Leadership, on and off the course: Young Ambassadors at the first UK LPGA Academy
On 16th–17th June, four of the Young Ambassadors travelled to The Belfry to participate in the first LPGA Leadership Academy outside the USA. The two-day programme focused on developing leadership skills, building confidence and learning how to manage emotions both on and off the golf course.
One of the techniques we were introduced to was “BLAB”, which stands for Body, Language, Appreciation and Breathe. This provided us with a simple method for recognising and managing our emotions, demonstrating how changes in our breathing, body language and mindset can influence our approach to different situations. We also explored how we respond to negative emotions through an activity where we wrote down three negative feelings, tore up the paper and threw the pieces into the air. This provided a practical way of showing how you can change how you feel in an instant by recognising and letting go of negative thoughts.
The programme also included a variety of practical golf activities. In one putting challenge, we were blindfolded and had to rely on a partner to direct us towards the hole, testing communication and trust while aiming to complete the putt in as few shots as possible. We also attempted flop shots over a tall wall, focusing on encouraging our peers and persevering when shots did not go to plan.
Another activity involved creating our own vision boards using a range of craft materials. These collages represented our future goals and ambitions, as well as the steps and people that could help us achieve them. This encouraged us to think about our aspirations and how we could work towards them.
A particular highlight was a surprise visit from LPGA Tour player Charley Hull. She spoke about her journey into professional golf, the challenges she has faced and her experiences throughout her career. We were also given the opportunity to ask questions and speak with her afterwards, providing valuable insight into life as a professional golfer.
To conclude the programme, we explored different leadership styles and personality types. By identifying our own ‘bird’ personality type, we gained a better understanding of our individual strengths, communication styles and how these can contribute to effective leadership. The LPGA Leadership Academy team was consistently supportive throughout the two days and provided us with personalised gifts, including ball markers representing our bird types.
Overall, the LPGA Leadership Academy was a valuable opportunity to develop practical leadership and communication skills alongside other young female golfers. We gained techniques that can be applied both on and off the course, while building connections within the Young Ambassadors community and gaining a greater understanding of what effective leadership involves.
