Golf FORE Girls Program
This program is led by Bellarmine University Women’s Golf alumna: Olivia Pennybaker and her team of ladies. We use all female coaches in order to create a unique, safe, and comfortable learning environment for our female participants. Studies have shown that when girls are in a “girl friendly” environment, they experience higher levels of participation, are more comfortable learning and developing skills, have heightened confidence in their ability for self-expression and communication, and are more likely to engage in group activities. It is a friendly and exciting way to learn the game with people just like them!
Since it's inception in 2018, this program has grown each year servicing over 300 young ladies in the area in that time. Classes in this program operate on Thursday evenings in the Spring, Summer, and Fall at Shawnee Golf Course as well as on Wednesday evenings in the Summer at Bobby Nichols Golf Course. Continuing the growth under Coach Olivia's leadership, the Golf FORE Girls Program became a LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Site in 2021.
Girls Golf sites provide young females with quality golf instruction led by LPGA and PGA teaching professionals or certified coaches from First Tee. Not only are they experts in taking girls from beginner to advanced golfers, but they also specialize in creating experiences that show girls just how much fun golf really is! Through this partnership, our Golf FORE Girls Program is able to utilize the Girls Golf resources to give the classes a better quality experience. We were also able to begin our Women in Golf Day event with help from Girls Golf and can expand on "girl-centered" outreach events. Girls in any First Tee - Louisville Session can sign up to become a Girls Golf member! Register to be a LPGA*USGA Girls Golf member HERE!
Girls Golf members learn more than just the game of golf. We help empower them with confidence and teach them valuable life skills. From Leadership skills to inspiring healthy living, we use the Five E's of Girls Golf to Empower, Enrich, Engage, Exercise, and Energize girls through the game of golf.
If you haven't already registered for LPGA Girls Golf as a member of First Tee - Louisville you can do so here! Each person registered gets an LPGA Girls Golf 'Swag Bag' along with first notification of any events our Golf FORE Girls Program is conducting!
Registration for any of our programming class sessions including any Golf FORE Girls classes can be done so here!
Golf FORE Girls Class:
This is a class designed for any and all girls from ages 6-18. It follows our First Tee Life Skills Curriculum but is taught by all female coaches with ONLY girls in the class! WE have classes for 6-9 year olds, 10-13 year olds, and 14+ year olds.
EmpowHER Class:
This is a class designed for intermediate or advanced level female golfers ages 10 and up who are interested in pursuing high school or even college golf! This class is tailored specifically to help teenage girls gain confidence in their abilities to perform to their best effort in golf! Through help from LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, young ladies enrolled in this will learn skills from swing mechanics, course management, and how to find their voice! This all-girl environment can foster their love of the game in a comfortable, safe, and supportive environment! Sign-up through our regular registration portal or click here!
Women in Golf Day
presented by Addie and Baylor Kirchgessner Foundation
A fun and free event a part of our Golf FORE Girls Program partnered with LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, young ladies can come out to play games, win prizes, and meet inspiring women in the world of golf! This event is free at Shawnee Golf Course. In 2021 it took place on Sunday June 13th and featured Kim Shafer, PGA, Betty Kregor, Sally Morgan, PGA, Kaitlyn Hayes, and Heidi Steinert. Each woman brings unique views, experiences, and perspectives on the game of golf and the industry of it. In 2022 we doubled our youth participants as well as added even more games, prizes, and food! We had Jamie Taylor, LPGA, Lindsay Gahm, Erin Horn, PGA, and Lisa Edgmon, PGA join as as guest speakers! In 2023 our guest speakers were Tiana Jones, PGA, LPGA, Adrienne Farrow, Erin Rowland, and Erika Dixon!
2024 details: Sunday, July 7 at Shawnee Golf Course from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
*Registration coming soon*
For more information contact our Program Coordinator and Girls Golf Site Director Olivia Pennybaker at [email protected] !
Spring Session classes –
(run roughly from end of March to May)
Golf FORE Girls Wednesday evenings at Bobby Nichols Golf Course
Golf FORE Girls Thursday evenings at Shawnee Golf Course
Girls ages 6-9 classes: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Girls ages 10-13 and 14+ classes: 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM
Summer Session classes –
(run roughly from June to August)
EmpowHER Monday evenings at Shawnee Golf Course
Girls ages 10+ class: 5:15 PM – 6:45 PM
Golf FORE Girls Thursday evenings at Shawnee Golf Course
Girls ages 6-9 class: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Girls ages 10-13 and 14+ class: 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM
Practice With Me! – Coach Olivia Friday mornings
Practice time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Fall Session classes –
(run roughly from end of August to October)
EmpowHER Monday evenings at Shawnee Golf Course
Girls ages 10+ class: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Golf FORE Girls Thursday evenings at Shawnee Golf Course
Girls ages 6-9 class: 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Girls ages 10-13 and 14+ class: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Registration for classes is done through our registration portal here!
Events:
A Golf Galaxy Experience – March 10, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Golf Galaxy Louisville
The kickoff event for our 2024 Girls Golf season! Anyone is welcome to stop by for some fun, games, and to meet the coaches!
United States Women’s Open Viewing Party – June 2, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Shawnee Golf Course clubhouse upstairs community room
Girls can come hang out and watch the US Women’s Open. We will also have food, games, and activities for everyone!
Women in Golf Day – July 7, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Shawnee Golf Course range
A day for girls to come out and meet women who work in the golf industry! There will be games, snacks, and a Q&A panel with the women followed by dinner!
Solheim Cup Viewing Party – September 15, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Shawnee Golf Course clubhouse upstairs community room
Girls can come hang out and watch the Solheim Cup. We will also have food, games, and activities for everyone!
Bring a Friend and Dress-Up Day! – October 12, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM, Shawnee Golf Course range
This is a day where girls can bring a friend and take part in a golf clinic while wearing their best costumes! There will be different stations with a variety of activities led by our First Tee coaches!
Registration for Girls Golf events can be done by signing up for our Girls Golf site and registering on the app once you are a girls golf member or done by emailing Coach Olivia at [email protected] !