The Women In Golf Foundation, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a 501-C3 organization that promotes women in golf. The organization focuses on creating opportunities for females by implementing programs that develop leadership and life skills as they learn to play the game of golf competitively and for business and recreational purposes.

by Oneda Castillo, LPGA Teaching Professional
I was always an athlete. I played everything that my brothers and their friends played - sometimes better than them. I even played professional women's football for the Cleveland Brewers back in the 70's. When Ron and I had our son, Ron Jr., I really had no time for sports. Guys will go out and play always, but girl mostly do not, so I bowled a little in a league, but that was it. Ron was invited out to play golf for the first time with some work buddies, and he loved it, so he took me out to the driving range the very next day. Within two weeks all three of us had new clubs and we were signed up for golf lessons.

The thing that really inspired me to teach golf started a few years later when I signed up our seven-year-old daughter, Bianca, for golf lessons. It took a couple of seasons before I understood that our teaching pro really wanted to be a Tour player and was only teaching the kids to pay his bills. I took Bianca out of that program and signed her up in a program where I eventually became a parent volunteer, and I loved it. The one thing that I continued to see, as the family grew into golf was that all of our teachers were guys. Some were really good teachers and, of course, some were not so good.

I finally went to Florida to a golf school were I had lessons from my first two female golf professionals: Carla Glasgow and Lori Griffey. They were my true inspirations. They not only knew golf, but they also talked about boobs and girl stuff that effects your golf swing, things that no guy could possibly know. I continued to learn from Lori for many years while we played golf together in Cleveland, Ohio (where she spent her summers).

The most important thing that I learned from these women was that women truly are the best teachers. We tend to listen better and we are more nurturing by nature, which is important especially for young girls.

My own daughter explained best what golf can do for young girls when she graduated from high school. After having played four years for her school, she said, “Golf gave me a place in my school, even as a freshman. I instantly had a group of friends that were all older kids. I became a big kid on campus. Golf was the best thing that I did in high school.” As a parent, I saw a kid who gained high self-esteem, learned self-discipline, independence, honesty, patience, and leadership skills - all from chasing the little white ball. I want to help as many youngsters and women as I can to reap the benefits that knowing the game of golf can provide.

The Women In Golf Foundation trains and supports young golfers through college and into their chosen fields. The organization’s signature focus is on development of women collegiate golf teams and identifying career opportunities within the golf industry and other corporate positions. We want to help prepare our youth to be successful in life, and in the corporate arena, the game of golf provides and excellent vehicle for this because it does mirror life and its obstacles. While the organizations focus is on girls, boys who apply are considered and accepted if space permits.

These efforts are funded via fundraisers, grants, corporate and personal contributions. The signature fundraising event is the Women's Collegiate Golf Classic. In addition to this annual event the organization secures grants and other funding sources to support youth learning the game of golf. The Women In Golf Foundation is currently operating with a USGA Grant and a Growth of the Game Grant from the PGA of America Foundation.

To learn more about The Women In Golf Foundation, visit www.womeningolffoundation.org.