Ellie Potts - Out and Proud PGA Professional - in her own words ....

ELLIE POTTS - OUT, PROUD & NEWLY QUALIFIED PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL

in her own words

“no no, you’ll find a golf husband dear”

— Said a female member at my club

VISIBILITY MATTERS

“ As a young person I want to use my influence and power to show that I’m coming to make real changes and set a legacy for other young LGBT+ Professionals out there ”

- ELLIE POTTS - GIGS Brand Ambassador & GIGS Northern Hub co-ordinator

Hi my name is Ellie Potts, PGA Professional at Sandwell Park Golf Club, nr Birmingham and a recent Graduate in Applied Golf Management Studies at the University of Birmingham.

I’m a Level 2 PGA Coach which I obtained alongside my studies. I’ve been able to progress my golf further by playing in WPGA and PGA competitions as a Trainee.  It was an amazing three years at Birmingham Uni, however the course is lacking females as there were only 4 on our course and 20 males.  But my course mates were really good at supporting each other and we had a lot of fun playing competitive golf against each other.

I started playing golf when I was around 10 years old.   I used to caddy for my Dad and then slowly started trying out clubs of my own. I started playing for my County (Shropshire) at Junior level and eventually became the County Captain in 2020.

I’m a lesbian and I came out in 2015 and my parents are very loving and accepting, along with all my friends who are very happy for me. 

In terms of golf I didn’t really have anybody as a role model in the golf industry so now I want my legacy to be influencing and acting as that role model to others so that I could inspire and make changes in the golfing industry as a member of the LGBT+ community.

Golf clubs can be very strange places at times

Golf clubs can be very strange places at times and an uncomfortable place too. I had an experience myself just before starting my University degree. I was speaking to one of the female members at my club and one of them told me “oh you’ll find a nice golf husband on your course” and I said “wait no, I’m a lesbian, I’m into women" and they just sort of laughed it off and continued with “no, no, you’ll find a golf husband.”

Looking back on this sort of ignorance kind of makes me laugh, but on the other hand, it needs to change, because everybody has members at their Golf Club that may no agree with the community or don’t understand the community. I feel it’s important to call them out on it and potentially educate them and say. look we’re in 2024, we’re making changes. You can either accept that or you’re going to be left behind.

I do believe we are on the precipice of a big change in the golf industry. I feel that more women are speaking up to their Golf Club Committees and we are banging on the door for change whether this be gender neutral tees or being able to play in the men’s competitions on a Saturday or even just feeling like we can feel safe as LGBT+ golfers at our respected clubs. As a young person I want to use my influence and power to show that I’m coming to make real changes and set a legacy for other young LGBT+ PGA professionals out there.

It’s nice to see other golfers like me out and proud!

I joined GIGS after a friend of mine referred me to the Instagram page. It was so nice to see other golfers like myself out and proud! I’m keen to get involved and hopefully get to meet many of the GIGSTERs soon.

Future plans: I’ve recently started my first coaching position at Sandwell Park Golf Club in the West Midlands, as a full time Teaching Professional. If you’re in the area - contact me - and let’s get you started.

You can follow my journey on Instagram @elliepotts_golf

Abbey Hill Golf Centre flies the Rainbow Flag to Welcome GIGS

ABBEY HILL GC flies the Rainbow Flag to Welcome the Girls in Golf Society

A fun day was had by all at Abbey Hill Golf Centre, Milton Keynes. Abbey Hill was buzzing with lots of people enjoying the Driving Range, Adventure Golf, Foot Golf and the main 18 which we played. Everyone we encountered were friendly, welcoming, polite and seemed to be enjoying themselves. The General Manager, Russell Heady came and introduced himself to our group and informed us that the ENGLAND GOLF RAINBOW FLAGs had been put out on both the 10th and 18th Greens to welcome GIGS. It was a fantastic gesture by a progressive and welcoming club and The GIGSTERS really appreciated it. The food was very tasty and the clubhouse was vibrant. The course was a good track, with a nice mixture of challenging holes with some fab views. The GM said he would put the Rainbow Flags out every 3-4 weeks to demonstrate that the club is a welcoming space for all. THAT’S PROGRESS !!

“We will continue to fly the Rainbow Flag every 3 or 4 weeks, to demonstrate that Abbey Hill Golf Centre is a welcoming space for all”

— Russell Heady - General Manager

VISIBILITY MATTERS

“ You just don't know who sees it (the flag) living in the area and takes heart and might be encouraged to choose golf as a sport to take up”

- GIGS Member Anna

Visibility in golf really does matter to our community, so well done to England Golf for the initiative and to the clubs who participated last year. Hopefully the 2022 campaign will enjoy continued support and growth.

GIGS has actively been contacting many of the clubs who participated in the England Golf / Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign at the end of last year and will try to support as many of those clubs as possible by booking our monthly meet-ups at these progressive and inclusive golf facilities. It is important to acknowledge their efforts and demonstrate our appreciation by hosting our golf events with them over the coming months. GIGS will also encourage other clubs to participate in the initiative and some have already said they too would love to fly the flag and are keen to get involved and be more visibly inclusive.

NOTE TO GIGS MEMBERS - LOG IN TO READ RESULTS & SEE MORE PICS !!

If you are a Club, or Member of a Club who would like to add a Rainbow Flag to their course - you can read more below and get in touch with Jamie Blair at England Golf.

#WhyIGolf - Women and Girls in Golf Week - featuring GIGS Members

Today is the launch of the England Golf Women & Girls Golf Week 2021. We are pleased to be working alongside England Golf with this campaign, highlighting our fantastic members and why they love golf.

Check out our first video featuring GIGS member Cheryl #EnglandGolf #WhyIGolf
Check our social media to see more of our members during the week.

GIGS featured by Women and Golf

Let’s make golf more inclusive!

Big thank you to Emma from WOMEN & GOLF for featuring GIGS and helping to spread the word.

We’re on a mission to make golf a much more inclusive and accessible sport for all and particularly to LGBT+ Women who play or would like to give golf a try.

- have a read, then better still, JOIN US.

Sarah Stirk - Sky Sports Golf - “I want to have a voice in our Community.” via Attitude Magazine

Pride Month, The R&A and Sarah Stirk

June, the month of Pride celebrations and where many businnesses and corporations support and encourage LGBT+ Inclusion & Diversity and fly the rainbow flag. From many it feels genuine support, but from others, it so often feels like an opportunity to just pay lip service to appease our community - Rainbow-Washing as it’s called. The jury is still out on that one.

Earlier in the year, as part of GIGS mission to encourage golf to become a more inclusive & diverse sport, we approached the R&A (The Royal and Ancient) with the suggestion to have an Official LGBT+ Meet Up Point at the forthcoming AIG Women’s Open Championship at Carnoustie this year. They welcomed the suggestion and said they wish to continue the dialogue with us, although unlikely that anything would happen anytime soon! At the very least, we hope that they will fly the Rainbow Flag to encourage & welcome our community who attend the Tournament. We live in hope.

- Watch this space !! -

TV Presenter for Sky Sports Golf, Sarah Stirk, has given an interview (link below) for Attitude Magazine’s Pride issue commenting ‘I’m proud of who I am’ and says ‘I want to have a voice in our community’ and our favourite ‘I don’t give a sh*t anymore’. Her decision to share could not have been an easy one, but we’re delighted she has chosen to do so and it will be wonderful to have such a huge voice in golf as part of our community.

Well done Sarah and Welcome

A GIGS Beanie finds its way to all sorts of good people - pictured with Presenter Sarah Stirk - we know she will wear it with Pride.

Rookie Win's the 1st Major of the Year

The ANA Inspiration never disappoints and this year was no exception. LPGA Rookie, PATTY TAVATANAKIT became the 1st Major Champion of 2021 which gave her the honour, at this iconic tournament, of making the famous leap into Poppies Pond. But the glory was not all hers, as history unfolded before our very eyes. Former World No 1 and 2016 ANA Champion Lydia Ko, leapt up the leaderboard as she took just 29 strokes to complete the front 9. Her score is the lowest recorded 9 holes in ANA history. It was a joy to watch and Lydia went on to shoot 62, the lowest final round in LPGA Major history. Extraordinary golf, from an extraordinary golfer. LPGA 2021 is going to be a ride!

If you missed the ANA, you can catch up via the Sky Sports Golf YouTube Channel - it’s well worth your time.

Read more about the tournament below via Emma Ballard, new Editor of the Women and Golf Magazine. Congratulations Patty, Lydia & Emma!

Annika Sorenstam elected new president of the International Golf Federation

Arguably the greatest female golfer of them all, Annika Sorenstam will commence the next phase of her outstanding golfing career as the president of the International Golf Federation. Read all about her appointment below via Women & Golf Magazine.

Annika Sorenstam

Mel Reid - Wins the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Ellesse style

So pleased for Mel Reid - here’s a recent fab Q & A she did with Harriet Shephard for Women & Golf Mag.

Mel Reid wins the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Ellesse style