West Palm Beach, Tuesday, February 7, 2023 Women’s Golf Day (WGD) has announced the winners of the 2022 Inspire Action Awards. This year’s awards reflect the tremendous international reach of WGD with winners from: North America – Mark Gore, SVP Golf Operations Invited: Canada – Shannon Cole, Vice President, Brand Marketing, RBC: Scotland – Iona Stephen, Presenter: and Spain – Finca Cortesin.
The awards, which were announced during the PGA Merchandise Show are presented annually and acknowledge the important role that these individuals and organizations play to Engage, Empower and Support women and girls through golf. Founder Elisa Gaudet also announced that WGD 2023 will be a weeklong celebration, for the first time, offering locations the chance to host an event on any day from May 30th, the same date as WGD’s PALOOZA digital event, through to WGD’s birthday on Tuesday June 6th.
Iona Stephen, who has been working with the R&A to create engaging content around golf and health, was able to accept her award in person from Elisa. On receiving the award she commented: “I’m flattered to receive this award and am glad if my platform in golf has inspired just one person to take up sport or one woman to feel like she too can enjoy this wonderful game. As a female working in the golf industry, with a platform, I know my voice and actions matter. I hope to keep spreading the message of how welcoming golf can be, the community it offers and how, in fact, life enhancing it can be. We all have to use the voice we have, and I have more work to do.”
Vicente Rubio, President of Fina Cortesin who are hosts of this year’s Solheim Cup matches and long-time supporter of Women’s Golf Day, commented on hearing of their award: “Finca Cortesin is extremely proud to have been presented with an Inspire Action Award by Women’s Golf Day. Providing equal opportunities in the game of golf to women and girls has always been a key focus for the resort since it opened, and to me personally. As the host venue for this year’s Solheim Cup, we are dedicated to creating a lasting legacy in the region.”
“Our aim is to improve the accessibility for women at all levels in the sport, both on and off the course, through our ongoing commitments made to The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, as well as the three Spanish Ladies European Tour professionals that we currently sponsor on tour.”
Shannon Cole, Vice President, Brand Marketing, RBC, who received the exciting news about her Individual award from Women’s Golf Day over the phone, commented: “I am honored to receive Women Golf Day’s 2023 Inspire Action Award and to be recognized among past and current recipients who have made a meaningful impact on the golf industry and advancing women golfers. RBC was thrilled to announce a partnership with WGD last year, launching the inaugural and inspiring WGD RBC Toronto event. I am proud to continue collaborating with WGD this year, moving the needle on our shared vision to champion women in sport.”
INSPIRE ACTION AWARDS – Individuals
Shannon Cole, Vice-President, Brand Marketing, RBC.
Iona Stephen, Presenter, Commentator, Host, Ambassador for Titleist & Foot Joy
INSPIRE ACTION AWARDS – Facilities
Mark Gore – PGA, SVP Golf Operations, Invited Clubs
Finca Cortesin – Casares, Spain
“All of our winners share the same passion we have for ensuring that more women and girls are given the chance to play golf,” comments Gaudet. “We are delighted that they are part of our growing global community and continue to be inspired by their work. 2023 is going to be a fantastic year for women’s golf and for Women’s Golf Day. The new weeklong format is our first major change since we launched WGD and will offer locations and women even more opportunity to get involved.”
To find out more about Women’s Golf Day and what benefits your registration entitles you to simply visit: www.womensgolfday.com/register
Women’s Golf Day Official Partners
Callaway Golf, ClubCorp, FootJoy, GloveIt, Golf Town, Titleist, The R&A, and PGA TOUR Superstore.
Women’s Golf Day is also proudly supported by: All Square, Annika Foundation, Asian Golf, The California Alliance for Golf, Chronogolf, Cutter & Buck, EGCOA, European Tour, European Tour Properties, The First Tee, Gallus Golf, The Golf Channel, GolfNow, Invited, Imperial Headwear, International Golf Federation, LET, Modest Golf Management, NGCOA, NGCOA Canada, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, Players First, Prestige Flag, Sky Sports, TopGolf, TopTracer, TPC Properties, Troon Golf, Troon International, USGA, WE ARE GOLF, Women & Golf, Women’s Golf & Travel, The World Golf Foundation and more.
About Women’s Golf Day
Women’s Golf Day (WGD) is a global movement that Engages, Empowers, and Supports women and girls through golf and facilities them learning the skills that last a lifetime. The one-day, four-hour event, has now taken place at more than 1000 locations in nearly 80 countries since its inception in 2016, and has introduced thousands of new golfers to the sport. WGD is the fastest-growing female golf development initiative.
All are welcome to participate in Women’s Golf Day, except where prohibited by law. Women’s Golf Day does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or sexual orientation.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Nicole Wheatley, Medi8 (UK) nicole@medi8ltd.co.uk +44 (0) 7507 556794
Elisa Gaudet, WGD Founder elisa@execgolfintl.com +1 (305) 610-9558
Sponsorship inquires: marketing@womensgolfday.com
