Female representatives from the PGA of Australia and Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) gathered on the Gold Cost this week to celebrate women in golf as part of the PGA’s Women of the PGA initiative.

Run
in conjunction with the PGA’s pinnacle coaching event, the Srixon PGA Coaching
Summit, leading industry females from both ALPG and PGA gathered for the Women
in Golf Breakfast at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

Australian
Diamond and Queensland Firebird, Laura Geitz, joined domestic and international
speakers including Chief Executive Officer of the ALPG, Karen Lunn, Manager Director of Srixon
Sports, Martin Wright, and inspirational sportswoman and
administrator, Daphne Pirie.

Geitz,
a true leader and professional
sportswomen spoke about her career pathway and the challenges surrounding
decrease funding and prize money for female athletes, although believing these
obstacles made for a more well rounded person and prepared her for life post
sport.

"Women need to get better at having the hard conversations,"
said Geitz.

Australian Women’s Hockey Team
representative and Track and Field Champion Daphne Pirie said, "I am passionate about
promoting our Australian Sportswomen and I congratulate this great initiative
ensuring our lady golfers get the break they deserve". 

"I
feel quite honoured to be there with the movers and shakers of Professional
Golf in Australia", she said. 

Chief
Executive Officer of the PGA, Brian Thorburn said, "The PGA is committed to
growing female participation in golf across the country".

"It
has been encouraging to see female Membership numbers increase in recent years
and the Women of the PGA initiative is a result of this positive step forward",
he said.

This year female Members accounted for 10 per
cent of Summit delegates.

The Women
of the PGA initiative assists the PGA identify strategies to increase growth of
female Members and female participation in golf.

In recent
years the PGA has recognised and embraced the increase of women within its
Membership and encouraging opportunities for women in golf is paramount for continued
industry growth.

The
Srixon PGA Coaching Summit is held every two years and brings together leading
sporting authorities to provide PGA Members with a unique opportunity to
undertake valid coaching-based, golf-specific training and education, plus peer
and industry networking opportunities.

Over 200 Australian
PGA Professionals attended this year’s summit which was held from September
9-11.