More women and girls have access to these festive events in 2023 than ever before due to the new week-long format and the increase in the number of participating countries and venues.
“Every year we increase the number of facilities that host a Women’s Golf Day, and it was very exciting to welcome 139 courses from Japan and watch the impact WGD has on golf around the world on social media, in real time,” said WGD Founder Elisa Gaudit. “I have experienced firsthand how important it is for new and existing female golfers to participate in International Women’s Day events to build confidence, new friendships and lifelong skills. Our aim is to create more opportunity and unity and we are achieving this on a global level.
“Increased demand for additional days from host sites has prompted us to expand to a week-long format, resulting in an impactful and major activation every day this week. Starting May 30 with WGD Palooza Digital Day, and May 31 opening bell on the NYSE with Acushnet. Important to have retail involvement and in-store activation from both the PGA TOUR Superstore and Golf Town, as well as championship courses around the world hosting events.Having lived in NYC for 10 years, it’s exciting to see the WGD and Acushnet billboards in action for a few weeks in Times Square as well as Silicon Valley. This support includes our partners, RBC, who are hosting the RBC Canadian Open this week.”
Highlights of Women’s Golf Day 2023 include:
- WGD Palooza; Specially sponsored USGA museum tour, instructions from Callaway players and Titleist, interview with founding members of Project Ukraine and donations from WGD partners including the USGA, PGA, R&A, Callaway, Titleist, FootJoy, PGA TOUR Superstore, Imperial, Marco Simone, and Making Golf It your thing
- New York Stock Exchange opening; WGD founder Elissa Gaudet was joined by a delegation including representatives from Acushnet and LPGA player Danielle Kang as Gaudet rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange
- New countries; Gambia, Greece, Peru and Zambia joined the WGD community for the first time in 2023, bringing the total number of participating countries to 84.
- Japan’s growth; After staging 3 events in 2022, the WGD and the Japan Golf Association have worked collaboratively to increase the number of host sites in Japan from 3 to 139 in less than 12 months.
- Championship stadiums; Over 1,300 locations have hosted the event since 2016 including high-profile venues such as Marco Simone host of the 2023 Ryder Cup, Pinehurst – host of the 2024 US Open, TPC Sawgrass – The PLAYERS Championship, Firestone Country Club – World Championship Golf, TPC Scottsdale – WM Phoenix Open, Evian Resort – Amundi Evian Championship in France, Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Japan, and Aphrodite Hills Golf & Country Club in Cyprus
- PGA TOUR Superstore (PGATSS) – The official retailer of Women’s Golf Day held in-store activations. PGATSS held events in all stores across the USA, with the exception of California, on June 3. There were driving competitions in the simulators and basic instruction for new golfers as well as putting competitions and a chance to win a Ladies Callaway Golf Bag.
- Golf Town – The Canadian retailer hosted WGD events on June 6 at all 47 locations across Canada.