Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., July 10, 2006 ï?¾ During the month of July, EWGA chapters throughout the country are celebrating the organization’s 15th anniversary. Since the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) was started, more than 80,000 women have benefited from membership in the organization which is dedicated to providing opportunities to learn, play and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life.
On July 10, 1991, Nancy Oliver organized a new golfer clinic for 28 women at the Emerald Dunes Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. She had no way of knowing the endeavor would soon take on a life if its own. As women shared their positive experiences, chapters and membership spread across the country. Today there are 120 EWGA chapters offering a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for both new and experienced golfers.
"Women were eager for a supportive and welcoming environment within which to learn, play and enjoy the game of golf," says Oliver, EWGA’s founder who also served as its first executive director until 2000. "It was quickly apparent that participating women equally valued the resulting fun and friendships. This still holds true today."
Appropriately, each EWGA chapter is holding a 15th birthday party – complete with balloons, banner, candles and cake – during an event in July. The association provided ‘birthday-in-a-box" kits that also included fundraising materials for the EWGA Foundation, the charitable arm of the association.
"We wanted all of our members to have a chance to join in the celebration," says Pam Swensen, the chief executive officer of EWGA. "In just 15 short years, we have made a difference in the lives of so many. It’s a remarkable adventure and we’ve really just begun."
In addition to golf education and player development, and organized play programs, EWGA chapters and members make significant contributions to their communities. According to a study by the PGA of America, the local economic impact of an EWGA chapter is $577,000 in annual golf related spending. A recent survey of EWGA chapter fundraising and individual donations through the EWGA Foundation revealed that the association’s annual nationwide charitable contributions exceed $500,000.
The EWGA is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The association will continue its 15th anniversary celebration at its annual conference at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens on November 1-4, 2006. For more information see www.ewga.com.
Contact:
Angie Niehoff
Niehoff Marketing Associates
561-868-0297
305-582-7450 (cell)
niehoff@bellsouth.net
