As part of International Women’s Day last month, The Golf Business spoke to two women who both work at Fairmont St Andrews. Here, in their own words, Kirsten and Erin explain why they are more than just two people who work for golf clubs – from a young age their ambition has been to work in the golf industry.
Kirsten Thorpe, golf operations assistant
My love for golf began at the age of nine when my dad took me to the driving range for the first time. From that moment, I was hooked, and I haven’t stopped playing since. Over the years, I have competed at various levels, representing my county, my region and participating in national tournaments such as the Scottish Under-16 Open and the English Girls Under-18 Championship.
Golf has always been a significant part of my life, and my passion for the sport led me to study applied golf management at the University of Birmingham. This programme provided me with invaluable knowledge about the golf industry and helped shape my vision for the future.
Starting my career at the ‘Home of Golf’, Fairmont St Andrews, has been both challenging and rewarding. My role involves assisting with golf days, open competitions and member events, while also ensuring that visitors to the resort have an exceptional experience. Recently, I was honoured to be selected for The R&A’s Women in Golf Leadership Foundation Programme. This opportunity will help me develop my leadership skills within the golf team and prepare me to take on greater responsibilities in the future.
Growing up, I was fortunate to have a strong support system, especially at my home golf clubs. The women’s section and fellow members often stepped in to drive me to events, matches or training sessions when my parents were unavailable. Their support allowed me to compete in higher-level tournaments and expand my network within the sport.
Because of my own positive experiences, I am passionate about creating similar opportunities for other women and girls in golf. My goal is to organise more events that encourage female participation in the sport, ultimately leading to more women pursuing careers in the golf industry. By increasing female representation, we can begin to shift the long-standing perception of golf as an ‘old man’s sport’ and make it a more inclusive and diverse environment for future generations.
Erin Wilson, golf operations assistant
Golf has been a part of my life since I was seven years old. I’ll never forget my first trip to the driving range with my little brother, Sam, and my set of Barbie golf clubs. Sam had been obsessed with the sport since he could walk, and his passion was contagious — it was what first sparked my interest. From that moment on, my childhood revolved around golf, traveling across the UK and overseas to compete in junior tournaments. Eventually, my family’s deep connection to the game led us to make a life-changing move from Essex to St Andrews, the Home of Golf.
After finishing high school, I found myself uncertain about my career path. That’s when I took a job at the Old Course pro shop, and everything clicked. I loved being part of an experience that brought people so much excitement and joy. Seeing golfers from all over the world share a deep love for the game only strengthened my own. Recently, I joined Fairmont St Andrews as a golf operations assistant, with hopes of starting my PGA professional trainee journey in September. My ultimate aspiration is to become a junior golf coach, helping young players develop a passion for the game while ensuring they have a positive and rewarding experience.
Golf has shaped my life in more ways than I can count — it has boosted my confidence, strengthened my mental resilience and opened doors to an exciting career. That’s why I’m passionate about encouraging more women to take up the sport. I know firsthand that golf offers so much more than meets the eye, and I want to help break down the barriers that still exist. While female representation in golf has grown significantly in recent years, there’s still plenty of room for progress. Women’s voices and engagement are key to this evolution.
As a young girl, I once believed that the only way to build a career in golf was to train relentlessly and make it onto the professional tour. Discovering the diverse range of roles available in the golf industry was a game-changer for me. I’m committed to highlighting these opportunities for other women and challenging the misconception that you have to be a highly skilled player to work in golf. The game has so much to offer, and I want to ensure more women feel welcome, empowered and inspired to be a part of it.
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