Innovator Sarah

PGA Fellow professional Sarah Bennett has been the architect of many golfing initiatives – now she is planning the East region’s inaugural women-only pro-am.

Three Rivers Golf and Country Club – where Sarah is the head teaching professional – will be the venue for an intended 18-team event on Tuesday, June 25.

Sarah’s own brand GolfingGirl, which she set up 10 years ago, is a key sponsor. But she is also aiming to attract interest from her contacts within the industry, who would like to help drive women’s golf.

Ladies clothing business Swing Out Sister have already committed to providing garments for the prize table. PuttOUT will be adding to the prize fund and hosting competitions during the day based around their training aids.

Bennett said: “It’s my understanding that this will be the first attempt at an all-female PGA pro-am event in the East region.

“I’d like to encourage teams to come from outside of the region with their club professional. There will be a decent prize fund on offer for the individual and team events for the professionals and a strong prize table for the amateurs as well as fun ancillary events.

“It is a great playing opportunity for WPGA members and also offers the chance for them to bring valued clients and club members who may not have been to a pro-am format before.

“Depending on scheduling, I would also like to think we’d maybe get support from one or two Tour players.”

Sarah serves on both the East and the WPGA committees and is very much in tune with the golfing landscape – hence her thinking that it was high time for a women-only pro-am in the region.

The design of the whole day will seek to promote women’s golf and there will be a post-round prosecco afternoon tea for players rather than a traditional carvery.

She added: “A women’s-only pro-am has been on my mind for about six months and I’m really pleased that we’ve managed to start planning. We just need to spread the word.

“I know that from when I’ve taken ladies to some pro-ams that there can be a little bit of an intimidation factor. It can be a nerve-wracking environment for ladies playing in a pro-am but my goal is to produce a day that makes everyone at ease, so that it will be an enjoyable day on June 25.

“The aim is to present a memorable day which can be repeated on an annual basis – trust me it will definitely be different!”