ARIZONA NEWS
fans is Sandy LaBauve, who founded the program in 1989. “Cori is one of the most passionate,
energetic people you will ever meet,” said LaBauve, assistant director of the LaBauve Golf Academy at The Westin Kierland Golf Club. “She is so committed to what she believes in. Being a mom herself (of three daughters), she really knows the values of bringing girls into golf. She’s willing to get out there and keep looking for new ways to improve the program.” Reaching out to LaBauve was
one of Matheson’s first steps after accepting the director position. “When Kathy (Knadler) moved on
after doing a phenomenal job for many years, one of Cori’s first instincts was to call me up to talk about my original vision for the program so that she could build on what I started,” said LaBauve. “I really appreciated that she cared enough to learn why I did certain things and what I thought could be done better. I didn’t know her very well, but I was so impressed when we met that I thought, this program is in good hands.” The program has been especially
impactful for girls struggling in school and having trouble making friends. “When they come to the golf course
and I put them in a foursome, they are spending time playing golf with girls they just met, and they’re not being judged
Founder Sandy LaBauve (left) with director Cori Matheson and her LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix members.
for the things they are judged for at school all year,” said Matheson. “That’s empowering. And then those girls will come to the next event to see the new friends they met at a previous event.” It all came full circle for Matheson this
past September during Girls Golf Day, held at Papago Golf Course. The program’s biggest event brings together more than 200 girls, plus their parents and families. “One of my mentors, Jane Spicer (founder of Phoenix-based Daphne’s
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Headcovers) grabbed me that day, put her arm around my shoulder, and said, ‘Can you just stop running around for a minute, take a deep breath, and look around at what you’ve done?’ ” recalled Matheson. “I’m so glad she did that for me because you get caught up in the work and don’t stop to appreciate what’s being accomplished. Seeing the little girls who stay late like I did years ago, and who may want my job some day, that’s what means the most to me.” n
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