Member Spotlight – WSNGA Secretary Monica Kaili
LAS VEGAS, NV (Feb. 21, 2020)–Monica Kaili, like the rest of the board members for the WSNGA, just wants to help make a difference. Kaili has been the group’s secretary since 2018. In her tenure she’s seen the group grow. But, she also knows there are more women out here who would benefit from the experience of being part of the association. She’s on the lookout. –by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider staff.
“It can certainly be intimidating when they first join a women’s association,” Kaili said. “Then they realize they have to play by the rules. It’s not a casual thing like with their husbands or girlfriends. Some girls who might be a 30 handicap might be intimidated but they shouldn’t be. Just come on out. It doesn’t matter what your skill level is. We all started somewhere.”
Kaili has been playing golf for 33 years and is a regular at Boulder City Golf Course.
“I still work full time so I get two days off and if the weather’s good I play golf both days,” she said with a laugh.
As for the association, she said she’s just been a recent addition.
“I took the secretary position in 2017,” she said. “The previous secretary had done it for so long but when she was resigning, I thought…what the heck, I’ll do it. It didn’t look like anyone else in the room wanted to do it so I said I would.”
Little did she know.
“There is quite a bit of work involved,” she said. “But it also lets me be part of the group that’s trying to grow this association. I put the calendar together, booklets and I’m the contact for association people who are putting on tournaments so there’s a little bit involved. I’ve learned a lot.”
She’s also learned that growing the WSNGA can be easier said than done.
“That’s the tough part,” she said. “I used to just go to tournaments and play and then thank the people who were in charge and head home. Now it’s more interesting. I see how much time and effort it takes to get these tournaments up and running. It’s given me a new appreciation for the dedication these people have.”
And she’s hoping to help the association grow…even if it’s one person at a time.
“Whenever I’m paired with someone I don’t know I try to talk to them about the association,” she said. “If they aren’t from my area (Boulder City) I’ll try to initiate a way to get them in contact with someone at a course in their area about joining and getting them involved.”
She admits it’s a tough sell at times, but not for the reason people may think.
“The women’s population is getting older,” she said. “It’s hard to attract the younger players because with careers and families, their time is limited. We’re trying to figure ways to get them involved and boost participation in events but it’s a tough battle at times.”
