Committee Spotlight - Karen Parks, Director of Junior Golf

County Spotlight: Karen Parks, Director of Junior Golf

Following our interview with Helen Sharpe (Competition Committee) in August, we are delighted to share with you an interview with Karen Parks who joined the SCLGA Board last year.  

Role: Director of Junior Golf
Time in Role: 1 year
Home Club: Chichester GC

Tell us about your golf journey, when you started?
I played a little golf in my teenage years but then university and career followed which left little time to continue. It wasn't until I got to hit some balls at a large business event a few years ago that I realised how much I enjoyed it. In 2019, I joined Chichester GC and signed up for a series of lessons with Mark Wood (now Pro at Alresford). My first handicap was 28.4.

Since then we have had COVID which significantly impacted golf plus I subsequently suffered a serious shoulder injury. Whilst injured and unable to play, I volunteered and took on the role of Competition Secretary at Chichester and then went on to be Vice Captain then Lady Captain in 2022-23. 

Career/work life?
I worked for a long time in B2B Media in the medical devices sector and was fortunate to be involved in a management buy-out in 2004. Myself and a business partner set-up a business running large conferences, tradeshows and controlled circulation magazines. We grew to be the most successful in our field within Europe despite the efforts of a large US competitor. Canon Communications wished to dominate the market and having not been successful in driving us out of the market, made us an offer we could not refuse. Following a handover transition period, I was able to retire although not for very long as I returned to support another business which again was later sold. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunities I have had during my working life and have tried to use my skills and experience building teams in a voluntary capacity since my retirement, including Chair of a Parish Council for 3 years! 

How did you become involved in the County?
Jane Buckley, current SCLGA Hon Secretary is at my club and mentioned the role to me. The previous Junior Director Louise Simmons got in touch and we had a phone call to discuss the role followed by a meeting at a Junior Match hosted by Chichester in 2023. I am a keen promoter of women and girls in business and whilst I was fortunate, it is certainly not the norm. The opportunity to promote and grow golf for girls in the county, working in a sport I love was very appealing.

What does your role involve?
I feel my role is very much to grow the game of golf, encouraging more girls to get involved, providing coaching opportunities and competitions for them to develop and grow. Key aims:

• To mirror the overall county golf remit for female golf
• To build and provide a pathway/programme for girls to go through (from entry level to England Golf)

We currently offer coaching across three levels of ability for girls throughout Sussex. This sits on top of a County-wide Junior Development Tour where we work alongside the SGU (Sussex Golf Union) which get less experienced kids (girls and boys) onto the golf course in a friendly competitive environment. 

Coaching: Entry level Participation is for girls without a HCP Index and typically younger in age (7-10). The Development Academy level is for girls who typically have a HCP Index above 20 and the Performance Squad (Team Sussex) is for girls with HCP Index of 20 and below.

Events/Competitions: We run 3 events per year (Spring and Autumn Cup, Girls Championships) plus there is the Annual Junior County Match Week and numerous Sussex Club Junior Opens (many of which we use for our Order of Merit Competition). 

Key Achievements

I'd say the biggest achievement has been growing the connection with the Sussex County Golf (SCG) and specifically the Development Tour which is for juniors across Sussex, both girls and boys. There are lots more girls now participating.

What is the most challenging aspect of your role?
Probably all the mileage - we have a very 'wide' county!

...and the most rewarding part of the role?

Seeing the girls grow and improve, gaining confidence. I believe golf is a great game which teaches many valuable life lessons and skills including: self-belief, coping under pressure, ability to talk to people. All the things that make you a good golfer make you successful in whatever career or vocation you pursue.

Witnessing a girl joining as a timid, quiet person to seeing them getting their first birdie, first win and their excitement - nothing beats it.

2025 goals

• To win Junior County Match Week - we're at home at Worthing GC
• Continue to develop girls through the pathway
• Attract more girls and grow the game

and personally ... to get my handicap below 10!

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Thank you Karen for your commitment and support to SCLGA and driving junior girls golf forward.

If you know of any girls interested in golf within Sussex, please take a look at the junior area of the website and contact Karen for a chat. We'd love to hear from you.

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