Gals group gets into swing of networking

Under an unobstructed sun, on a putting green at The Groves Golf and Country Club, Laura Sanderson showed Mary Ann Whallen the proper way to wield a putter.

"This is the hot dog and this is the bun," said Sanderson, as she grasped the club with both thumbs extended down the shaft.

Whallen, who works for Affordable Home Inspection of Land O' Lakes, watched, then attempted to do as instructed.

She was one of nearly 20 businesswomen who attended the first meeting of the Gals Golfing & Networking Group, which aims to teach women to golf while offering networking opportunities. Sanderson, a self-described retiree from Corporate America, is an assistant golf pro at The Groves.

A few of the women who met Monday for the first time had previous golfing experience, but several, such as Whallen, did not.

"There are too many things to remember," Whallen said, as she eased the putter back then swung it forward.

"Ha!" she said a moment later. "Made one!"

The attendees included a certified public accountant, an insurance agent, a registered nurse, a representative with the American Cancer Society, the co-owner of a home inspections business, the co-owner of a plumbing company, a chiropractor, a Realtor, a tax accountant and representatives from SunTrust bank.

The golf-networking group was started by Christine Cooper of Cooper Financial Services in Land O' Lakes; Cooper is also known as "The Queen of Networking."

"I'm in a business where it's about 75 percent men, and they (used to) make fun of me" on the golf course, Cooper said. "I wound up being a good golfer, but, at first, they didn't want to play with me."

To many in the business world, golfing and networking seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly. While it is specifically for women, the Gals Golfing & Networking Group isn't the only golf and networking club in Pasco County.

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, for example, sponsors Networking on the Nines, in which chamber members are encouraged to invite clients or co-workers for nine holes at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club. The chamber's next event there is scheduled Oct. 19.

Cooper said she thought her group would be a unique way to help women learn useful skills on the course while also spreading word about their businesses.

"We want to go out and be able to get someone's full attention for 90 or 120 minutes, or be able to support our favorite charity," Cooper said.

The idea seemed to be popular among the women who participated in the first meeting.

On the putting green, Sanderson kept the instructions simple: "Keep the ball between your feet."

She also emphasized the nuances of the game's etiquette.

"You don't want to bang your club (on the green) or drag your feet," she said. "Once you start putting, you'll see how important it is to keep the green smooth. Never step in anyone's line of putting."

Marlene Ballester, who runs 24/7 Plumbing in Land O' Lakes with husband Mike, said golf course etiquette could be applied to the business world, as well.

"Etiquette is really the most important thing," she said. "For business deals, that's how you gain trust."

Ballester said her goal is "just to be able to get around the golf course."

"I was talking to Christine and Laura and they said it would be a great way to network," she said. "It'll be great to be able to get out there for fundraisers and stuff like that."

Lisa Stoessel, a representative with the American Cancer Society in Land O' Lakes, said she often played golf with her dad about 20 years ago.

On the driving range, she seemed to have found her stroke.

"You get to meet other women and it's an opportunity to get the word out (about the American Cancer Society) and how we can help people," Stoessel said. "This is the first time I've had official instruction. We'll see how it goes."

For information about the new networking group, call (813) 996-6100.