When the PGA of America moved its headquarters to Frisco, Texas, it was the beginning of a newfound interest in a sport somewhat untapped in Sports City USA. Intentionally designed to welcome new fans and players to golf, PGA Frisco has elevated the access to golf for all ages and categories of players, especially women.
Women’s Golf Month is a month-long celebration launched in 2005 by the PGA of America with the support of the LPGA and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). During June, various initiatives and events are organized to encourage women and girls to participate in golf. The goal is to create a friendlier environment for all golfers, whether they are casual players or avid enthusiasts. So, is it working?
According to the National Golf Foundation, from 2020 to 2022, more than 800,000 American women took up the sport to bring the total to 6.4 million female golfers. This represented a 15% growth in women’s golf compared to a 2% increase in men playing the game.
And, in 2023, approximately seven million women and girls played golf on a course. Females now account for more than one-quarter of the on-course golfer population in the U.S. And, of the 45 million Americans who play any kind of golf, 33% are female.
A Designated Day
In addition to the entire month of promoting women’s golf, a specific day is designated to celebrate ladies in the sport. Founded in 2016, Women’s Golf Day has been celebrated in more than 1,300 locations and more than 84 countries, specifically designed to introduce women to the game of golf.
In recognition of more women taking up the sport of golf, women of all levels of golf experience gathered at PGA Frisco on June 4 for an afternoon of golf, games, and socializing to celebrate Women’s Golf Day. Hosted by Trish Holt, Fields Ranch’s head golf professional, and Elisa Gaudet, the founder of Women’s Golf Day, the Women’s Golf Day celebration included both indoor and outdoor golf experiences.
Faces in Frisco
Not only was Trish Holt named Head Golf Professional at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch when it opened in 2023, but she has a personal connection to Frisco. Learn about Trish’s path of growing up golfing in Frisco and returning after her time as a collegiate golfer to showcase her favorite sport in the place she grew to love it.
Another female in Frisco is PGA of America Coaching Professional Paige Holland. Paige is the only female professional at the PGA of America Coaching Center at PGA Frisco. For budding players looking to conquer the beginner stages, elevate their competitive edge, or simply sharing in the love of the game, Paige is committed to guiding them through each step, putt, and swing.
During Women’s Golf Month, PGA Frisco hosted Golf Girl Games, a female influencer group traveling around sharing their friendly golf competitions on and off the course. The four women golfers paired up with four junior girl golfers for a day on Fields Ranch West.
Golfer Stephanie Connolly-Eiswerth made history by becoming the first woman to win a PGA Tournament Series event in its 46-year history. Continuing on that momentum, Connolly-Eiswerth recently had a nice showing at the PGA Professional Championship in Frisco in April 2024. In that same competition Sofie Madden (pictured above) also represented the ladies well and is a strong example of successful women in golf.
PGA Frisco
If you aren’t familiar with it yet, you may be asking yourself, what is PGA Frisco? Is it a golf course? It’s more than just a course, and it’s changing the way north Texans and visitors experience golf. The 660-acre campus is a unique destination that includes: two world-class 18-hole championship golf courses, collectively known as Fields Ranch, and a state-of-the-art clubhouse. Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco is set to host 30 championships over its first 12 years.
A pillar of PGA Frisco is the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, featuring 500 guest rooms and suites and 10 exclusive four-bedroom Ranch Houses, four pools, destination spa and 127,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Then you have the Monument Realty PGA District which features The Swing, a lighted 10-hole short course, The Dance Floor, a lighted 2-acre putting course and an expansive retail, dining and entertainment district, including an outdoor area for concerts and events.
As if the courses and resort wasn’t enough, the high-tech, data-driven PGA of America Coaching Center is positioned next to the district, plus the Home of the PGA of America, Northern Texas PGA, and the Ronny Golf Park all complete the west portion of the property. Way more than a golf course.
What Lies Ahead
Frisco is proud to host the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship just around the corner in 2025. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is a collaboration between the PGA of America, KPMG, and the LPGA and is broadcast in partnership with NBC and the Golf Channel. With one of the highest purses in women’s golf, the best players in the world descend on Frisco to take on the majestic Fields Ranch East course designed by Gil Hanse. Additionally, programs and initiatives surrounding the KPMG Women’s Championship focus on the development, advancement, and empowerment of women on and off the golf course.
To help former and current college golfers who are interested in pursuing a career in the golf industry, look no further than the “Women Who Want to Work in Golf” program. It provides education, professional development, and career advancement. By working with potential employers the program increases awareness of the availability of talented women looking to enter the golf business.
It’s easy to see the future of women’s golf in Frisco, from the Northern Texas PGA programs, the adorable Ronny Golf Park, or the Frisco ISD golfers working on their game. The top high school golfers from across the country come to PGA Frisco over the summer for the PGA High School Golf National Invitational. Each October, catch the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship, where boys and girls come to impress (and have a blast enjoying the week of games and golf in Frisco).
The female golfer population today is not only growing, but also more diverse than ever. Females make up a larger proportion of beginners and juniors than their representation among on-course participants overall. There are nearly as many female golfers under the age of 30 as
there are over the age of 50. So, not only is women’s golf gaining momentum, but it’s also carving out space on the leaderboard for the next generation.
Stay in the game with Visit Frisco’s events calendar, including golf, live music, family events, and much more.
Women’s Golf in Full Swing in Frisco, Texas
