COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 17, 2021) – Fran Kocsis, PGA is a Champion of Women’s Golf. Ohio Dominican University Women’s Golf presented Kocsis with the Champion of Women’s Golf award Friday evening prior to opening their season at the inaugural Champions of Women’s Golf tournament.
10 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf teams will compete on Saturday in the Champions of Women’s Golf Classic hosted by Ohio Dominican University at Champions Golf Course in Columbus. To kick off the inaugural event, Ohio Dominican University Women’s Golf honored Champions Golf Course Head Professional Fran Kocsis, PGA as a Champion of Women’s Golf for all that she has done to grow the game for women in Columbus.
“People like Fran growing the game, getting more and more young ladies to want to play golf has created the need to expand divisions, expand competition, and give more opportunities to more young ladies,” said Ohio Dominican Golf Coach Chris Deibel, PGA. “Women want to play golf and we just need to keep encouraging them and helping them enjoy the game.”
Fran Kocsis, PGA comes from a prominent golf family in Michigan. She was introduced to the sport as a young girl and her passion for the game has only grown since then. Kocsis began her golf career as an Assistant Professional at Franklin Hills Country Club in Michigan. She moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1995 to accept the Assistant Professional position at Champions Golf Course. In March 2010, Kocsis became the Head Professional at Champions where she and Superintendent Sherry Brogan would become the first female Head Professional – female Superintendent duo in the Nation. Throughout her 27 year career, she has been a prominent player when it comes to growing the game among women and girls in Columbus.
“It’s exciting. It’s amazing,” noted Kocsis about the event for young women taking place at her facility. “From where I came from, when Title IX first kicked in, to see this happening in Women’s Golf, and in other women’s sports as well. To see this kind of competition at a Division II school, it is just very, very rewarding to see this stuff happening.”
In the mid-1970’s, Kocsis played golf for Florida State University before women’s golf was recognized as an NCAA sport. She grew up hearing the various stereotypes about women in golf, which fueled her passion for introducing women and girls to the game throughout her career.
“I’ve worked hard all my life to disprove male stigmatisims of women in golf. [The subliminal] things made me fight harder and work harder to prove people wrong that women can do these jobs and women should be doing these jobs,” recalled a thoughtful Kocsis.
Upon the acceptance of the Champion of Women’s Golf Award, Kocsis addressed the 62 young female athletes about her experience as a female PGA Professional. She discussed the various avenues a person can explore in the golf industry and shared great advice as they move on from college and go out into the world.
“Just know who you are. Be the best person you can be. Educate yourself with what you want to do and be smart in your decisions. Know who you are to be strong enough to forge through anything that life throws your way.”
