Written By: Sarah Turner
BATH TOWNSHIP – State legislators and lobbyists traveled from the State Capitol to Hawk Hollow GC to participate in the annual Women in Politics event.
GAM hosted a clinic to equip women in the Capitol with valuable knowledge about golf, on-course skills, and community on course. The Michigan Women’s Golf Caucus co-chairs, Sen. Sylvia Santana, Sen. Michele Hoitenga, Rep. Kristian Grant, and Rep. Sarah Lightner, spearheaded the event, inviting all women legislators and staff within the State Capitol to attend.
The Golf Association of Michigan hosted a golf clinic for legislators and lobbyists to learn more about the game. Teaching professionals guided attendees through putting, chipping, and full-swing skills to assist beginner golfers or fine-tune more experienced players. Legislators and lobbyists had the opportunity to learn from female LPGA & PGA professionals on the range and green at Hawk Hollow.
In previous years, the Golf Association of Michigan worked with legislators to host this event. For the inaugural event, GAM President Emerita Sara Wold teamed up with GAM and women in the Michigan legislature to host a two-hour rotating seminar at Michigan State University, which focused on putting, chipping, and long-range shots. Subsequent years saw roadblocks such as the COVID pandemic, preventing the event from taking place. This year marks the revitalization of the partnership with Michigan Women’s Golf Caucus and the Golf Association of Michigan through this clinic. “We’ve always felt that at the GAM, we should be offering this (event) as a part of growing the game,” stated Francine Pegues.
GAM Governor Francine Pegues contributed heavily to the success of the event, stating that “it exceeded our expectations.” Over 100 women from the State Capitol were in attendance, with over 50 of them receiving lessons from professionals. “I heard from all the women who took a lesson, ‘Thank you for the lessons and thank you for encouraging me to take the lesson.’ The organizers who we worked with, also thanked us and said it was terrific,” Pegues said.
“One of the reasons the GAM wanted to be involved is we serve amateur golf in the state of Michigan, but we’re also a big member of the Golf Alliance and want to get our story across that golf is very important to the Michigan economy,” states GAM President Emerita, Judy Lazzaro.
“It was important to work with Senator Santana to offer women legislators, their staff, women lobbyists the fundamentals of a golf scramble, a golf outing, and the fundamentals of putting and chipping,” Pegues stated.
Senator Sylvia Santana stated that “building those relationships and being able to have spaces where women can show up and network and build relationships with other women is really crucial to our success.” Representative Sarah Lightner stated how “It’s a great event to network, get to know more people, and expands your horizons.”
Wednesday May 21st, the Golf Association of Michigan will join the Michigan Golf Alliance at the Legislative Day at the Capitol, also known as “Golf on the Lawn”. This day will be an opportunity to speak with legislators and educate them on the importance of the Michigan golf industry within the economy, environment, and surrounding communities. This event will take place on the State Capitol Lawn in conjunction with state legislators and staff.
