Summary

Kristen, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Association of Golf Course Superintendents (PAGCS), joins Tyler Bloom to unpack why many women never consider golf careers, and how to change that. They dig into real barriers (limited exposure, unclear career paths, confidence gaps) and the practical fixes clubs can deploy now: First Green and school partnerships, transparent roles/pay, parental-leave and flexibility that signal belonging, and putting more women in board and management seats. Kristen shares a standout story of a new female assistant superintendent stepping into leadership and winning over the crew, plus how associations amplify progress through advocacy like Pennsylvania National Golf Day. A candid, actionable playbook for boards, GMs, and supers who want women’s leadership to be the norm, not the exception.

What You'll Learn

• Access precedes interest: If women never see the workplace, they won’t picture themselves in it.

• Information builds confidence: Spell out roles, pay, pathways, and training.

• Policies signal belonging: Parental leave, flexibility, and clear job security invite women to stay and lead.

• Representation matters: Women on boards/management widens the hiring aperture.

• Tell the stories: Normalize women’s leadership by celebrating real examples.

• Associations = force multipliers: Advocacy days, school inroads, and visible coalitions expand the tent.

• Culture beats heroics: Team mentality and ego-checks outperform “lone-wolf” leadership.

Links

• Philadelphia Association of Golf Course Superintendents (PAGCS): https://pagcs.org/ 

• First Green Program:  http://www.thefirstgreen.org/

• Bloom Golf Partners: Workforce & Leadership Resources