Meet Trailblazer Cori Matheson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cori Matheson.

Cori, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been in my role as the Director of The LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix since 2013. I am actually an alumni of the local program and participated in Girls Golf of Phoenix when I was a junior player. I started playing golf when I was 12 with dad and the local Girls program. I was the girl that wanted to volunteer, help and mentor the younger players and I stayed involved with the program throughout high-school.

When I was 12 years old, I told the former director (Kathy Knadler) that she had the best job! I told her that I aspired to run the program (just like her) in my future… 20 years after that – I was offered my current role (Thank you, Kathy!).

The LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix is now one of the largest & most active Girls Golf Chapters in the world (over 400 sites). The Girls Golf of Phoenix is a 501(c)(3) subsidiary of The LPGA Foundation & Junior Golf Association of Arizona.

Through Girls Golf, our special #GirlsGolfFamily and I strive to provide Phoenix Area girls with an empowering passion for golf, an environment to energize & engage the girls as well as grow the game of golf.

I have 25+ years of Junior Golf Experience as a competitive player & strong leader in the Phoenix area junior golf scene. In addition to my role with Girls Golf, I held multiple internship, tournament & management positions with The Southwest Section PGA, The Junior Golf Association of Arizona & The First Tee. I was a recognized Coach with The First Tee & was honored to travel as a National Trainer in 2012. In 2012, I left the golf industry to pursue a different career path with a family business where I learned so many valuable skills about sales, management, and diversity that enhance my role today. At the end of 2013, I was offered a once-in-a-life opportunity to run Girls Golf of Phoenix – just like I had wished for 20 years prior – so, I jumped… here I am, six years later, and I am exactly where I am supposed to be…

I played on a collegiate golf scholarship at Flagler College in St. ​​Augustine, Florida and graduated with a degree in Sport Management & Business. I am in the process of completing my LPGA Teaching & Club Professional Class A Professional Status.

To top all that off – I am a mom to three girls! Thank goodness for my amazing husband, Rick!

It is empowering to blend my professional passions with my family and I feel so lucky.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I am so blessed to have had some wonderful opportunities and build strong business relationships along with my career but there will always be challenges…

I have struggled with finding a purpose or “personal mission” (both professional and personal). A few years ago, before I was offered this role with Girls Golf, I had left the golf industry to open a business with my family, I was also dealing with some life changes personally. That period of time was a developmental challenge/opportunity for growth that I am so grateful to have experienced. I believe it offered me valuable tools that I can apply to my life today both personally and professionally. Then, my current opportunity came…

I didn’t plan for the career path I am on now – the opportunity was presented to me and I had no idea it would fulfill my heart as much as it does. The lines between my personal passion/personal mission and my career are blurred – Is it personal or professional? YES.

My advice to others would be to build a strong and diverse network – the relationships you build along the way of your career are SO important – YOU never know when something can turn into your “job” or a career. It truly is all about who you know…

Also, I would strongly advise, that others spend time on defining what makes YOU happy – what makes YOU excited? – what makes YOU motivated? – explore if there is a career where that passion can be fed. If your passion and career can align, it is magic.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am known for being a “mom” – not only to my three girls but to others – It is a role that I carry with passion and purpose.

My passion in my career AND life comes from my family – my desire to share a passion for motherhood! I consider my business an extension of my family… we are a #GirlsGolfFamily!

I have a daughter who is 8, Bradley Rose who is active in Girls Golf. My husband, Rick {who is an amazing 6th-grade teacher} & his two daughters play a huge role in my life {Mia – age 10 & Reed – age 6}. My parents are still local & very involved in the program. My members have the honor of seeing my father {Brad}, Mother {Pam}, Rick & the girls at events!

With Girls Golf, I have the privilege of being a “mom” to the 240+ members and families involved with the program. I strive to create a safe and fun environment that engages the girls, empowers their athletic abilities and enriches their lives.

I truly believe that the curriculum/support provided by the LPGA plus the community support mixed with my passion sets Girls Golf of Phoenix apart from any other group (local or national). It isn’t about the golf – it is about the family.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
Girls need strong female leaders and a safe place to build their confidence. Yes, equality is important but girls thrive in a female-enriched environment and I think it is important to continue to celebrate and embrace that with groups like ours.

The golf industry is on a strong upward movement for increasing youth involvement and being innovative, creative and receptive to diversity is on the positive trend. The perception of “golf” could still use some positive attention to continue this growth.

To bring attention to a “big barrier” in youth athletics (male and female), I think it is SO critical for parents and organizations to remember that these are important years for development for these kiddos and TO KEEP IT FUN! Golf is a game! Sports are meant for fun, social engagement, and self-discovery. I am so thrilled to provide an organization that enriches the “fun” side of golf and truly believe that this empowers our future leaders!

Pricing:

• Annual Membership Fee (Girls 3-18): $40
• Event fees vary depending on format/locations: $0 – $60 (affordable)
• We offer events for new girls that are FREE and do not require membership – #GameChangers

Contact Info:

• Address: Serving the Valley of The Sun!
  40+ Events Annually – All over the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
• Website: www.girlsgolfofphoenix.org
• Email: engage@girlsgolfofphoenix.org, Director: Cori Matheson – cori@girlsgolfofphoenix.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/girlsgolfofphoenix
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/girlsgolfofphoenix
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/girlsgolfofphx

Image Credit:
Girls Golf of Phoenix Corporate and Commercial Photography by Randall Photography 1-602-788-0885. www.randallphotography.net

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.