Donna Hoffman
Founder & President, Women on Course
Oakton, Virginia
Back in 2012, Augusta National Golf Club -- long revered in the golfing world as the Sistine Chapel of the sport -- announced with great pride (a “joyous occasion,” according to former Augusta Chairman Billy Payne) that the Club had invited bureaucrat Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore to join the club as its first female members.
But the sad truth is that women had nothing to cheer about this “joyous occasion” at Augusta. That publicity stunt a decade ago did not represent any meaningful change in the club’s policy of exclusion. It simply provided Augusta National with convenient and high-profile validation that the Club would continue to exercise its right to do whatever it wants…whenever it wanted to.
Today, in 2021, there are only 6 females in Augusta’s roster of approximately 300 members. So much for gender equality. But this podcast is not intended to be a rant against a private club’s sexist membership policy. I mention Augusta National for two reasons:
First, Augusta reflects, in many ways, the challenges that women face in exploring any interest they may have in playing the game, and in being accepted as bona fide members of the golfing community…both on the professional and amateur levels.
Secondly, it provides a convenient introduction to an individual who, unlike Augusta National, is actually doing something tangible and meaningful…both for women and for the game of golf.
Donna Hoffman is a CPA and a self-proclaimed former golf widow who, over the past 16 years, has built one of the most successful national networks of women who are provided opportunities to enjoy the game of golf on their own terms. By demystifying the game, Donna has removed the intimidation factor, and empowered women to become comfortable and confident in a golf setting.
Donna Hoffman is founder of “Women on Course,” which has redefined the sport to encompass business networking, travel, socialization and personal style. Each year, Women on Course hosts around 800 local golf, social and networking events across the country for its 20,000 members. They also provide custom golf events and programs for organizations seeking to develop their female leaders. In addition to running her organization, Donna speaks to Fortune 500 companies on the value of golf as a confidence builder – as well as a business development tool – while providing beginners a fun and easy on-ramp to be part of the conversation.
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