Golf facility management group, GreenSpace Management, has become a signatory to the R&A Women in Golf Charter, becoming the first off-course provider to do so – publicly stating their commitment to improving the sport for all women and girls.
With over 80 years’ worth of experience in the global golf industry, GreenSpace provides golf management, maintenance and consultancy services to a range of clients. They directly manage four public access golf facilities throughout Victoria and South Australia, with more on the way nationwide.
Through their work with councils and public facilities, it became clear to GreenSpace National Operations Coordinator Matthew Doran, that the business had a wonderful opportunity to enhance the golfing experience for a generation of women and girls.
“Our commitment to the game includes being an ambassador for all golfers at our facilities,” explained Doran. “We know that we have an opportunity to break down barriers that prevent women and girls from participating in our game.”
Particularly relevant at a grassroots level, Doran and the team at GreenSpace are aware that they can help shape golfers’ first impressions of the game.
“Public golf courses are where the vast majority of people have their first experience of our game; and we need to make sure that the first and lasting impression is outstanding.” Said Doran.
It is why GreenSpace has been so considered in designing a detailed Statement of Intent, which outlines the actions they are committed to in support of the Charter.
Aligned with four key pillars, the statement addresses innovation, grassroots golf, consumer positioning and pathways.
GreenSpace is also implementing gender-neutral tees, as well as offering products and designing spaces to suit more women than ever before.
Committed to progress in the long term, GreenSpace has also developed a project group to ensure they can affect real change. The group, which was established after they became a signatory to the Charter, exists to open discussion and help plan ideas and programs that maintain signatory status and ultimately provide a better outcome for women and girls.
GreenSpace Managing Director Peter Vlahandreas also appointed an eminent person to the project group, to ensure they consider a perspective from outside of the golfing industry.
“Our project group is the engine that drives our commitment to the Charter and ensures that programs and projects are rolled out effectively across all of our facilities nationally.” Vlahandreas said
“We feel that one of our biggest challenges is being open and real about the fact that there are a lot of intimidating factors within our game. Through our commitment to the Charter, we can change this.”
Head of Venue Development at Golf Australia, Tony Craswell hopes that others will soon follow in the footsteps of GreenSpace.
“We applaud GreenSpace for their enthusiasm to drive change for women in golf,” he said. “The importance of women and girls being welcomed across all golf formats is very important.”
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