MiniProfile
CWGI: A Golf Club...With A Twist!
For many women the thought of joining a traditional golf club where you make a
large commitment (both financially and with your time) to a singular place is not
always appealing. With many of life’s demands often pulling you in different
directions, a traditional approach to club membership often doesn’t work. You
don’t always have the ability to justify that obligation of time and resources.
Canadian Women Golfers Incorporated (CWGI) offers a new approach to club
membership in the National Capital Region.
Now celebrating thirteen years of success, in 2008 more than 550 women will enjoy the
benefits of being a member of CWGI, a true golf club…with a twist.
That type of response by the golfers of the National Capital Region is putting
CWGI on the leading edge of golf’s future. They provide an opportunity for
women of all abilities to get into the game but also allow them to play at a variety
of courses within their budget and time constraints. “We believe we are taking a
leadership role for women in golf in the region,” says CWGI President Bonnie
Robinson. “We provide everything a golf club would but without the property,”
she adds. “It is not just a league – we have worked hard to add all the features
that give you the club experience but with greater flexibility.”
cific causes. And, this year, CWGI will be marshalling the 11th hole at the CN
Bonnie does not exaggerate when referring to the features of the club. The basic Canadian Women’s Open – just as any other club might.
premise is that you become a member for less than $200 a season – most
members join by the end of April for the season ahead but you can sign up any “Just like any other club we have a members’ day,” adds Bonnie. Golfers meet to
time. In September there is even a guest program where you can check out the take clinics, try out the latest golf equipment, and play a choice of 9 or 18-hole golf.”
atmosphere and see how the programs run.
These types of events accentuate the social and networking aspect of CWGI, a
Golfers then simply pay their green fees at the courses (often at a favourable rate), club that actually presents a greater opportunity than membership at one golf club.
playing as much or as little as they want. They are scheduled times at a variety “Since we play our nine hole league at eight different courses during the week
of clubs around the region, both during the week and on weekends for both nine and visit twenty of thirty more courses around the area during the year, you get
hole and eighteen hole golf. A CWGI member -coordinator is present at each to enjoy great golf at different courses and meet a lot more people from across the
course and program, ensuring that things run smoothly every time. region than you might as a member at one club,” adds Bonnie.
“We went with the model of a membership fee plus green fees rather than an overall Members range in age from their twenties in to their eighties and represent all
fee,” explains Bonnie. “That provides women with the flexibility they need. If they levels of play. New golfers will be happy to know that a “Golden Rule” is
are heading to the cottage in the summer and can’t play for a few weeks or have observed to take the pressure off new golfers and maintain a great pace of play
some extra work or family commitments, then it doesn’t cost them anything. If the for others. On each hole, if the number of shots you take to reach the green
have more time and want to play every day – they can do that too.” matches the par number for the hole, the golfer simply picks up and drops the ball
on to the green where they putt out. “We want golfers to compete with them-
The heart of the CWGI season is May through October and there are programs selves – to help them see that is what golf is all about! It seems to work.”
available almost daily. Members simply sign up through the virtual clubhouse at
the CWGI website (www.canadianwomengolfers.com), a place where they can After 13 years CWGI has a strong reputation, within the local industry and within
also check out the other offerings from the club. This includes clinics and lessons the membership. Golf clubs welcome them, as they are reliable and consistently
from a team of top local professionals: Danielle Nadon, Pam Leblanc, and well organized. And most new members are referrals from other members – in
Rebecca Mulville, access to the RCGA Handicap Network, golf getaways and fact in a yearly survey more than 98% of members say they would recommend
excursions, seminars, and tournament and social events. As one member has the club to others. That’s a pretty strong endorsement.
said in last season’s members’ survey, “Since joining CWGI, I have actually
gone out to play golf more than I ever would have otherwise.” “We are proud of what we have accomplished so far but we are always working
on providing a more positive experience,” exclaims Bonnie Robinson. “We’re
The club members financially support community causes related to women and not going to rest on our laurels. We want to be better for our members every year
children support and also volunteer at local tournaments supporting women spe- and to set the standard for women and golf in the region.”
46 FLAGSTICK FOR WOMEN
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