Opening Up Careers in Golf to More Women
The golf industry offers a far wider range of careers than many people realise. Opportunities extend well beyond the course and yet misconceptions about what it takes to work in golf can mean that talented people - and women in particular - may never consider the sector as a career option.
The new Careers in Golf website aims to help change that.
Supported by the BGIA and organisations across the GB&I Golf Forum, Careers in Golf has been developed to showcase the breadth of roles available across the industry and make career pathways clearer and more accessible.
Jack Cole, Website Partnerships Director, says one of the original aims of the project was to help golf attract a more diverse workforce.
“For the first time, candidates will be able to see in one place just how diverse the golf industry is and the different career options available to them - across manufacturing, retail, events, hospitality, greenkeeping, golf club management, PGA and coaching roles, as well as corporate careers such as marketing and accounting.”
Importantly, many of these roles require no previous experience or knowledge of golf, something Jack says often surprises the students and wider public the programme works with.
That misconception can itself be a barrier to attracting more women. As Jack points out, golf businesses are commercial organisations like any others, looking for talented people with skills, ideas and the ability to add value. Bringing a wider range of people into the industry can also introduce fresh thinking and help the sector continue to evolve and grow.
The website will feature stories from women already building careers across golf, while new technology, including AI-supported advert writing, is designed to help employers create more professional and inclusive job adverts and encourage applications from a broader pool of candidates.
But the website is only one part of the picture.
Careers in Golf Programme Manager, Andrew Gray, explains that the wider programme is bringing these opportunities to life through school, college and university workshops, behind-the-scenes experiences at major tournaments and initiatives with partners across the GB&I Golf Forum.
“Whether it’s media and communications, event management, coaching, greenkeeping, retail operations or leadership roles, these experiences help participants see what a career in golf could look like and then use the Careers in Golf website to explore those opportunities further.”
For women already working in golf, as well as those who may never previously have pictured themselves in the industry, greater visibility of the opportunities available is an important step.
As Andy says: “By combining real-world experiences with accessible career information, we’re helping more women recognise that golf is an industry where they can build rewarding and long-term careers.”
As a supporter of both Careers in Golf and the Women in Golf Awards, the BGIA is proud to help champion an industry in which more women can see the opportunities available to them - and build careers that take them wherever they want to go.