How we got on the green

Four friends with basic exposure to the sport and curiosity about the hype decided one summer day to give the golf thing a whirl. To us, the sport had always seemed slow, uptight, and, not to mention, male-dominated. Shortly after the first hole, however, we quickly realized that we had been mistaken: although certainly frustrating, with the right attitude, golf could also be very fun. Five hours and twelve holes later, we had discovered a new passion for the game. 

As the four of us started golfing more, we realized golf wasn't boring nor uptight, so long as you had the right foursome. We invited our friends, and they invited their friends, and soon we created a relaxed, approachable environment that is far from the confines of the traditional golf club.

We also realized, however, that one of our initial assumptions still held true: the sport is overwhelmingly male. Recognizing the lack of female golfers, and hearing the familiar stories of our girlfriends' experiences golfing with dads and boyfriends, we decided we wanted to help change the narrative around females entering the world of golf. 

Today, our mission is to get more girls golfing. Whether that means introducing girls to the game who have never picked up a club, or giving seasoned golfers an outlet to play and learn with fellow female golfers, we aim to provide a safe, supportive, and laid back environment to everyone looking to get on the green.

 

THE FOUNDING FOURSOME

 

Jen Corcoran

Jen spent many summers as a well-loved (?) cart girl, cruising the cart paths of a scenic Cape Cod golf club and slinging beers and Gatorades with a smile. Despite constant exposure to the game throughout her youth, she was never inspired to swing a club herself. That is, until Grueter Golf was born.

Jen, a Boston-area native, is a real estate developer currently residing in Dorchester. She can be found on Cape Cod most weekends during the golf season. Notably, she is the 2018 champion of the Glenburnie Labor Day Putting Competition.

 

Kirsten Grueter

Having grown up spending summers on Lake George, NY in the Adirondacks, Kiki's introduction to golf was once a summer with her family on a five-hole very casual course. It was a quick turnaround from her first full round of golf with her best girlfriends in 2016 to 27 full rounds of golf with anyone who would play with her in 2017. 

Kiki lives in Manhattan and works as a Nurse Practitioner at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Erin Donnelly

Erin grew up playing golf with her siblings once a year, when they'd take their father, an avid golfer, to play on Father's Day on various courses on Long Island.  Although her home course is now the Garden City Country Club, Erin loves exploring new courses without the confines of the club with fellow Grueter Golf Girls.

Erin lives in Manhattan and is a lawyer at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, where she also is breaking down barriers as the only female on the firm's softball team.

 

Haley hillesland

Haley's first introduction to golf was at the age of 9 during a summer golf camp where legend has it she took home the trophy for her age group. She feigned interest in the sport for years, but mostly felt discouraged about meeting strict outfit requirements and obeying rigid course rules. It wasn't until a visit to T.J.Maxx and a laid back round with the girls that she officially caught the golf fever.

Haley lives in Manhattan and works in advertising.