Go For The Greens

Cindy Chace, government sales manager for Atlanta, GA-based UPS, the world’s largest package delivery company, is a firm believer in the importance of golf in the corporate world. Over the years, from her office in Washington, DC, she also recognized that many women entrepreneurs were missing out on key opportunities because they were not present when business was conducted on the golf course. She decided to make a difference and cofounded, with Diane Sears, president of DiVerse Media LLC, “Go for theGreens,” a business development conference for women entrepreneurs. The event, which is held in Orlando, includes a golf networking component.

Now in its third year, “Go for the Greens” is a not-for-profit venture operated by a volunteer team from organizations such as the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) and others. The corporate partners include cofounders UPS and Walt Disney World.

From the beginning, Chace explained, the founders worked closely with their supplier diversity team to create a women-friendly environment. She also noted that men are not excluded. “We wanted a balance of education and networking,” Chace said. “We focused on three pillars to teach women: 1. how to increase their revenues through seminars and workshops; 2. ways to incorporate green practices and sustainability; and 3. networking skills through golf.”

Last year’s event drew nearly 250 attendees, including 72 golfers, who came from all across the U.S., Canada and even Nicaragua, demonstrating that the easy access from most major gateway cities to Orlando is a definite plus.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is the host hotel. Its designation by the Florida Green Lodging Program aligns well with the green theme of the entire event. The BoardWalk Conference Center offers 21,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space, providing a convenient place to conduct the networking events and business meetings.

Selecting the right golf course is as important as choosing the conference hotel, according to Chace. Yet both components had to build upon each other in order for the entire event to be successful. “We selected the Disney product to host our event. They ‘get’ our business model, understand that not all meetings are created equal, and are willing to be flexible. Of course, both their hotel and golf products are remarkable, too.”

After looking at all of the Disney golf courses, Chace decided upon Disney’s Osprey Ridge Golf Course at Walt Disney World Resort — one of the most difficult Disney courses. Designed by Tom Fazio, the course is rated four out of five stars by Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play.”

According to Chace, first-time and frequent golfers appreciate its beauty — dramatic golf holes lined with stands of oak, pine, palmetto, cypress and bay trees. Recognized as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary, the surrounding vistas of vegetation and wetlands are a breathtaking backdrop to a day of golf.

“When we partnered with Disney, we looked at several courses, including Osprey Ridge,” said Chace. “Besides its amazing views, this course offers the best options to facilitate private awards.”

Golf Newbies

A challenging golf course presented another dilemma for Chace, who based the event premise on learning the game. Chace said many of their women attendees may be first-time golfers. To help the cause, other women business owners donate loaner clubs to the “Go for the Greens” players. Disney allows the golfers to carry as few as three clubs, and volunteers put them into UPS shipping tubes and strap them onto the back of the golf carts.

This year, new players also completed a questionnaire, which helps Chace set up appropriate foursomes among players who have “played occasionally” or “never touched a club.” Newbies are paired with experienced golfers — those who are patient and willing to teach. In addition, inexperienced golfers are also allowed to drive their ball from a spot on the fairway about 150 yards out from the green — rather than the tee box.

Another element for newbies that can be modified for any corporate group is a simple, fun test about golf that is conducted on the course. Chace explained, “The questions are all about golf, from etiquette to how to score to what’s the club that gets the ball into the hole. It’s important for them to learn all the nuances of golf, and we want to help them along the way. Of course, the person that answers the most questions correctly wins a prize.”

“Go for the Greens” arranged for the EWGA to set up an information table near the conference registration desk during the final day of the conference. This arrangement gave beginners the opportunity to privately ask questions about golf and eased the first step onto the golf course. In addition, a seminar about the importance of networking on golf courses was also part of the program."