Elisa Gaudet is a cultured, strong, proud,   fighter,   committed   and passionate woman. His relationship with golf began at the young age of twelve and would never cease to be present in his life. With a degree in Literature and Art History, Elisa has collaborated with several American media writing about golf and in 2011 published her first golf book “TWO GOOD ROUNDS 19th Hole Stories from the World’s Greatest Golfers”. Versatile and possessing great beauty, Elisa has worked as a model for many years parading on catwalks around the world.  For more than two decades he has dedicated himself body and soul to golf, especially women’s golf. Committed to the idea of attracting more women to golf, the American founded in 2016 the Women’s Golf Day, a women’s movement that dresses in red and white golf courses around the world during the first week of June.

Elisa: How did the idea of Women’s Golf Day begin?

I have been working in the world of golf with Latin America and the PGA Tour for more than 23 years. In 2016 I started with the idea of the project because the clubs told me they wanted more women playing. I have seen then that they organized few things to attract them and not very suitable, so after looking and studying the data on women women playing golf and what they like, I started the Women’s Golf Day.

What does it consist of?

It is a week long event once a year from the last Tuesday in May to the first Tuesday in June. ( May 28 – June 4, 2024). The golf club decides the day that is best for them. It is a four hour expereince with the first two hours women have a choice of taking lessons, for new and beginners or play a 9 hole scramble, for existing golfers. The second two hours is social and the two groups join. The idea is that there are two hours of play and two social hours and the club can decide if it wants to do it in the morning or in the afternoon. The club only has to register with us through the website and we give them all the marketing tools and materials and they have a profile page on our website for their evento so that woman can find them. They had this page all year long and it helps people find female friendly clubs and allows them to promote their club all year long with other programs and offers they have. Womensgolfday.com

How has this project grown?

It has grown through women’s interest in the movement, we have only listened to women and their needs. It really is very easy for the club to carry it out and they can even win because it can be public or private, it is their own business. It has grown around the world we have over 1200 locations in 84 countries that have participated. Women have become members of clubs and signed thier children up top take lessons and have created a genuine social circle and community.

 Has the idea been well understood? In Spain there is great confusion with this celebration, they do something for women and that’s it, but we are an organization dedicated to growing the image of women, that they have more opportunities, a voice and a presence. In our organization there are twelve people, specialists each in what they do, whether it is the web, social networks or public relations. It is a bit difficult to explain to everyone, but I am sure that, through Ladies in Golf, the benefits for the club and for women will be understood.

How many is it carried out?

It has been to 84 countries and 1,200 different cities in 2019. Covid was hard, but this year we are in 880 places in 72 countries, which is a lot and we are already in places like Nigeria. For this you have to always be working very hard. Fortunately we have been with the R&A for a couple of years and with the USGA, PGA America and also with federations. In 2024 the goal is to concentrate on Spain, Italy and the UK to grow our presence, in these countries as we did with Japan. In 2022 we had 3 golf courses in Japan doing Women’s Golf Day and in 2023 we had 138 courses.

Why the June date?

After talking to the industry and to make it easier for the fields, from this year you can choose a day of a whole week, which goes from the last Tuesday in May to the first Tuesday in June. In the US it is when the season begins and it is the beginning of summer and in several places it is when the weather is good.

Who can join?

A golf resort, golf club, golf shop or driving range. In January we make the registrations and throughout the year the associate can show that they are members through the badge that we send them.

Where would you like to go with Women’s Golf Day?

I want to reach more places and more women. Even if the first time you do the event you only have twenty women, there is always tremendous growth every year. An example of this is La Cala Resort, which this year was on the jumbo screen of Times Square (New York) because we opened the American Stock Exchange with Titleist and Foot Joy on May 31st and put an image of him to thank him for his support.

Do any famous golfers support you? Yes many players have showed thier support. Women and men, both profesional golfers and industry professionals. Laura Davis has come to our RBC event in Canada, as a form of support. Annika Sorenstam which is as busy off course as she i son cours has been a wonderful support and is anvocate for women advancing in golf, especially wiht her annika Foundation that hosts events throughout the world. She understands what we are doing which is uploading the image of the woman.

Is golf your passion?

My passion is to see the woman rising in life, golf is the vehicle. It fascinates me when I see women from all over the world coming together to play golf. Yes I love golf but I love even more what it can do, unite people and give them skills that last a lifetime on and off the course.