Lesley Copeman is South Africa’s top woman golf coach and one of the co-founders of the Women’s World Cup (WWC) of Golf, which takes place at Sun City from January 19-23.
In November 2001, this champion golfer became the first woman to be appointed Head Golf Professional to Parkview Golf Club.
Shortly afterwards, Lesley and her business partner, Tania Fourie, opened the first women-owned pro shop in the country, at Parkview Golf Course in Johannesburg.
The duo has subsequently launched the Champagne Golf Clinics, the Girls Golf Program and the cherry on the top, the Women’s World Cup of Golf.
In 2006, Lesley was appointed as Golf Director at Parkview Golf Club, passing on the reigns of Head Professional to her assistant, Letitia Moses-Roestoff and her husband, Ashley.
Lesley’s immense contribution to the development of golf among women has seen her win numerous top awards.
In 2005, Lesley was joint winner, with Tania, of the South African Woman of the Year Award in the sports category.
Lesley has just been re-appointed President of the WPGA – a position she has held previously.
A hard worker with very little regard for public recognition, she is a proud South African, who inspires us with her talent, strength, and passion.
Introducing January’s Woman of the Month, one of golf’s hardest workers, Lesley Copeman.
SA hosts the 3rd Women’s World Cup of Golf this month, you must be thrilled at the amazing success story it is?
This event has grown from strength to strength far exceeding any expectations I may have had prior to launching it. We increased the crowds, the television exposure and the hits on our website from 2005 to 2006 and expect this trend to continue as the brand establishes itself
What prompted you and Tania Fourie to launch a Women’s World Cup of Golf?
We had been running the local WPGA tour for three years and needed to create an event that would bring the best golfers in the world to South Africa. There was a gap in the international market for a World Cup and we took it.
What’s been the worldwide response to the showpiece event?
The golfing world has embraced the event with 63 countries taking the television feed this year. The strongest interest has been from the East viz. Japan and Korea who are the emerging force in women’s golf. We also have a very strong base in Sweden, the UK and the USA.
What does your role as Operations Director of the WWC entail?
All the dirty jobs! How many toilets…etc. No seriously, I oversee a very competent staging company, an event company; instruct our legal firm and our auditing firm to ensure the smooth running of the event.
I also liaise with the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour on matters pertaining to the setting up of the event.
What are your other current projects?
I still do some coaching and I am writing another golf instruction book. We have ongoing Champagne Golf clinics, the Ladies African Tour – which is exciting as we aim to grow golf in Africa, the Acer Girls Golf Program and of course for my sins I have now taken over the reigns of the WPGA.
How are the Champagne Golf Clinics catching on?
The game is growing so much amongst corporate women that these are very popular. We have a number of corporate clients that have seen the value of these clinics both as a networking opportunity and a team building exercise for their staff and clients.
All our World Cup sponsors also participate in these clinics through the year – so the golf professionals that work for us are kept rather busy.
Tell us more about the Girls Golf Program?
This was started in our quest to grow golf amongst young girls from a PDI background. We initiated a program from Parkview Golf Club from the daughters and nieces of caddies.
We started with 100 girls from Soweto and have identified 25 with talent. We have now also expanded this program to Cape Town and started a new Joburg program for girls from Alexandria.
Four of the girls from the squad have become members of Parkview and all of the squad have golf handicaps. We hope that some of these girls will graduate from our program and move on to the Sally Little Golf Academy.
Why is golf becoming so popular among women?
I don’t know why it has taken off. It may have something to do with the emergence of women in the boardrooms – over 90% of CEO’s in the Fortune 500 are golfers (admittedly most of them are men).
Golf is truly a family sport – what other spot can a mother play with her 10 year old daughter and still play her own game?
What do you think about the state of women’s golf in SA?
We just won the World Amateur Team Championships didn’t we? The great thing about that is all three of those girls are under 21.
One of the team -Stacy Bregman has already turned professional and has qualified to play on the Ladies European Tour. Lee-Ann Pace also received her full LET tour card and a provisional LPGA tour card, and Morgana Robbertse has a provisional LET card.
This is the first time in years that we have had more than one player representing us on international circuits.
Sponsorship for female events is still way behind our male counterparts, but we do find more support from the corporates for our projects these days and as a result of this we have grown our professional events from four to nine in 2007.
The number of registered female golfers at golf clubs has grown by 43% since 2000. So with all of the above I would say women’s golf is on the rise.
What have you enjoyed most about your career so far?
I have been incredibly blessed to have met so many wonderful people, seen so many wonderful places and really had such fun doing it all.
I love every minute of what I do – sometimes it is quite stressed, but one can see the fruits of your labour and it is so wonderful to see it all coming together.
What was it like being appointed the first women Head Golf Professional to Parkview Golf club in November 2001?
That seems like such a long time ago. It was difficult at first trying to break in to a very male dominated mind set, but the majority of the members at Parkview Golf Club were so supportive of me and my team. They have become genuine friends and I really love the club – it has a wonderful spirit about it.
I have now moved on to become the Golf Director and Letitia Moses who was my assistant has now become the Head Professional – this makes her the first black woman ever to have been appointed in that position.
I found that I did not have enough time with all my other commitments to hold down the hours required for a retail store and so the Committee of Parkview suggested the position of Golf Director whereby I oversee the pro shop and the Golf Manager.
Tell us about your other most significant achievements.
I have just qualified with the PGA of South Africa (the men’s association) as I felt it was important to have a standard qualification.
I was awarded Regional Businesswoman of the year in 2004 for the start up category.
What inspires you?
People inspire me. I love meeting new people and building relationships. I am never surprised by the diversity in people and how wonderful most people are. I love creating opportunities for people and changing peoples perceptions.
I have always believed that women can do most things that men can do and that one should afford them the opportunities to grow.
Golf has provided me with the vehicle to make a difference to a number of women – whether it be my golf pupils, my fellow professionals or my business associates.
How do you balance your career with your role as a woman in SA?
I am afraid not very well. I am guilty of being a bit of a workaholic. I have tried this year though to try to establish a balance.
My mom – who was my best friend and who lived with me – died earlier this year and it made me realize just how short life is and how you should cherish every moment.
So I am trying to focus more on the people close to me and to spend quality time with them, with my animals and to enjoy the simple things in life.
What is your favourite spectator sport?
I would have to say women’s golf, but I am also a great fan of cricket and rugby. I also love watching swimming and athletics – hell I am just a sports lover!
Who is your favourite sports star?
Annika Sorenstam – her work ethic is amazing
Who is your favourite female sports star?
I also admire girls like Martina Navratilova and Natalie du Toit who have proved that if you really want something no disabilities or prejudices can prevent you from succeeding.
With such a busy schedule, what role does fitness play in your life?
I have a gym contract!!! My New Year’s resolution most years is to go to gym three times a week – but alas that doesn’t often happen.
What is your biggest joy in life?
Music, food, my pets and the people I love.
gsport strives to celebrate femininity. How would you define femininity?
Mmmm…. That is one of those things that is hard to describe. It comes from within – I love being a woman and that goes beyond buying the right clothes, make-up and perfumes.
I think the most important feminine quality is empathy – that is something that most women have as a natural instinct. Perhaps that comes from our maternal instincts to protect and nurture people.
What’s the most amazing thing about being a woman?
You can almost always get some gallant gentleman to change your flat tyre 🙂
I just love being a woman, and the challenges and rewards that are offered to one.
What’s the best career advice you’ve been given?
Be true to yourself
Your advice for women who want to take up golf?
Make that call immediately!!! Take a few lessons from a WPGA or PGA professional and you will be on your way.
Who are your role models?
My parents. They instilled all the values that I have.
In the corporate world I think self-made people like Oprah, Richard Branson and Sol Kerzner are amazing.
And I would love to be able to sing like Barbra Streisand – sigh!!!
How do you relax?
By listening to music, reading and watching DVD’s
What is it about being a South African that you love the most?
There is not another country in the world that has the same spirit as the people of South Africa. This is the most beautiful country with the most stunning citizens.
I have traveled extensively and, believe me, there is NO PLACE like home.
Go to our December Woman of the Month – Lebo Mashile
Go to our January Style Star- Simphiwe Dana
Go to our January gSTAR – Ashleigh Simon
Go to our January Woman in Media – Lebo Motsoeli
Go to the gsport Newsroom
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