Megan Simmons – WGM
Name: Megan Simmons
Title: PGA Teaching Professional
Facility and location: The Track, Meydan Golf, Dubai
Q: When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up and please explain if there was a story around that.
A: When I was younger, I actually wanted to be a Pilot because I wanted to travel and see the world. I was very fortunate that I travelled a lot competing in different golf events worldwide, so I was doing something I enjoyed while traveling to different countries. So my dream soon changed… and now I teach pilots how to golf!
Q: Who got you into the business of golf and what was your first experience at a golf course/range?
A: My first experience was at a pay and play golf course in Kent, England when I was seven years old. I remember seeing everyone swinging and holding their finishing position with their back foot up, so I copied them, and that was it. I had the golf bug. That year I remember it snowed and we were off school, and I begged my mum to take me to the driving range, and I was the only one there seeing the balls just trickle into the snow.
Q: Was there a female mentor that helped guide you along your current path and was there a piece of advice that helped you along your way?
A: My female mentor was my mum; she wasn’t a golfer and in-fact, she knew nothing about golf, but made sure that she did everything she could to show me the world of golf. Growing up there wasn’t as many girls / ladies playing golf like there is now, so I use to play against the boys. I used to hear comments like girls can’t hit it as far as boys; this comment made me want to hit it further than them and I did. This helped me on my way as I knew that I wanted to inspire more girls to play golf, to prove the boys wrong.
Q: How long have you worked for Troon and what has been your career progression; what do you love most about your job?
A: I have worked for Troon for six months; I started as a seasonal golf professional and I am now here at The Track Meydan Golf full time. I created a Par 3 event with over 50 ladies joining in the first two months, two ladies group classes and now the juniors’ class. What I love most is when I am teaching someone for their first ever golf lesson – when the player has never hit a golf ball before and at the end of their session, they have a full golf swing. To see how happy they are to be able to hit the golf ball and wanting to learn more is the best feeling ever.
Q: What do you do in your daily job or life to inspire other women or minorities to get them interested in the game of golf or into the golf business as a career?
A: When I first started at The Track, Meydan Golf I wanted to put together a Ladies Par 3 competition as I felt like I was teaching these ladies on the range, but they didn’t have the confidence to go onto the golf course. The idea of a Par 3 competition is that it introduces lots of ladies of the same ability so they can meet new ladies and create friends who have the same interest (golf). The event also teaches ladies the basic rules of golf so they don’t feel intimidated when they go to play on a full course. My Par 3 event now has over 50 ladies and every Monday morning. I like to make golf as fun and inviting as possible for ladies so in my group sessions I’m always inviting ladies to give them a go offering three ladies group sessions a week.
Q: What is your dream foursome for golf (you and three others)?
A: My dream foursome would be Paula Creamer as she was and still is my idol when I was growing up. Tiger Woods because he is just a legend and Rory Mcllroy as he is just an all-round nice guy and best golfer.
Q: What is one interesting fact not many people know about you (that you don’t mind sharing)?
A: An interesting fact is that none of my family have ever played golf and the reason I started was because I saw a tall blonde lady at a driving range in a film called High School Musical. I can remember telling my mum that I wanted to go there and be just like her in this pink golf outfit with a pink golf cart never did I think that I would be where I am now just because of watching that film.
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