THE GBQ PODCAST
‘I’ve heard all the comments but I think it’s getting a lot better’
On The GBQ Podcast, Adele McLean, Managing Director at TGI Golf, talked about both the opportunities and challenges for women in the golf industry
WOMEN are filling many more positions in the golf industry but the key remains making sure that opportunities are visible, said TGI Golf Managing Director Adele McLean.
Speaking on The GBQ Podcast, she told Sarah Stirk that while positions were advertised “women don’t seem to go for them, so we need to do a better job of promoting that”.
McLean took charge of the leading retail services group in April – having worked for the group for 16 years.
“When I started a long time ago, there were very, very few females within the industry. It's great now to see there are so many more positions,” she said on the podcast.
“If you look around the industry, you'll see Lisa Lovatt at PING, Gemma Jenkins at Peter Millar. There is Helen Willsmer at Callaway Apparel.
“There are a lot of people within the industry now and it’s just making sure women can see those opportunities are available.
“I think there is a real drive, certainly within the industry, from the supplier side and from The PGA side as well – from participation, from trainees coming through and other jobs.
“It’s making sure women know those opportunities are out there because sometimes jobs are advertised but women don’t seem to go for them, and I think that’s just because they don’t see themselves in this industry so we need to do a better job at promoting that.”
On the need for female role models, McLean added: “It’s great to see. You see the work Nicole Wheatley has done with women and golf and the work The R&A are trying to do as well.
“I can see a massive change and I think people are starting to see those opportunities and the people who are in positions already are desperate to be mentors and help out anybody who wants to break into the industry. “
Asked what some of the barriers had been for women and what she had experienced in her own career, McLean said: “I’m a bit thick skinned and I’ve probably heard it all over the years. It doesn’t bother me too much, to be honest.
“I’ve heard all the comments but I think it’s getting a lot better. My kids are older now, so it’s not too bad but juggling kids and family life and work and travel is hard.
“Sometimes it can be intimidating when you used to go into meetings and there were 20 people round a table and you’re the only woman sitting there - you had to make sure you got your voice heard.
“You probably sat quietly to start with but you know your opinion is as valid as anybody else’s in that room.”
And McLean said there was a definite increase in the number of women professionals, both at TGI Golf and within the wider industry – citing the change from the previously near all-male graduation pictures of the past.
“Within TGI we’ve always been quite fortunate that we have had quite a few women pros within the group but we are definitely seeing it increasing.
“Over in Ireland, we’ve got quite a strong number of women pros within the group but I think it’s great when you look at the The PGA’s graduation pictures now from the University of Birmingham.
“That picture just used to be all men and now there are a lot of women. I think The PGA are doing a good job in trying to promote that as well.”
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