Busselton Golf Club is celebrating after scooping one of the major prizes at the R&A Women in Golf Charter Awards last week.
The South West club was awarded the prize for Best Initiative for Increasing Overall Women and Girls Engagement after the success of their ‘Swing & Sip’ programs, which were introduced in late 2023.
Since then, some 300 women and girls have gone through Busselton GC’s series of four-week programs from as far afield as Bunbury, Dunsborough and Margaret River, with 35 of them going on to take up membership at the club.
While the membership increase is a welcome by-product, Busselton Head Pro Grant Williams says they are most pleased with the high levels of participation achieved.
“We still can’t believe we had 300 ladies through the program in one year,” Williams told GolfWA. “It not only shows how popular golf is but identifies there was a need to provide women in the region with opportunities to get into golf.
“The aim wasn’t necessarily for us to gain members, but to provide meaningful pathways into participation. From that perspective, ‘Swing & Sip’ was incredibly successful.
“As well as new members here, we’ve also heard from a number of program participants who now play regularly on Busselton’s par-three course, which better suits their lifestyles. We don’t mind where people play, as long as they’re playing.”
Going the extra mile
The initial four-week programs taught participants the key golf shots, with the follow-up programs taking place on the course and introducing the players to course management, etiquette and the importance of pace of play.
The social side of golf was just as important, though, with participants immediately introduced to the clubhouse with a drink of their choosing and provided with vouchers to encourage them to spend quality time with their classmates post-session.
“One of the best aspects was seeing the ladies quickly build positive relationships with each other,” Williams added. “We tended to have about 12 women per session and very often they would all head to the clubhouse afterwards for a coffee or glass of wine and get to know each other.”
Program graduates were given the opportunity to take up a three-month membership for $199, while the club has also developed a schedule of on- and off-course competitions and social events to keep participants engaged.
The award marked the end of a memorable year for Busselton GC and for Williams personally after he was named the WA PGA Club Professional of the Year at the WA Golf Industry Awards in March.
“It was amazing to receive national recognition for our efforts to engage with women and girls at the club,” Williams said. “It’s a great reward for going the extra mile to provide a positive experience for participants.”
All the winners from the Women in Golf Charter Awards
Busselton was one of 11 clubs nominated for the Best Initiative for Increasing Overall Women and Girls Engagement Award, which was one of five categories contested at the inaugural R&A Women in Golf Charter Awards.
The awards were open to all Australian clubs and facilities that have signed the R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, with the ceremony taking place at Huntingdale Golf Club in Victoria during Australian Open week.
The winners
Women and Girls Programs of the Year: Windaroo Lakes Golf Club (QLD)
Most Progressive Club/Facility of the Year: The National Golf Club (VIC)
Excellence in Community Engagement: Zonely
Best Initiative for Overall Women and Girls Engagement: Busselton Golf Club (WA)
Most Influential Woman in Golf 2024: Deb Kember (The Brisbane Golf Club, QLD)
