Tapping into the town’s relaxed vibe has made golf more appealing for women at Yamba Golf & Country Club.
Yamba is not known for its formality. The seaside retreat 180 kilometres south of the Queensland border in northern New South Wales trades on chill vibes and a detachment from the chaos of modern society. ‘Less stress’ could well be the Yamba mantra, yet the local golf club still found itself fighting off misconceptions that the traditions of the sport were instituted to keep the less familiar at bay.
How times have changed.
Under the leadership of head PGA professional Jamie Corkill, Yamba Golf & Country Club has gone to great lengths to not simply break down barriers to entry, but roll out the welcome mat to beginners of any age.
The pathway established for women with an inkling to give golf a go has been particularly successful. Starting with the cleverly marketed ‘G & Tee’ introductory program, women are invited to participate in a relaxed golf session with Corkill followed by a hand-crafted cocktail courtesy of Yamba Distilling Co.
It’s the starting point that sets the tone that golf is not necessarily what they may have thought it had to be.
“If you’re having fun, you’re comfortable anywhere,” says Corkill, who was named the 2025 PGA National Club Professional of the Year.
“If we can get them there – break down the barriers of golf and the traditions and whatnot – our first goal is to make sure they understand that we want them there and that the members want them there. It’s a place for everyone. Making it fun, making it inclusive. That’s the key.”
Active engagement with existing women within the club is crucial in converting curiosity into consistency. Corkill is adamant that incorporating existing members into the beginner pathway is key to growing the core group of women playing regularly at Yamba.
“We have a sensational bunch of women at the club who recognise that their new members come from me getting them started through clinics,” Corkill adds. “We’ve run a few very cool ‘G & Tee’ programs that get them hooked. They then move into a clinic and the ladies we have at the club will then take them out to play three, six or nine holes.
“We know the ratio of men to women is biased towards men, so this is a great way to help them feel comfortable in a space which traditionally hasn’t been very comfortable for them.”
The focus on inclusion extends to the future members of Yamba Golf & Country Club, with Corkill and his staff of PGA professionals making the club’s three indoor simulators available for school holiday activities in addition to coaching and club-fitting.
Whether you are looking for a beginner clinic or a way to get your handicap down to single figures, the Pro Will Know. To find the PGA professional closest to you, visit golf.com.au/find-a-pga-pro
