We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michele Paddleford a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Michele, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Success can show up in a lot of different areas of our lives – from career milestones and personal relationships to community involvement and financial well-being. I firmly believe that, to achieve true success, we need to look beyond just our individual accomplishments. There’s no “I” in success; it’s all about listening to others, recognizing what really matters, and appreciating diverse perspectives.
I find that collaborating with people I trust and giving them the space to share their ideas can spark some really creative thinking. Sometimes, it’s the most unexpected voices that can lead to game-changing ideas that we can turn into something amazing. In my experience with growing and developing Gals on the Green (now ForeGals on the Green) over these past 2+ years, I’ve found the insights from my business partners, board members, and colleagues to be incredibly valuable. I also always remind our members that ForeGals is their club, and their opinions really matter – because that’s absolutely the case. This approach helps everyone feel more invested and ensures their voices are heard while allowing us, as business leaders, to think more effectively outside of the box.
Leadership and success go hand in hand, and real success happens when we can step back and prioritize the perspectives of others. Their insights can shed light on important things we might miss without their input.
Michele, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Michele Paddleford, the Co-Founder and CEO of ForeGals on the Green. With over 20 years of experience in event planning and marketing, I have had the pleasure of merging my passion for golf with my professional expertise.
My journey into the golf industry began in 2012 when I was assigned to manage registration for a golf tournament at the prestigious Coto De Caza Golf & Racquet Club in South Orange County. As the planning progressed, my skills in event logistics became increasingly apparent, leading to my promotion from Registration Coordinator to Event Director. Over three successful years, we raised nearly $1 million for charitable causes, igniting my enthusiasm for organizing golf events – a task that felt remarkably similar to my previous work with large-scale corporate functions.
In 2018, I joined an event production company in Orange County that specialized in golf tournaments. My resume, showcasing my successes in both general events and golf, opened the door to a Project Manager role where I spent over five years. During this time, I was involved in the production of around 500 golf tournaments, ranging from charity fundraisers to corporate outings, celebrity events, and intimate social gatherings. In 2019, I made a personal commitment to golf, playing regularly and deepening my appreciation for the sport.
In 2022, I was approached by a longtime friend who had just started expressing an interest in the sport. She shared a challenging experience she had at a driving range, where she encountered unsolicited advice from a male that left her feeling deflated. This conversation sparked an idea: what if we created a safe, supportive environment for women to enjoy golf together, free from the frustration of mansplaining? After considering her vision, I was eager to join the venture, and thus Gals on the Green was born. In 2024 we acquired ForeGals Golf, making us one of the largest ladies social golf clubs in all of Southern California! To pay homage to ForeGals while still maintaining our brand identify, we decided to merge club names to officially become ForeGals on the Green.
ForeGals on the Green is a membership-based golf society for women where we make learning to golf (and getting better at it) easy and approachable. We strive to empower and inspire women golfers of all levels by fostering a supportive and inclusive community. Our mission is to promote the love of golf through camaraderie, skill development, and memorable experiences both on and off the course. We are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where women can connect, grow, and enjoy the game together.
We have chapters established in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties with new chapters opening in early 2025 in Chino, Palm Springs, and Temecula.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I first met our Founder and President of Operations, Marlene Beisel, in 2008. We had just registered our kids to play flag football and were assigned to the same team. Marlene’s husband was the head coach, and he nominated her to be the team mom. It didn’t take long for us to become good friends. After our first year, I noticed how overwhelming the team mom responsibilities were for a busy working mom like Marlene. So, I offered to lend a hand, and for the next four years, we tackled the role of co-team moms together. Our kids eventually moved on to other interests, but through the ups and downs of life – marriages, divorces, and changes – we stayed connected.
When Marlene reached out with the idea for Gals on the Green, it felt like a natural next step for us. I had shared my passion for golf on social media, and Marlene had just taken up the sport herself in 2022 alongside her sister-in-law, Ashlie DeVincenzi, who is our third partner and President of Member Relations. Ironically enough, Ashlie and I met back in 2008 during our football days because she got involved with helping the cheerleading program.
Football may have brought us together as families, but golf has now taken its place, creating new opportunities for friendship and growth. It’s a beautiful reminder that even as life changes, our connections can inspire new adventures!
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
In today’s digital age, navigating the marketing landscape can be somewhat of a challenge if you aren’t leveraging the right tools. Many individuals are inundated with promotional emails and their information is often repurposed for text campaigns and unsolicited calls. Traditional marketing methods have evolved, and as millions turn to apps and social media for their news, a significant portion still experiences fatigue from this constant barrage of information.
Our goal is to identify the most effective platforms to engage our audience and keep our members informed about everything related to ForeGals. While we maintain our email marketing campaigns, we are also focusing heavily on social media engagement. In 2024, we were thrilled to welcome Tanya Figueroa, one of our members, to our team. With her expertise in social media, Tanya is helping us optimize our accounts and enhance our brand presence across all platforms.
Additionally, we are preparing to re-launch our custom app, available on both the App Store and Google Play. This app will allow our members to stay connected with our club while on the go. It features member chat tools, mobile event registration capabilities, account management, photo sharing, and much more. We’re committed to providing our community with innovative tools that enhance their experience and foster stronger connections.
We also have a member rewards (loyalty) program which allows members to earn points for their active participation in our club. These points can be redeemed for event credits, merchandise discounts, and more. It’s our way of recognizing and rewarding those who stay engaged and involved with our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.foregalsonthegreen.golf
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galsonthegreengolf/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galsonthegreengolf/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/galsonthegreengolf/
Image Credits
Jessica Bodas Photography