These are exciting times for the game of golf and those who love and live it. At GolfNow we are driving forward and reshaping an entire industry – disrupting the status quo, building innovative new web-based and mobile products, and assisting golf course operators with running profitable, sustainable businesses.
While the sports technology industry is broadly perceived to be male dominated, here at GolfNow we bring the spirit of the game into the workplace and in particular a sense of respectful fair play and equality of opportunity.
International Women’s day on 8th March provides an opportunity for Rosie McCaul, HR Manager for GolfNow, International to reflect on how female team members are owning their careers and adding value to the business.
Michaela McGrath joined the company in 2015 as an Operations Analyst working in the Customer Success Team. Last year, she took the opportunity to shift the direction of her career path and joined the Product and Technology team as a QA Engineer.
Anna McWilliams began with GolfNow in 2015 as a Course Sales Associate. In her role, Anna works closely with golf course partners to help them maximize their rounds and revenue. In the past months, Anna, has developed a keen interest in golf and now plays regularly.
Niamh Goodwin has been working at GolfNow since 2015. She began her career as an Operations Analyst before joining the Implementation Team, working to bring golf clubs closer to our technology. Now, she is a System Analyst ensuring the day-to-day running of our websites.
What is your primary role, and how do you support GolfNow UK & Ireland?
Michaela: I am currently part of the QA team that is responsible for ensuring the quality of our products to customers and businesses internationally, using manual and automated testing. My key responsibilities include, but are not limited, to testing for/supporting releases, testing new features, documenting/tracking issues/enhancements and holding usability sessions within our wider company on new features to gain feedback. We like to refer to ourselves as the “gatekeepers” for our product quality, and must consistently ask questions throughout the software development life cycle to ensure the desired output will be achieved!
Anna: As the Course Sales Associate for south England I have worked as part of our team for almost two and a half years. I offer a remote service designed to grow course rounds and sales at our partner golf clubs through data analytics, market trends and consumer buying patterns.
Niamh: As a Systems Analyst, I work with business users, stakeholders, and technical teams to ensure that the GolfNow production system is stable and continuously evolving. I am the first system analyst in the UK! My key responsibilities include evaluating and conducting root cause analyses of production operational issues while serving as a technical liaison between the business users and engineering team.
You are all involved in helping build a great culture in our City Quays office. How would you describe the office culture here?
Michaela: The culture in GolfNow is better than I could have expected. It is made up of a great group of people who are friendly and willing to help everyone. Culture is very important within GolfNow and is actively focused on by our Culture Club who plan frequent outings and activities. We are also able to get lessons from some of our keen golfers within the office thanks to our in-house simulator!
Anna: GolfNow has a brilliant atmosphere. Everyone is approachable and keen to help and support where they can! Working in sales means cross-team interaction is very important. Thanks to the Culture Club, we also host activities outside of work. This brings the whole team together so we can get to know each other!
Niamh: Our Culture Club involves various team members from all departments getting together every couple of months to make sure there are social activities planned throughout the year. There’s usually one every month, and our activities range from camping to team building, mini-golf or just hanging out! In the office, we have a pool table, beer fridge, PlayStations and a golf simulator which people are free to use at any time of day. It’s our fantastic culture that has allowed us to win ‘Best Company to Work For’ at the Belfast Business Awards two years running!
As a woman working in sports tech industry how will GolfNow support you towards and through your longer-term career?
Michaela: GolfNow actively encourages everyone, regardless of gender, to get involved with all parts of the company and anything they are interested in. The opportunities that I have been presented with at GolfNow will massively help me towards my long-term career. From the beginning, good ideas have been welcomed and, even as a graduate, you can get your ideas recognised and implemented. We work together to provide the best products and services and every employee is given equal opportunities. I started in the Customer Success Team as a graduate and have been surrounded by intelligent and helpful people from day one. I had always expressed an interest in the Product & Development side of the company, and with the guidance of my colleagues—including an after-work QA Bootcamp—I was able to gain valuable experience that helped me apply for my current role. I now look forward to a long career in QA and will be forever grateful to GolfNow for helping me achieve this.
Anna: With technology being at the hub of the majority of industries and large companies, this experience will be applicable to any industry! Being in sales, I have learnt a lot working alongside Product and Technology, Finance and Marketing, all of which has opened my eyes to other areas I would not normally be involved in and how they work. The sporting industry is predominantly male, as is IT – so to break the mold and combine both creates confidence and a drive to do even better! This is a drive that will stay with me in any area I work in.
GolfNow gives us many opportunities to steer our own career in a direction that is best suited to us.
Niamh: It’s not as common for women to take up jobs in the sports technology industry, but there is no barrier for women in terms of career progression at GolfNow! There are a lot of great opportunities in GolfNow and under the Golf Channel umbrella that are available to anyone willing to work for them. I started at GolfNow roughly 2 and half years ago, and during that time I’ve been promoted twice thanks to great leadership who provided me with opportunities to prove myself.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received that others could apply to their own position?
Michaela: Set your goals! Having goals gives you a clear idea of what to work towards and a better understanding of how to get there.
Anna: Be confident! Believe in yourself and the job you are doing. This will come across to the customer and instill their faith in you to get results. Be prepared for your working week and never be afraid to ask questions!
Niamh: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Everyone asks questions and everyone has to learn. If you have a good mentor or leader, they’ll respect your desire to learn!
Why would you recommend GolfNow as a great company to work for?
Michaela: GolfNow presents amazing opportunities and is a great place to work. The culture here is unlike anywhere I have worked before!
Anna: Coming from working for my family business, I had obvious reservations about an office and large company surroundings. But GolfNow was better than I could have imagined! Everyone was so welcoming and I have made so many new friends.
Niamh: Aside from the great opportunities, company perks and an amazing office, it’s the culture of GolfNow that makes the company stand out from the rest.
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