entitled “Own Your Journey.”

Carol Rau started off the discussion by asking attendees to picture their dream job.

“Give yourself permission to dream big. What would that feel like to be in that role, in that location?” she asked.

Rau said once you have a big dream in mind, think through how you’re going to get there. Then, she encouraged attendees to be brave and go for that dream job.

“If you know the why and you know where you’re headed, you’re actually taking a step forward,” she says.

In the afternoon, attendees continued discussions on their Psycho Geometrics shapes evaluation. This time, Susan Hite walked attendees through each shape’s traits and how to best use those traits at home and on the job.

“You have to know what your strengths are, and you need to articulate them; you also need to know your weaknesses are,” she says. “Use your strengths to help you get where you want to be.”

In the final panel discussion of the day, Women in Golf classes of 2019 and 2020 came together to hear stories from the class of 2019’s big wins.

Tami Jones, superintendent at DeSoto Golf Club in Hot Springs, Ark., shared how she applied for the position of director of agronomy for eight courses at Hot Springs Village. She said she was in the top two candidates, but she ultimately did not get the job.

“This environment last year made me brave,” she said. “Before WIG, I know there were other women in golf, but it was always in passing.” She said she realized that she deserved to be at the table, and it encouraged her to brush up her resumé and apply.

Carol Turner, assistant golf course superintendent at ‎Bigwin Island Golf and Country Club in York, Ontario, Canada, said the timing of last year’s event couldn’t have been better. Her initial interview at Bigwin came two days after the 2019 Women in Golf event.

After her first interview went well, she had an interview with the general manager.

“I aced that interview solely based on everything I learned from Women in Golf,” she said.

The general manager asked her if she was a golfer and instead of her usual reply of, “Yes, I am, but I’m not very good,” she said, “The answer is, ‘Yes, I am a golfer.”

“I got the job on the spot,” she said.