Game-changing conversation at the US Women’s Open

Erin, Wisconsin – I love many reasons why we women’s opening week, the biggest one is that it has nothing to do with scores or trophys.

By my estimate, the greatness of making American women open is what makes golf great, not birds or bogey, but people Behind them.

This week, when I was presented by Ally Leadership Cons, we were in golf, I met a bunch of the most fascinating people in golf at Erin Hills. Ally, USGA and Erin Hills staff have invited now female college athletes, sports business majors and young business professionals, from the Greater Milwaukee area to a group and network event, designed to boost their confidence and use golf as a business tool as they enter their careers. I’m not a college athlete, but as a sport that plays my life and now working in the golf industry, the conversation is also very relevant to my work.

The work began earlier this month at Erin Hills’ introductory golf clinic where Ally and USGA provided guidance and perspectives from Ally Ambassador (and former World No. 1) Lilia Vu.

I must admit that I am not sure what to expect when I was on the group Thursday afternoon. I headed to the 18th Green Allied Hospitality Tent with an open attitude and prepared to study with dozens of young women. One of my favorite golf media figures, Tisha Alyn, provides group members Chereé Hicks, Jean Beakey and Stephanie Marciano with a range of questions about golf, their careers, confidence and the intersection of the three.

Every woman on the panel has an incredible story. Hicks draws the room with a quick sense of humor and infectiousness as she talks about the journey of successful track and field athletes from Syracuse University to oversee the development and management grants of the U.S. National Development Program. Hicks coached track and field at the college level for many years before transitioning to golf. Her message to young golfers – don’t worry about bad shots – for anyone who wants to play (or maybe for someone like me, sometimes avoiding playing because there is no benefit).

Hicks explained that her mom started playing golf at the age of 67 and gained a lot from her local used sports store. Her point of view – you don’t need the latest golf club skills to enjoy this game – is an important point of view. Still, my favorite anecdote of Hicks is her “Donut Day” story- about a friend who attends her company’s sugary every Wednesday at 8 a.m. By saying “yes” to extra activities at work, Hicks’ friends met the company’s CEO when no one else showed up. Her friends had valuable conversations with the CEO on those “donut days.” She stressed that she volunteered to go to the extra mile with me and I’m sure, the young women who would stick with the group as well.

Jean Beakey, vice president of strategy and sponsorship at NBC Sports Group, also served on the group. In her current work, she combines golf’s business and entertainment by pieced together golf TV with company partners. While golf courses are a great place to talk business, Beakey says she prefers to use time on courses to gain people’s skills – really getting to know her clients, colleagues and new friends. Beakey played golf all her life, which brought her a sense of belonging to many young girls. Listening to her is a powerful reminder that once you climb the initial barrier to entry to golf, there are no limits to what you can achieve.

The third and last team member is Stephanie Marciano, head of sports and entertainment marketing at Ally. Marciano is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of the Allied Sports Partnership portfolio, which includes a variety of teams and leagues, including partner positions at the U.S. Women’s Open. Marciano focuses on the traits shared between athletes and successful businessmen: hard work, willingness to receive hard feedback and balance in every corner of life. Marciano has been the key to the allies’ average investment in men’s and women’s sports, a targeted decision that has already brought dividends to the company. She provides excellent interview skills to women participating in the group, including the importance of body language, eye contact and personal participation.

During college, I participated in a few women in business groups, but never talked about golf. I let the group inspire and excite the young women who are in the group, and I hope many of them will meet in the workforce. I hope they are encouraged and confident about their athleticism and their ability to play golf when it comes to opportunities, even if it seems horrible.

After all, golf is much more than a score – it’s about people You share it with it. There are many great people at the American Women’s Open.

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