A Woman’s Solution, with Jane Watson
President, Executive Women’s Golf Association Greater Toronto Area Chapter

The Power Of The Purse

Well, the golf season is again upon us. Have you had a chance to note the other players? Did you know that according to last year’s IPSOS Reid study, one out of every three core golfers is now a woman?

This, then, brings us to the power of the purse. Too many women play as individuals or with a small group of friends, but if they united they could request and obtain special privileges from their local suppliers and golf venues.

That’s one of the benefits of belonging to the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) – a not-for-profit organization, composed of over 20,000 members across Canada, the U.S. and France.

Because the EWGA name is growing, we are able to attract sponsors and to talk to golf courses about special EWGA rates and play times. EWGA members also have access to our international directory, permitting members to play golf at EWGA rates with other members when travelling on business or pleasure.

Not all locations have enough women golfers yet to form a full EWGA Chapter. That’s why we have established new categories of membership. Chapters are groups of 25 women or more who operate under official bylaws and with a board. Each Chapter must run a yearly championship. 

A Wing is a sub-chapter. It is composed of nine to 24 members and is organized by a co-ordinator and an assistant. An Eagle is a designation for a woman who does not have access to a Wing or a Chapter. EWGA Canada notifies the Wing co-ordinator or closest Eagle member whenever it receives a new registration from a woman living or working near them. All Eagles and Wing members are entitled to play in one Chapter championship a year. All flights are welcome.

The winners of Chapter championships then go on to sectional tournaments in the U.S. and the winners then take part in the world’s largest amateur golf tournament for all flights.

However, not all our events are competitive. Some women just want to have fun. We are also organizing a group of ladies to play golf in Ottawa on the weekend of August 15 and then attend the Canadian Open.

On a side note: Callaway Canada is a golf manufacturer that recognizes the growing numbers of women golfers and has, therefore, become a major EWGA sponsor for Canada. Not only do they provide all EWGA members with a 2-for-1 fitting discount at all their Canadian performance centres, but they also have set up a golf blog for women, accessible at the EWGA site. Callaway is also planning a terrific party for women golfers at Copper Creek GC in Kleinburg, Ontario on June 25. 

For more information on the golf party, golf blog, trip to Ottawa, and the benefits of becoming an EWGA member, visit www.ewga.ca - love to hear from you!


Jane Watson, 2007-08 President of the Executive Women’s Golf Association, is a businesswoman with a passion for golf. Fortunately, her work — as a trainer/consultant in business writing — allows her to travel across Canada. Whenever possible, she takes her clubs with her. The goal of Jane and her husband is to play all the public platinum-rated courses in Canada. They are currently just over half-way through their journey.

For more information on the EWGA, visit www.ewga.com 
For information on the Greater Toronto Area Chapter visit www.ewg.on.ca 
For information on the Waterloo Chapter visit www.ewgawaterlooregion.com 

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