Game-changing conversations at the U.S. Women’s Open

ERIN, Wis. — Of the many reasons why I love U.S. Women’s Open week, the biggest has nothing to do with scores or trophies.

In my estimation, what makes the U.S. Women’s Open great is the same thing that makes golf great — not the birdies or the bogeys but the people behind them.

This week, I met a bunch of golf’s most fascinating people at Erin Hills, when I attended the Golf With Us Presented by Ally leadership panel. Ally, the USGA, and Erin Hills staff invited current female collegiate athletes, sports business majors and young business professionals from the greater Milwaukee area to a panel and networking event aimed at boosting their confidence and using golf as a business tool as they jump into their careers. I wasn’t a college athlete, but as someone who played sports my whole life and now works in the golf industry, the conversation felt extremely relevant to my work as well.

The work started earlier this month with an introductory golf clinic at Erin Hills, where Ally and the USGA provided instruction and perspective from Ally ambassador (and former World No. 1), Lilia Vu.

I have to admit I wasn’t sure what to expect when attending the panel on Thursday afternoon. I headed over to the Ally hospitality tent by the 18th green with an open mind and sat down with a few dozen young women ready to learn. One of my favorite golf media personalities, Tisha Alyn, moderated a series of questions for panelists Chereé Hicks, Jean Beakey and Stephanie Marciano about golf, their careers, confidence and the intersection of all three.

Each woman on the panel had an incredible story to share. Hicks captivated the room with her quick sense of humor and contagious energy as she talked about her journey from a successful track and field athlete at Syracuse University to overseeing the development and management of U.S. National Development Program grants for the USGA. Hicks coached track and field at the college level for years before transitioning over to golf. Her message for young golfers — don’t fear hitting bad shots — was a great reminder to anyone who wants to get into the game (or maybe for people like me, who sometimes avoid playing because they aren’t any good).

Hicks explained that her mom took up golf at age 67, securing clubs in a pretty great deal from her local second-hand sports store. Her point — that you don’t need the latest-and-greatest in golf club tech to enjoy the game — was an important one. Still, my favorite anecdote from Hicks was her “donut day” story — about a friend who attended her company’s sugary get together at 8 a.m. every Wednesday. By saying yes to an extra event at work, Hicks’ friend got to know the CEO of the company when nobody else showed up. Her friend ended up having valuable conversations with the CEO on those “donut days.” Her emphasis on volunteering to go the extra mile stuck with me, and I’m sure will stick with the young women who attended the panel as well

Jean Beakey, VP of strategy and sponsorships at NBC Sports Group, also served on the panel. In her current job, she marries golf’s business and entertainment by piecing together golf TV with its corporate partners. While the golf course is a great place to talk business, Beakey said she prefers to use her time on the course for people skills — really getting to know her clients, coworkers and new friends. Beakey has played golf for most of her life, which has afforded her the sense of belonging on the course that eludes so many young girls. Listening to her speak was a powerful reminder that once you’ve climbed golf’s initial barrier to entry, there’s no limit to the things you can achieve.

The third and final panelist was Stephanie Marciano, head of sports and entertainment marketing at Ally. Marciano is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of Ally’s portfolio of sports partnerships, which includes all manner of teams and leagues, including the presenting partner position to the U.S. Women’s Open. Marciano focused on the traits shared between athletes and successful businesspeople: Hard work, willingness to receive hard feedback, and balance in all corners of life. Marciano has been a key piece of Ally’s move to invest equally in men’s and women’s sports — a targeted decision that is already paying dividends for the company. She gave great interview tips to the women attending the panel, including on the importance of body language, eye contact and personal engagement.

I attended a handful of women in business panels during my time in college, but never one that talked about golf. I left the panel feeling inspired and excited for the young women who attended the panel, many of which I hope to meet in the workforce. I hope they left feeling encouraged and confident in their ability to take up and play golf when the opportunity presents itself, even if it seems scary.

After all, golf is about much more than a score — it’s about the people you share it with. And at the U.S. Women’s Open, there are no shortage of great people.

“>