Membership and Organization

The Fairway Network is a volunteer organization of approximately 200 women. It is led by a Board of Directors who are elected annually by the membership. Work of the Board is accomplished by committee; the committees include nominating, membership, events, communications and community service.

Activities

The Fairway Network holds a number of different events and golf opportunities throughout the year, which are open to all skill levels. Because membership is focused toward women in business, you can meet and play golf with your peers, while also building new friendships and establishing valuable contacts. The Fairway Network schedule of activities includes:

Season Tee-Off: A pre-season event with clinics, demonstrations, lectures by LPGA members, networking, and the first opportunity to sign up for fast-selling events.

Leagues: We also have 4 weekend morning leagues: Robert Black, Govern Memorial Golf Course (formerly Peter Jans), Jackson Park, and Eaglewood in Itasca. Each league offers something different.

18-hole outings at some of the best golf venues in Chicagoland: Some of the clubs who have hosted outings for The Fairway Network include Medinah Country Club, Klein Creek, Prairie Landing, Bonnie Brook, Cog Hill, Golf Club of Illinois, Lake Barrington Shores, and Evanston Country Club. Outing formats include scrambles, better ball and stroke play, with games, contests, prizes, food, and 19th hole networking at all events. The major season event is the community service fundraiser.

Golf Schools and Clinics: Local training and away-trips are typically part of the Network’s season schedule. Schools have included the U.S. Golf Academy in Plymouth, Indiana and Belvedere Plantation in Hampstead, North Carolina.

Community Service

Since the founding of The Fairway Network, it has had as its key mission component to promote community service through golf. In 1999, The Fairway Network was proud to receive the Diamond in the Rough Award from the Willye White Foundation, which promotes self esteem through sports for underprivileged girls. This award is presented to individuals or groups who are exemplary in their efforts to benefit girls and women in sports. In addition to the Willye White Foundation, The Fairway Network has contributed to LPGA’s official charity, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the NIU Women’s Golf Team, The Bottomless Closet and St. Scholastica High School, an inner-city school in an economically disadvantaged area, in its effort to obtain used golf equipment for the start-up of its girls’ golf team.

The majority of The Fairway Network’s charitable contributions are raised at its annual fund raiser golf outing. Funds are raised through corporate sponsorship of the outing, greens fees, mulligan sales, raffles and a silent auction. In the year 2004, over $32,000 was raised at the season fundraiser of The Fairway Network.

Membership Benifits

Through their networking activities, many members of The Fairway Network come together to arrange their own outings and trips, in addition to those formally sponsored by the Network. For example, in 2000, four members took a week long golf trip to Scotland and played some of the classic links in golf’s history. Another foursome took a five day trip to Myrtle Beach for two rounds a day. This same group is going again this year, and has expanded to include a second foursome. Several members who do not play in the Saturday leagues put together groups of eight for golf around Chicagoland on Saturdays when there are no Network events.

Business networking through The Fairway Network has proven to deliver real paybacks. One member who is a marketing professional was referred to several prospects by another member, and those referrals resulted in two engagements for a marketing plan and marketing materials. Another member completed her MBA and wished to change career direction. A referral to another Network member led to an interview and new employment.

Other benefits of membership include access to information. Newsletters are sent to all members four times annually. In June, The Fairway Network Membership Directory is published. Other special offers and events are published throughout the season.

Members also have access to various instructional opportunities, a handicapping service and a competitive tournament, The Fairway Cup.

Click Here to download the Handicapping Service Instructions

To post a score on-line visit www.cdga.org

Membership Application

To join The Fairway Network, print and complete the membership application and mail with your annual dues of $100 to the following address: (Make check payable to The Fairway Network or visit our paypal page.)

Download the 2008 Membership Application



The Fairway Network
P.O. Box 1018
New Lenox, Illinois 60451

815-462-1393 (voice mail)
815-462-5394 (fax)

fairwaynet@comcast.net