2008 Leadership Workshop for Women in the Australian Golf Industry Nearly 50 women have joined together in a ground-breaking workshop to promote opportunities and roles for women in the Australian golf industry. Funded jointly by Golf Australia, the PGA of Australia and the Australian Sports Commission and held at the PGA Headquarters at Sandhurst, the workshop involved touring professionals, elite amateurs, administrators and PGA club and teaching professionals. This innovative workshop is designed to provide educational, mentoring and networking opportunities for women in Australian golf. Golf Australia Women&aposs Development Officer Alison Munt said the workshop was an exciting chance to build the connections between women across all levels of golf. “It&aposs a great opportunity to get women administrators, touring professionals, our best amateurs and PGA professionals in the one space and see what they can learn from one another, ” Munt said. “It&aposs a comprehensive program designed to produce benefits for all participants in their positions across the Australian golf industry.” PGA of Australia CEO Max Garske and Golf Australia Board member Alison Holden opened the workshop and presented an overview of developments within the industry. VicSport CEO Kate Roffey led a number of sessions over the two days and covered topics including mentoring, profile building and other development opportunities. Media expert Kathie Shearer put the women through their paces with some curly questions and a session on how to present well to the media and develop a positive rapport with journalists. Women’s Golf Victoria CEO Bronwen Young and Executive Director of the Victorian Olympic Council Gill Brewster addressed leading administrators about the challenges of working in a male-dominated environment. The PGA hosted a number of sessions including a focus on the challenges facing PGA Women club and teaching Professionals and career development opportunities for PGA Women members. On the second day, a 9 hole challenge took place and was designed to give Australia s elite amateurs the basic skills in the art of engaging people in a pro-am environment. This workshop partnered a touring professional with an elite amateur in a mentoring role- specifically designed to help educate those players on the cusp of turning professional about what lies ahead for them as professionals as well as golfing ambassadors.