Troon International’s Inspiring Female Associates

In celebration of Troon Women’s Golf Month we asked 11 women working in agronomy, golf operations, retail, membership and marketing, to share their stories with us. From Czech Republic to Malaysia, UAE to Australia, meet some of the fantastic female associates who are part of the teams at some of the best Troon International destinations around the world and learn how they got into golf.

Nicole Pendergast

Horticulturalist, Brookwater Golf & Country Club, Australia

Nature and animals have always been a passion of mine, and after working in administration for about 20 years, I decided a career change was in order. I studied horticulture and in 2017 a horticulturist position became available at Brookwater Golf and Country Club; I got the job! I was nervous as I’d never worked on a golf course and only ever played one game of golf in my life, but I stayed positive and I’ve never looked back. I was warmly welcomed on my first day on the job and every day since and I love walking in the door to an amazing team; we have a strong, crazy, happy work ethic that combined, produces outstanding attention to detail. Working with the agronomy team and Troon leaders, the course always looks magic, easily creating a sense of pride amongst this talented team. I’ve been lucky to gain an incredible amount of knowledge and I never thought I’d get such a kick out of straight lines on pristine lawns.

Being part of the Brookwater Golf & Country Club team/family for five years now has been a massive privilege; everyday warms my soul, to experience the awesome vibrant attitudes of determined golfers, the trees, plants, animals, coming home covered in sand, dirt, grass, challenging the daily weather extremes and feeling exhausted, yet still with the biggest content smile on my face…yes this is my happy place!

Rebecca Nnachor

Golf Reservation & Membership Coordinator, Al Hamra Golf Club, UAE

Migrating from Nigeria, I joined the team at Al Hamra Golf Club in 2019 as a waitress in the Bay Sports Bar. I knew very little about golf but overlooking hole 18, each time I served guests on the terrace, I was face to face with the golf course and this motivated me to broaden my horizon and expand my knowledge about golf. I pride myself on providing excellent service and members and guests shared positive feedback to club management and I was given the opportunity to cross train with the golf operations team as a golf desk attendant. I took up the opportunity without hesitations. This led to me also exploring the retail side of the golf club as a retail coordinator and working on the AGM Platinum Award, which we won in 2021 has been a highlight for me. I am now harnessing my current career as a Reservations and Membership Coordinator while honing my golfing skills. Reflecting on my experience so far, I am amazed at the opportunity, development and exposure I have had with Troon; learning about golf service standards, working with a team and leaders like Paul Booth that recognise your capabilities and assist with a positive push in the right direction is amazing. To work closely with the chief marshal, Attie Vyn Wyk at the two tour events we hosted this year was a fantastic hands on opportunity for me and experiences like these inspire me to keep exploring the industry within Troon in diverse countries.

Jana Kábrtová

Reception & Membership Assistant Manager, PGA National Czech Republic, Czech Republic

Born and raised in the Czech Republic, a small country in the middle of Europe with little golf culture at the time and a society envious of golfers, it was my father who took me to a driving range in my hometown and taught me how to hit my first and certainly not last golf shot. My lifelong passion for golf had started and 15 years later, I still have strong feelings about the game and how it shapes you. I play golf but I also work in golf; when I started working at the PGA National Czech Republic, surrounded by exceptional leaders, my perspective on the standards expected shifted dramatically. A whole new level of golf experiences have been unlocked in the Czech Republic, and it makes me extremely proud to be a part of that growth in the game in my home country. Working at a Troon Privé facility has taught me how to make everyone’s experience as memorable as possible. I’ve also been fortunate enough to learn at another great Troon facility, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club; having the opportunity to go on an assigment to the UAE was a terrific experience; to be immersed in the operations of another Troon club and learn about how Troon standards are implemented there has helped me grow professionally and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

Nurul Farahin Samsari

Marketing Executive, The Els Club Desaru Coast, Johor, Malaysia

I was born and raised in Puchong, Selangor and was completely new to the golf industry when I joined The Els Club Desaru Coast, where I recently completed my 6th year at the club. I still remember, back in 2012 when I was still studying at The Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, I expressed my interest to play golf to my favourite lecturer, however with no background in golf along with financial constraint, playing golf was just another dream.

So when I had the opportunity to join The Els Club Desaru Coast in 2016 it was a very exciting moment for me. Being with the experienced team here, together with continuous guidance from the General Manager, Harris Abdullah and the Director of Membership, PR & Communications, Loh Chyi Jen I have learnt a lot about the golf industry and enjoy marketing such a unique destination that we have here.

To accomplish this so far is unbelievable to me. I’m especially thankful for the bold and tireless leaders ahead of me who paved the way and lead by example; to be working at Malaysia’s Best Golf Course really is a dream come true to me.

Angelyn Otibar

Retail Supervisor, Royal Golf Club, Bahrain

Growing up, I learned the value of hard work and perseverance at a very young age. In order to fulfill my dream of a college degree, I started working right after high school at age 16 as a factory worker in a tech company and in a year’s time, I was promoted to line supervisor, the youngest in the company’s history.

I completed my college education with a BSBA, Major in Management and worked in Japan for 3 years. After fulfilling my contract, I then set my eyes on the Middle East and I started my golf journey with Royal Golf Club. I started as a server in the F&B department and when the opportunity presented itself, transferred to Golf Operations as a Retail Attendant; I am now Retail Supervisor of the Monty’s Golf shop and I am proud of the contributions and my achievements at Royal Golf Club over the 13 years. I love meeting and interacting with the members and guests from diverse and rich cultural backgrounds on a daily basis and I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with and learn from so many great associates here at Royal Golf Club.

If someone were to ask me what the road to success in life is, my answer would be that there is no roadmap. You forge your own path no matter the twist and turn or obstacles that gets in your way.

Amy Millward

Teaching Professional, CH3 Performance Golf Academy, The Els Club Dubai, UAE

My golfing journey started when I was around 6 years old and has continued to be a big part of my life throughout my teens and early adulthood. My career started at my local golf club Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club, and after a few cold British winters I took the leap to go on an Intern assignment at CH3 Performance Golf Academy at The Els Club Dubai; 2 years later I landed a full-time job there. I can definitely say I’m one of the lucky ones who turned their hobby into their career; each day there is a new challenge presented to me and a different swing to fix and it’s exciting to get to live out my passion.

Working at the CH3 Performance Golf Academy gives me the opportunity to interact with a diverse, knowledgeable group of people every day. Growing the women’s game has always been one of my main focuses and so by encouraging those that might not have tried golf before the opportunity to do so helps that ambition become a reality. My biggest piece of advice to all my students; keep the game simple, don’t let it be the sport that stresses you out, you played it for a reason to have fun and enjoy it.

Kasee Marxsen

Agronomist, Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club, Australia

I found my passion for turf agronomy while playing cricket as I wanted to know how the fields were maintained. From there, I started my apprenticeship and I have never looked back. I love trying to produce the best playing surfaces for our golfers and guests and with that, the challenges it brings each and every day. Working with such a supportive and knowledgeable team at Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club has been great for my learning and development as an agronomist.

Meg Nolan

Horticulturalist, Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club, Australia

Since a young age I have always been passionate about flora and fauna and it was a dream come true when a position came up as the horticulturist at Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club.  My main expertise is my knowledge of all the native species of plants that we have on the golf course and the clubhouse gardens. Keeping the many flora areas on the course looking their best is challenging but also very rewarding, it has been a great experience not only as the Horticulturist but also developing my skills as an Agronomist. I have been fortunate enough to work with a great team in such a beautiful environment.

Alice Kozlowski

Golf Sales Associate, The Grove, UK

I started playing golf when I was 11 years old and completely fell in love with the sport. I continued to play throughout my childhood and at university and knew that a career in the golf industry was the right path for me.

I began my journey at The Grove in 2020 and I have enjoyed two years working in various areas of the golf department. Starting out in the golf operations team I learnt the ins and outs of the guest journey, I then progressed to Golf Events Associate where I ran the corporate golf events. This has now culminated with me as a Golf Sales Associate in which I sell and plan the corporate golf days.  Having the opportunity to communicate with a wide array of guests is something I really enjoy about my job at The Grove and being surrounded by such a supportive team means I am able to develop my skills around my job.

My advice for any women looking to get into the golf industry is to not be intimidated by the fact that its male dominated, there are so many successful women who are paving the way – and I hope to follow in their footsteps!

Sara Summers

Marketing & Events Manager, Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club, Australia

My passion for marketing started when I was 15 years old, when I learnt how to code html. I loved the idea of being able to make something, and being able to customise my myspace page with music and colours was a highlight of my younger years. I have always enjoyed the creative side of marketing and love that the digital world is always changing. I enjoy learning, so it’s been a win-win career wise for me – keeping on top of algorithms and new platforms.

When the opportunity arose to join the team at Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club, I jumped at it. Having not come from a golfing background, I’ve learnt so much along the way and have tried to experience the game for myself by learning golf in my spare time. Given that events and marketing work so closely alongside one another, when the opportunity to take on some additional responsibilities came up, it made sense for me to progress professionally. It’s been fantastic to be involved in various projects and developments at the club like the Shanx Mini Golf which has been a three-year passion project, so it’s exciting to see it completed. No two days are ever the same for me here at the club, and I love that.

We have a great team here at Pacific Harbour, and I am proud to be part of the team.

Jo-Anne Atkin

Golf Operations Manager, Brookwater Golf & Country Club, Australia

I grew up living down the street from Pacific Golf Club in Mansfield, Brisbane but I didn’t get involved with the game until I was 12 years old. My family don’t play golf so I taught myself to play after reading the monthly editorial of Golf Digest Australia.  After completing high school, the golf course was my university.  I played and practiced hard and eventually got selected to play junior and senior golf for Queensland in 1992.  The 90’s was a great time for me; I reached a career-high of number 1 in Queensland and number 7 in Australia with my biggest achievement being winning the New Zealand Amateur Championship in 1994.  When my playing career ended I became Queensland and Australian team manager and I really enjoyed giving something back to the game that gave me so much enjoyment.

I have worked in golf operations for many years now, starting at Indooroopilly Golf Club in 1995. Since then I have worked as Golf Operations Manager at my home club of Pacific Golf Club; knowing everyone made my job easier, especially when it came to remembering people’s names!  I joined Brookwater Golf & Country Club in January 2022 and it’s been fantastic working alongside a great team at such a unique golf course; Greg Norman designed, and I heard our Chairman say recently that when Greg was designing Brookwater, he wanted an Australian style course – large gum trees, undulating fairways, bushland, kangaroo’s, koala’s, lizard’s, and of course snakes!  I’m proud to be working with Brookwater Golf & Country Club and Troon.

Learn more about Troon’s DEI Initiatives, Associates and Stories.