There's a Spot for Women in Golf at LEGS
The vision of the Ladies Executive Golf Society (LEGS) is to bring women together to build their businesses in an inclusive setting on the golf course to:
Learn the game of golf
Improve golf confidence
Have fun
Experience the sport in a female-friendly way
Drink wine
Network and build businesses
Meet amazing women in the community
Chantel McCabe, sideline reporter and Dormie Network ambassador, sat down with Jillian Foss, MPH, an advisor for BKS Partner, to talk about empowering women in the workplace and as leaders. In 2020, Jillian Foss received Professional Business Woman of the Year from her local Chamber Professional Women’s Council. She founded the Ladies Executive Golf Society in 2018, which welcomes women to the game of golf with events that connect business professionals.
When did you start playing golf?
It’s funny. In junior high, my dad said “You can either play JV golf or you can play Varsity golf and play a sport for the rest of your life.” I said, “I guess I’m playing golf.”
I think a lot of times dads have a hard time convincing their daughters to play because it doesn’t seem cool.
How was the Ladies Executive Golf Society formed?
I found that a lot of women wanted to play golf. Don’t learn from your boyfriend, husband, or partner because you won’t enjoy it. That’s how LEGS was created—to find a female-friendly platform for women to feel comfortable to step into the game in a non-judgmental game.
What are some of the success stories that have come from LEGS?
I just love it. My day job is insurance and finance and if I cold-call somebody, “Hey, I want to talk to you about insurance,” they would hang up on me. But when you’re connecting with women on the golf course and then drinking wine, they’re way more comfortable with talking about things at work and then you just find ways to connect the dots.
I think it’s kind of a three-part thing. One, I get so excited when women come and get hooked and they get to do extra-curricular golf and lessons. Two, when you see some of the women hanging out with each other and connecting outside of golf. Three, when you see these women who have been awarded these incredible things, whether it’s CFO of the year or Fortune Magazine’s ’40 under 40.’ We want to keep that support whether it’s on the golf course or not.
What are some specific stories that utilized golf to enhance what they’re doing in business?
What gets me the most excited are all of the charity tournaments that happen. Women used to be left in the office, and the men go out and have fun. Women used to be intimidated but I’m seeing more and more women go out there.
There are tons of stories. One of my clients is with a CPA firm. She knew I liked golf so she wanted to connect me with one of her business partners. I invited her to come out and told her, “just hit from where I am hitting, and just get a taste of it.” Now she’s working with the CPA firm.
I know that one of the girls found a job through one of the other girls who came to LEGS.
It’s a magic that happens on the golf course. You feel like you get to know somebody way more after 9 holes of golf than 9 years of doing lunch meetings. It’s that vulnerability that makes it like after 9 holes you know if you believe in that person, their integrity, and the kind of person they are.
What’s something you think would help break any existing barriers for women in golf?
Golf traditionally has the rules: people are uptight, you have to wear collared shirts, and play 18 holes. Women are busy—they’ve got kids, they’ve got families and have very dynamic lives. Just being accommodating to the time women can dedicate would be great.
We always use the best-ball format. Women are so encouraging whether you whiff the ball or hit a great shot. When you’re on that team and have that team aspect, it helps.
I always thought it would be cool to have a women's-only golf course. I do think men are an important aspect in the women’s empowerment movement, but when I check in with our members, they appreciate our women’s only piece because they feel so much more comfortable.
Learn more about LEGS at ladiesexecutivegolfsociety.com
Interview by Chantel McCabe.
Learn more about the Dormie Network experience, or check out stories that show how one woman built relationships through golf, and how another gained more business influence through the game.
