IAGA Insider Digest Series
Breaking Barriers: How British Columbia Golf and WA Golf Are Revolutionizing Women’s Golf
Women’s golf has seen an exciting transformation in recent years, with new initiatives redefining accessibility and engagement. Two standout programs leading this shift are British Columbia Golf’s Cloud Series and WA Golf’s Ladies Link League. Designed to foster participation, these innovative formats offer a fresh take on competitive and social golf, making the game more inclusive for women of all skill levels.
The Cloud Series emerged in 2020 when British Columbia Golf sought a way to participate in Women’s Golf Day despite COVID-19 restrictions. With in-person events off the table, they developed a virtual scramble where women could play at their home courses, submit their scores, and compete remotely. What started as a one-time event quickly gained traction. “We had nearly 300 women participate in our first year, and it just kept growing,” shared Tyler McKay, Manager of Competitions & Member Events at British Columbia Golf. By 2024, the series had expanded to six monthly tournaments with an average of 604 golfers per event.
Meanwhile, WA Golf was facing a different challenge. Their existing four-ball match play event for women was seeing dwindling participation, with fewer than half the expected players signing up in 2023. After learning about the Cloud Series, they decided to reimagine their own offering. “We wanted to create something that was more inclusive, something that could bring in new golfers while still appealing to competitive players,” explained Audrey Orem, WA Golf’s Manager of Membership & Handicapping. The result was the Ladies Link League, a six-month-long event featuring different formats each month, a low entry fee, and a strong emphasis on community-building. The changes worked—participation surged to an average of 197 players per month in its first year.
One of the key elements that make these programs so successful is their format variety. The Cloud Series cycles through different team-based formats to keep the experience fresh, incorporating styles like shamble, best ball, and modified scramble. WA Golf’s Ladies Link League adopted a similar approach, alternating scramble formats to cater to different skill levels. “The scrambles have been fantastic for beginners,” noted Sam Crader, WA Golf’s Manager of Golf Operations. “They make the game feel more approachable and fun, which is exactly what we wanted.”
Beyond participation numbers, these programs are driving real change within the golf community. Clubs across British Columbia and Washington have started adopting the formats for their own women’s leagues, further extending the reach of these initiatives. Both organizations credit player feedback as a crucial component of their growth. “Listening to our players has been the key,” McKay emphasized. “We constantly refine the event based on what they tell us, which has helped us create an experience they truly enjoy.”
Technology has also played a vital role in their success. Both programs utilize Golf Genius for scoring, leaderboards, and event management, making remote play possible. Social media and digital surveys help drive engagement, while instructional guides ensure that players, regardless of tech-savviness, can easily participate. Looking ahead, both organizations have ambitious plans. British Columbia Golf is launching a Men’s Cloud Series and exploring a cloud-based simulator competition for the off-season. WA Golf is expanding its social engagement efforts, introducing chat forums and hosting official meetup days for participants to connect in person.
With the success of these programs, British Columbia Golf and WA Golf are setting a new standard for accessibility in the sport. By embracing innovation and prioritizing community, they are not just increasing participation—they are reshaping the way women experience golf. Their willingness to share insights and help other organizations adopt similar models speaks to the broader movement of growing the game in a meaningful, lasting way. As these initiatives continue to evolve, they serve as an inspiring blueprint for the future of women’s golf.
Tyler McKay, Manager of Competitions & Member Events at British Columbia Golf, can be reached via email at tyler@britishcolumbiagolf.org.
Audrey Orem, Manager of Membership & Handicapping at WA Golf, is available at aorem@wagolf.org.
Sam Crader, Manager of Golf Operations at WA Golf, can be contacted at scrader@wagolf.org.
By: Santana Shipley