Many people have a stereotype of golfers being older white males. This has been changing for some time and golf has become more inclusive as a result of affordable options and an affordable campaign to expand its demographic, gender and racial footprint. Women are one of the growing demographics and it is easy to see why. Golf is a sport where people converse and bond while walking over several hours. It is easy to understand why golf has been useful for business opportunities and negotiating but it can be equally as effective for catching up with friends and family bonding. TITANS- Leaders in Industry & Golf was a way for me to share 33 interesting stories of the world’s most accomplished business leaders. Their passion for golf is what led each of them to buy or build their own golf course. Their accomplishments, tenacity, and pearls of wisdom will be fascinating to anyone with an interest in business.
Golf is good for a lot of things perhaps most importantly it is good for the soul. In each of the books in the Two Good Rounds series it is my hope that everyone can find something in common with a pro golfer (Two Good Rounds – 19th Hole Stories form the World’s Greatest Golfers), any of the 54 A list athletes (Two Good Rounds Superstars- Golf Stories from the World’s Greatest Athletes) or Business leaders from the Titans book.
1. Great for Business
An estimated 90% of Fortune 500 CEO’s play golf. According to Barrons, one quarter of the 25 million golfers in the U.S. are top management executives. I encourage women to get out there and say yes to golf outings. Sheila Johnson, the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, is also the founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts that has a total of 9 golf courses in the portfolio. It is great to see a successful businesswoman investing in and playing golf.
2. Great for Socializing / Friendships / Family time
Golf is a great way to meet new friends, catch up with existing ones and spend quality time with family members no matter what the age or ability. You do not have to be a great player; many of the people playing golf are not. Just know the basic rules and keep the ball moving. There are many resources to help women get started with many organizations offering golf programs that include everything from social events, beginner lessons to competitive league play.
3. Benefits last a lifetime
Friendships and business relationships will only be further enhanced by the time you spend together golfing. Rarely do any of us have time to engage with others in small groups without interruptions. The same encounter in an office, family room, restaurant or most other sporting events would have many distractions and leave you feeling like you did not spend enough time with anyone.
Elisa Gaudet has spent the past several years working in the golf industry in the U.S. and Latin America. She worked for the PGA Tour and the Tour de las Americas, including executing the EMC World Cup in 2002, prior to founding Executive Golf International. EGI a strategic golf-marketing firm that works with clients to develop and implement golf-related programs.
Prior to golf, Elisa worked in the entertainment industry for over ten years as a model and SAG and AFTRA actress. She has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs and has been a guest speaker on a variety of golf topics. She has written several golf-related articles and her monthly syndicated golf lifestyle column has been running since 2003 and appears in Huffington Post, Cybergolf , New England Golf Monthly, Florida Golf Central, Miami Visitor Book, Alaska In flight magazine, Golfers Guide, Stratosphere private jet magazine.
In 2011 she launched Two Good Rounds, a golf lifestyle brand with the first book in the series: Two Good Rounds – 19th Hole Stories from the World’s Greatest Golfers based on interviews with 36 of the top golfers in the world discussing fun, feel good memories on and off the golf course. Two Good Rounds SUPERSTARS– Golf Stories from the World’s Greatest Athletes 54 of the top athletes in the world share their stories and passion for golf. Two Good Rounds TITANS– Leaders in Industry & Golf interviews 33 CEO’s from around the world who own their own golf course and shares the importance of golf and how golf has impacted their lives. She splits her time between New York City and Florida.www.twogoodrounds.com / www.execgolfintl.com