Easing Women Into the - Country Club of Landfall

Easing Women Into the
GAME
Country Club of Landfall’s Head Golf Pro Develops PGA Best Practice
In discussions with the wives of golfers here at the
Country Club of Landfall, Head Golf Professional
Sara Bush had heard every excuse imaginable for
why the wives themselves didn’t golf:
“I might like it, but I have no idea how to get started.”
“My husband wants me to play, but I think it’s probably boring.”
“I would like to take up a sport this year, but it is so complicated!”
“These women were intimidated,” Bush said. “They
didn’t know where to go or how to begin- they
needed some very basic guidance.”
“I really wanted to eliminate any foreseeable reason
that women would have an interest in learning the
game of golf, and yet decide not to pursue it,” Bush
said. “So, with 20 women in attendance, I started
our Golf 101 Class last spring.”
This class takes women golfers through every aspect of the game – from where to park and drop off
clubs, to the ins and outs of the pro shop. It truly
eradicates any room for uncertainty and leaves
women feeling confident that they too can play.
“This class seriously begins in the parking lot,” said
Bush decided the best way to engage these women Bush. “The ladies learn how to check in, establish
was through a specifically designed orientation
a handicap, book future tee times, and even what
that first introduced, and then familiarized, women merchandise is available in the pro shop.”
with the game.
continued
“Golf can be very intimidating.
being exposed in the correct
setting is vital to long-term
success, enjoyment and
retention.”
“
CCL courses have a little bit of everything to offer golfers of all abilities.
We have forced carries and target golf for those looking for a challenge
but also generous fairways and large greens for those new to the game.
”
From there, the women receive an introduction into the short game, and those interested can advance into beginner
clinics. And so far the orientation has been doing wonders.
“The program has proven successful in exactly what I set out for it to do,” said Bush. “It gets the ladies more comfortable at the Club, gives me a larger pool of players to teach and gives the Club more golfers to reap the financial
benefits from.”
And the program hasn’t only been a success locally - it ended up being recognized as an award-winning PGA best
practice for player development.
“CCL is the perfect place to integrate a program like this,” said Bush. “We have the luxury of 45 holes and ample
practice space, so we are able to provide beginners a non-intimidating setting to learn. We are also very fortunate to
have many women who belong to the Club interested in learning how to play, so no beginner is ever the only one.”
Memberships to the Country Club of Landfall are open to Wilmington residents by application. For more information,
contact the Country Club of Landfall Membership Department at (910) 256-8411.
800 Sun Runner Place, Wilmington, NC 28405 • (910) 256-8411 • www.countrycluboflandfall.com