Wellness and community: a hole in one
Posted on
At a time when we’re hyper-aware of our health and wellbeing and short on time, many of us are combining our wellness and our social lives through active or healthy get-togethers.
Sure, cocktails and dancefloor debauchery will always have a place in our hearts. But judging from the women clustered around tables at Local Press, swilling fresh juice and tucking into bowls bursting with greens, or striding around Lake Burley Griffin in their activewear, healthy catch ups are a mainstay of many a Canberra social calendar.
What if I told you that there was a way that you could combine fitness, self-improvement, fun, social connection and confidence building—with a healthy dose of sunshine to boot? With golf, it’s totally possible, and thanks to the 2019 Women’s Sport and Recreation Participation and Leadership Program, there are plenty of opportunities for girls to start playing golf.
The thing about golf is that it’s long been considered as a sport reserved for wealthy men —a perception that’s further cemented through films and TV. To be fair, it’s not entirely unfounded. Only 20% of golf participants are women, a statistic which becomes alarmingly evident when you visit a golf course.
As a feminist and advocate for women in sport, I get a thrill out of seeing girls and women on the green. I imagine it’s a sentiment that’s echoed by women like Joanne Mills, PGA Professional Golfer and coach, or Sue Harrison, Junior Promotions Officer on the Women’s Golf Committee, the Central Southern Golf Association (CSGA). These are some of the people who are paving the way for women to participate in golf, through coaching and programs, by raising the profile of women’s golf in the community. Not to mention that by the simple act of playing a sport that they love, they’re making it more accessible for other women to join them.
Sue is the Territory Manager (ACT Monaro) for the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation (JNJG), a non-profit organisation created to establish and service golf programs for boys and girls that create pathways through the sport. She’s also the person responsible for putting forward the JNJG forward for support through the Women’s Sport and Recreation Participation and Leadership Program. The application was successful and JNJG has received $2,200 in funding.
“At first, I was surprised because I had not been convinced that our small organisation and program would be worthy of funding. Once I realised what the news meant, I was very excited with the prospect of being able to achieve so many positive outcomes for young girls in our region” says Sue.
“The grant will be used to establish girls golf programs in the north and south of Canberra, with a view to building a greater ‘community’ of young girl golfers in the ACT.”
Sue has long been passionate about women playing golf, and since 2016 has organised through the CSGA a girls’ only golf program at the Canberra International Golf Centre. The program, which has grown from 6 to 14 participants, utilises the coaching services of Joanne Mills and is subsidised by the CSGA to support women looking to learn to play golf.
“The Girls Golf Program has been designed to meet ‘girl specific’ criteria. These criteria are research-based and ensure strong engagement through social, non-competitive and non-judgemental environments that support a philosophy of enjoyment and positive encouragement.”
The funding couldn’t have come at a more crucial time. Sue explains that the establishment of these programs has only been possible through the bequeathing of funds through the closure of the Capital Golf Club, Narrabundah, in 2015. It had become apparent that these funds would be depleted in 2019, and Sue faced the possibility that the program may have been discontinued.
“We are very appreciative of the support from the ACT Government and have already been successfully running an additional girls program in north Canberra during Term One.”
If you’re a woman who’s interested in playing golf, Sue says there are so many benefits to be gained, including learning a new skill, making new friendships, building confidence, and having fun.
“However I think that the biggest benefits are the holistic effects on individual health and wellbeing. Engaging in low impact physical activity in a joyful and social environment can only be a formula for making you feel great.”
Wellness with a side of friendship and female empowerment? I’ll raise a glass of green juice to that.
Want to get involved?
The CSGA is currently running Term 1 girls golf programs at Canberra International Golf Centre, Narrabundah and Gold Creek Country Club, Nicholls. In Term 2, in addition to Canberra International and Gold Greek, there will also be a girls program commencing at Murrumbidgee Country Club, Kambah. For details, visit csga.asn.au or contact Sue directly by emailing sue@jnjg.com.au.
In terms of women’s programs, Royal Canberra Golf Club, Murrumbidgee Country Club and Fairbairn Golf Club have women’s only introductory golf programs. Contact your local club directly to see what program are available.
Leave a Reply