Royal Fremantle has seen a spike in women taking up club membership thanks to the success of their Women’s Golf Fundamentals initiative.
Delivered by PGA Associate Maddeline Baxter, the 22-week program introduces participants to the foundations of golf as well as providing meaningful pathways into club membership.
Beyond teaching the fundamentals of the swing and golf course etiquette, the program also delivers a combination of on-course instruction, play, mentorship and range time to ensure participants gain the skills and confidence needed to progress to playing nine holes of golf.
The program also fosters a strong sense of community, with many participants forming social connections through the shared experience of learning the game together.
Club mentors, meanwhile, play a key role in supporting participants during on-course sessions and welcoming them into the club environment.
To support the transition further, program graduates are invited to take up a three-month trial membership to get the full flavour of what the club has to offer on and off the course.
Remarkably, 53% of participants have gone on to take up full membership of the club, helping lift the total proportion of women members at Royal Fremantle from 17% to 19.5% in the past year.
Program graduate Kelly Newbon is amongst those who have gone on to take up membership at the club. She says the experience has been life-changing.
“The 22-week course did more than help my game, it helped so many aspects of my life,” she said. “We have made new friends for life, which made it easier to commit to joining the club because I wanted to keep that connection.”
Those views were echoed by Nikki Fox, another past participant who has transitioned to club membership.
“I’ve built amazing friendships with supportive, like-minded women, and the club ensured we were mentored into the game, not left to navigate alone,” she said.
“Royal Fremantle recognises the challenges beginners — especially women — face in a traditionally male-dominated sport and puts processes in place to make everyone feel supported. I feel incredibly fortunate to now be a member here.”
More than 50% of program participants have transitioned to club membership
Royal Fremantle General Manager Lucy Guppy says the success of the initiative had surpassed the club’s highest expectations.
“As a signatory to the R&A Women in Golf Charter, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment that supports female participation at all levels of the game,” she told GolfWA.
“We believe the 22-week program has been so successful due to its delivery by a female coach. Maddi Baxter has done a tremendous job of giving the participants not only the physical competence to play golf, but, just as importantly, the confidence to play.”
Royal Fremantle’s April 2026 program has already reached capacity, but you can find out more and register your interest for future programs here.
