Local students attend PGA WORKS Beyond the Green at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

Competition from the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship may have come to an end at Sahalee Country Club as Amy Yang earned her first career Major victory, but the Championship’s impact stretched to the day after the final round as a group of local high school students attended PGA WORKS Beyond the Green.

This career-exploration event, held in conjunction with PGA of America Championships, is designed to educate and inspire students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the business of golf and beyond.

Young women representing Shoreline High School, First Tee-Greater Seattle and Seattle Parks and Recreation gathered at Sahalee Country Club to learn from golf industry leaders about careers within the growing $102 billion industry. The experience introduces attendees to new perspectives that cultivate curiosity and empower students with valuable tools for personal and professional success.

After a welcome message from PGA of America REACH Foundation Senior Director Kennie Sims, PGA, a panel discussion led by hosts Coach Shayain, LPGA Certified Golf Instructor who is on the Board of Directors of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association; and Addie Parker, freelance writer for Golf Digest and the LPGA, challenged participants on what it means to live “A Bold Life." The discussion provided insights to leverage diverse skills and backgrounds to forge unique careers and use innovative thinking to shape the future of golf.

“A lot of our focus today was about building up your confidence, how to be authentic and how to show up for yourself,” Parker said. “Within the golf industry, anytime you can express to people that there are opportunities outside of playing, that’s always a good thing. Beyond the Green is doing a really good job of providing exposure, especially today in a room full of young women.”

“A Bold Life” Panelists Included Jeehae Lee, CEO of Sports Box Tech; Sirene Blair, PGA Associate, Recruiting and Member Engagement Specialist, PGA of America; and Thurshari Gooneratne, Community Manager, Chase.

“I hope they understand the opportunities are limitless,” said Gooneratne, who also led a discussion around financial education. “I also hope they find a mentor or advocate who will support them in their careers.”

Additionally, a Fireside Chat with Jennifer Clyde, Co-Owner of women’s golf apparel company Fore All, gave students the opportunity to inquire about Clyde’s career and learn about her unique golf lifestyle brand that aims to connect women around the industry.

To conclude the event, students participated in a meet-and-greet with PGA of America Hall of Fame member Renee Powell, PGA/LPGA, who was the first African American woman to become a member of the PGA of America, and LPGA Tour player Mariah Stackhouse, who competed in the championship at Sahalee.

“You certainly don’t have to become a touring golf professional, but there are so many areas within the game, no matter what career you're going into,” Powell said to the participants. “No matter what career you choose, getting involved in golf can always be a wonderful stepping-stone.”

PGA WORKS is a strategic initiative, designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce. Funded by the PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501c3 charitable foundation of the PGA of America, PGA WORKS leverages fellowships, scholarships, career exploration events and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship to inspire and engage talent from diverse backgrounds to pursue key employment positions across the golf industry.

About PGA of America REACH Foundation

The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501c3 charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of the Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org.