Danita Knox - EWGA Member Since 2012
My early introduction to golf was as a ride-along with my college roommate who had been a top amateur in Canada. I was a college rugby player, so had no interest in such a boring sport! She invited me to take a few swings now and then rather than just enjoying the fun of zooming around in a cart with beverage in hand. We even managed to take some swings on the football field at Death Valley in Clemson. We were student police assigned to make sure visiting teams didn’t steal our mascot, so we managed to squeeze some fun in.
When I graduated from college, I asked for golf clubs. I got the Lady Dunlop set that came in a very pink bag! After a few
trips to a driving range with my new bag, an old timer suggested that my goal should be to be remembered for my golf rather than my bag! I wasn’t getting any better, but ditched the pink for a black bag.
Over the next 10 years or so, I played sporadically in charity events and work outings. Eventually a women’s network at my company (GE) started an annual golf clinic/outing to help introduce women to golf so that they felt comfortable on the course and could join male peers for those “informal” meetings on the course. They held mini sessions of chipping, putting, and full swing at River Pines in Duluth followed by a 9-hole scramble. This is when it started to sink in that practicing and playing more were the only ways to improve. As I moved along in my career a few things happened. My rugby-playing days were coming to an end, my fitness level was coming down, and I was starting to understand the need to hold my own on the course with the guys. I’m an engineering manager who works with and manages an all male team.
Some of my best friends and ex-rugby players were transitioning to tennis and golf. I wasn’t seeing much of them anymore, and was more and more consumed with work. They kept suggesting I play in this group called EWGA. I kept saying that I didn’t have time.
About a year ago, I completed an Executive MBA. It too was all-consuming, but I learned that I could make time for something other than work. I decided that EWGA, playing golf, and getting out with new and old friends was going to be it. Sixteen years later, I asked for a set of golf clubs for graduation again. By now all of my friends had convinced me that new technology would help even my swing. I did some research, took some EWGA group lessons with Heidi Mitchell over at Stone Mountain, and bought some Callaways.
Now as an EWGA member, I’m happy with the clubs, the opportunity to re-connect with friends, and the ease of opting into pre-scheduled weekly and monthly events.