Wednesday heralded a new era for Jenny Hennessy’s girls-only golf group – Chicks With Sticks.
Having successfully introduced over 160 women to golf in Dubai since launching the group in March earier this year, 28-year-old Hennessy has stuck to her promise of growing the game, one Chick, and one Emirate, at a time with the launch of Chicks With Sticks in Abu Dhabi.
The groups’ maiden outing at Abu Dhabi Golf Club saw 50 newcomers to the game take part in an introduction to golf clinic, before socialising over a glass or two of bubbles on the clubhouse terrace.
“I feel it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” replied Hennessy when asked about the growth of the group.
“I’m definitely very happy and it really is a dream come true to see Chicks With Sticks continue to go from strength to strength. When I first came up with the idea for the group, I never envisaged it growing this large, or being this successful, I just have to keep pinching myself!”
The Dubai-based Chicks With Sticks group has grown from strength to strength since the first 30 members took part in an introduction to the game earlier this year. Just two months after that the programme had trebled in size with close to 100 Chicks taking up the game while the group currently boasts over 160 Chicks taking part in weekly sesssions at the Claude Harmon II Performance Golf Academy.
Hennessy was confident in venturing to further Emirates last time we spoke, and with over 50 women turning up for the first taster session, it’s clear to see that the group is showing no signs of slowing down.
“The evening went swimmingly in Abu Dhabi,” she said. “A big thank you to Abu Dhabi Golf Club for hosting such a wonderful event. It was very exciting to see the flocks of girls arriving, who were all newcomers to the sport. I definitely had butterflies in my stomach before the event as I just wanted the evening to run smoothly and have a decent crowd turn up, but most importantly, I wanted everyone to have a good time.
“Having spoken to the girls after the event, and noticing the large smiles on their faces, I’m thrilled to say the evening was a huge success. I also received many kind messages from the girls after the event, which makes me feel really proud to have created this golfing community, and hugely motivates me to grow the game.”
With a second Emirate now ticked off the list, where can we expect the next Chicks invasion?
“We will soon wrap up season four of Chick With Sticks in Dubai,” she said. “The programme continues to go from strength to strength at our home base at the Claude Harmon III Performance Golf Academy. In March, Chicks With Sticks will be one year old so I’m already planning big event for this! A large focus for me in January will be getting Chick With Sticks weekly lessons up and running smoothly in Abu Dhabi; I’m excited to see what kind of opportunities develop at our new base.
“Plans are already in motion to continue expanding Chicks With Sticks, starting with Ras Al Khaimah in early January. I’m extremely excited to grow the game one Chick, and one Emirate, at a time.”
If any women in Abu Dhabi would like to join Chicks With Sticks in January 2022, please contact Jenny through the Chicks With Sticks Instagram page or email chickswithsticksdubai@gmail.com
