A league of their own
Women’s golf program is about more than keeping score
You would think that two women who spend the majority of their days thinking about or playing golf would be phenomenal players.
But the mother-daughter team of Dianne and Kristy Hutton would be the first to tell you that you’d be wrong.
“We’re not that good,” says Dianne (the mom), chuckling. “I mean, I’m not that good.”
“We’re not pros — we’re recreational golfers,” Kristy happily explains.
“But we really love the game and we have so much fun.”
That enthusiasm — rather than their golf scores — is likely the reason for the ongoing success of their company, Golfaround.
Based out of Calgary — with a program in Edmonton and plans to expand into central Alberta — Golfaround offers a golf league and lesson program for women, focusing on affordable activities that allow you to have a great time while improving your game.
“We wanted women to have the opportunity to look at the game or get better at it in a non-intimidating environment,” Kristy says.
“You want it to be fun and you want it to be supportive.”
She says it all began back in 1997 with 12 women, who they like to call “the dirty dozen,” getting together regularly to play golf. Dianne was organizing their tee times, and then she began organizing lessons, and one thing soon led to another.
These days, Dianne and Kristy arrange lessons, league play, clinics and social events for more than 600 Golfaround members.
“We have about an 80 per cent return rate, so I guess we’re doing something right,” Kristy says.
Those members range in age from late 20s to over 70, and their skill sets are just as varied. Seasoned players have plenty of opportunities to improve their skills with Golfaround, but Dianne says they also make a special effort to work closely with beginners who may find the sport a bit intimidating. That includes teaching them etiquette on the course — everything from how to keep score to where to park the golf cart — as well as the skills to play the game.
“You don’t want to make stupid mistakes. I’ve done that — it doesn’t feel good. I picked up some guy’s ball once and, oh, I thought he was going to kill me,” she says, laughing.
“So we just think people need to know those kinds of things.”
The lessons are taught by certified pros at various semi-private, private and public courses, with league play on top of that. Mindful of busy moms and corporate women, Kristy says the lessons are offered on a pay-as-you-go basis, which makes it easier if you can’t commit to a set schedule.
“I think most women take on way too much,” she says.
“They try to be everything to everyone, so saying that you’re going to get out and play once a week is easier said than done. It’s tough.
“But I’ve always felt that women should have some time for themselves, and this is a chance for them to have that one day or night a week.”
Both women agree that the social side of Golfaround is probably what keeps their members coming back year after year.
They offer small group lessons so the women can get to know each other on the course, and they also plan plenty of excursions that range from mystery bus trips to play-and-stay weekends to overseas getaways.
Those trips are one of the many things Nicki Heikkinen loves about Golfaround.
The longtime golfer says she didn’t know what to expect when she joined 12 years ago, but since then, she’s gained new friends and travel companions as well as a better golf score.
“Initially, it was just about getting out and playing and improving, but the women were just so great,” Heikkinen says.
“My experience with other clubs — just ladies leagues at regular golf courses — is that they tend to get quite cliquey.
“But here, they don’t encourage you to golf with the same people every time. . . . It’s kind of one of their unspoken rules.
“They try to mix it up, and there are ladies from all different walks of life, so it’s great networking for women.
“And everyone’s really friendly.”
That camaraderie among the women is one of the reasons why Dianne and Kristy have stuck with a female-only format, though they have decided to introduce a mixed league this summer.
It’s one example of their efforts to keep Golfaround programs interesting for their returning clients, as well as encourage more women to discover their favourite sport.
“Everyone needs to get exercise, and what better way to get it?” Kristy says.
“You get out there, and it’s so peaceful. . . . It’s that little piece of heaven.”
To find out more about Golfaround’s upcoming programs, visit golfaround.ca or call 403-253-2689.