Discover Flinders Golf Club: Welcoming Women onto the Fairways
Flinders Golf Club is a historic treasure of Victorian golf. Located on the same spectacular site for over 120 years, the course is fun and interesting to play and while short in length, can provide a challenge to golfers of all abilities. The Club also has an intrinsic connection with the local community and has a strategic focus endorsed by the Committee and members to increase the number of women members.
One of the Club’s most successful initiatives to introduce women to golf is through the 12 week “Pathways” programme. The aim is to provide the opportunity for beginner golfers to learn the basics of golf and gain confidence on the course, through a series of lessons, hitting balls on the practice fairway and by playing a number of holes on the course with a mentor. The programme provides tremendous value for money and is undertaken in an enjoyable, inclusive and informative manner. Since 2019 there have been 240 women who have signed up to the programme. They have been so engaged that 119 of the women have subsequently committed to a Club membership.
Graduates from the programme have immersed themselves into Club life in many different ways including:
Representing the Club in interclub matches
Winning the C Grade Club Championship
Active involvement in day-to-day Club life including the many and varied social activities
Mentoring new Pathway attendees
Being appointed to a Club subcommittee.
There are currently two women members on the General Committee who progressed through the Pathways programme.
Flinders Golf Club is dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for women to ensure maximum satisfaction and participation is derived from being involved with the Club. There is a very popular weekly 13 Hole competition – which provides members the opportunity to play competitive golf, although it is generally in a more social environment. Summer twilight golf – a nine-hole social competition followed by dinner - promotes interaction both on the course and in the Clubhouse.
The Club has obtained a grant from Golf Australia to provide a scholarship for 7 local school girls and has recently established a dedicated working group to continue to develop engagement opportunities for both women members and those from within the community.
Benefits of being a member of Flinders extend beyond just playing the course. The Club has a highly regarded Golf Professional who can not only provide ongoing golf tuition, he can also personally assist new golfers in securing the best equipment to continue their golfing journey. There are also outstanding social and dining opportunities in the Clubhouse which provides breathtaking, sweeping views across to Phillip Island and over Bass Straight. The kitchen is fast becoming renowned for providing consistent, high quality meals over a range of diverse menus.
The Club also provides affordable and convenient access to social golfers and there are stay and play packages available at venues like The Flinders Hotel.
Please consider joining our thriving community of women golfers at Flinders and experience the camaraderie and fun of golf at the Club.
You can book for the September Pathways programme now, or contact the Club to arrange a tour of the facilities. You will not be disappointed.
For further information about Flinders Golf Club please contact the Club’s General Manager, Jon Gahan at gm@flindersgolfclub.com.au
