As a businesswoman, Kim Carrington has no problem inviting three male clients out to play golf.
Chances are she’d hold her own against any of them. But better yet – the foursome is sure to have a blast, share some laughs, get to know each other and maybe talk some shop.
It’s all part of the business of golf, says Carrington, one of the top female amateur players in Alberta.
This summer, with the help of an impressive list of golf pros, Carrington is spreading the message that all businesswomen, regardless of skill level, can build relationships on course.
How do you invite male clients out to play golf? What tees do you play from? When should you talk business? What on-course games can men and women play? And how do handicaps work?
Carrington has the answers. They’re all part of the Links For Women Golf Schools package being taught in one-day sessions at the upscale Heritage Pointe Golf and Country Club just south of Calgary.
“At our one-day school, we have a ratio of six students to one instructor,” says Carrington. “They get four and a half hours of instruction, two hours of (playing) golf with instructors, breakfast, lunch and a cocktail hour that even includes massage.”
The program began a year ago. Across Canada, programs are held in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and in Muskoka (Ontario’s cottage country). Developed by the Powerpoint Group and ScoreGolf, the program has attracted a growing list of corporate sponsors who are committed to the concept.
Carrington organizes the events in Western Canada, and says the game plan is simple – learn, network and have fun.
“The beautiful thing about golf is you can take a beginner, an intermediate, an advanced player and a professional and they all can play four hours of golf and have a great day together,” she says. “If you know the game, rules and etiquette, and understand speed of play, everyone is equal.”
The program accepts women of all levels of ability; beginners, intermediate and advanced players are arranged in small groups based on skill levels.
As part of the instruction, the groups rotate through various stations (putting, chipping, sand play, driving, etc.) where the women have an opportunity to meet eight different instructors – an equal mix of men and women.
“The instructors are hand-picked, exceptionally talented people,” says Carrington. “One of the advantages is that the ladies meet a variety of instructors and may find a pro they click with. Part of the challenge I give the ladies is to continue their lessons and build on what they have learned after they take the session.”
The one-day outings cost $325. Liz McLeod, a client, says the experience was worth every penny.
“They took a bunch of women and said: ‘OK, we’re not going to make you play like men, we are going to teach to play golf so you can play with men,’ ” says McLeod. “They looked at our skills levels and told us how we were going to proceed.”
Currently on maternity leave from Upton Resources, a Calgary junior exploration company, McLeod has signed up again this year.
She is typical of many women who enrol. She has played golf for a few years and has organized the company tournament. Most of her co-workers play golf, and she wanted to improve her skills.
“Last year, I felt much more confident at the Upton tourney playing with people from other companies,” she says. “I remembered some of the things that I learned at Heritage, and I felt more confident. I would even feel confident taking clients out now, if that was feasible.”
What tips does Carrington offer to women who are taking male clients on course?
Here are a few suggestions:
* On the day you are to play, phone the pro or assistant you know (if you belong to a course) and ask them to greet the male guests, show them to the men’s locker room where they can change, and let them know where you can be found. Even if you are playing at a public course, make the call to the pro shop and ask the staff to greet your guests, says Carrington. It makes people feel welcome, and shows that you have gone out of your way to prepare for the day.
* On the first tee, organize a game. Base it on handicaps. Create an atmosphere of fun. Understand the yardage book and difficulty of the course and play the appropriate tees for yourself.
* While on the course, get to know about your fellow players, their families, friends and business acquaintances. It’s a small world and you will often discover you have mutual friends that only help solidify the relationship.
* It’s difficult to talk business on course because of all the interruptions while playing. So save business talk for later. After the round, over beverages or food, talk business if that’s on your agenda. People are relaxed and can give full attention to the discussion.
Carrington calls the Links For Women program a labour of love. Her father and her stepfather are both members of the Alberta PGA, and she has worked in the retail side of the business for 19 years. Despite a heavy workload during the summers, she still plays a sharp game. In 1996 as an amateur, she played in the LPGA’s du Maurier Classic, then one of the LPGA’s four major championships.
“I just love the game,” says Carrington. “So, when I see women at these schools networking and having a lot of fun, it feels so right. Sometimes one little tip is all it takes to put a big smile on someone’s face.”
Because she’s an amateur golfer, she does not teach at the program, although she knows plenty about the game.
“That’s the professional’s job,” she says. “As the director of golf operations, I start the day, end the day, and keep the groups moving.
“In reality, what I really do is schmooze. I make sure it’s fun for everybody.”
And isn’t that what golf’s supposed to be about?
