Golf outing suits PWC members down to a tee.

Business golf outings are on a roll. Their popularity is so high that the industry events held at private country clubs "need to be booked as much as a year in advance," reports Theresa Vigilante, executive vice president of Professional Women in Construction (PWC).

Vigilante should know--she arranged PWC's "End of Season" all-day outing at the Elmwood Country Club in White Plains, New York, on Monday, September 27. She also initiated PWC's golf outings eleven years ago and has been organizing the now biannual events ever since.

Vigilante and PWC President Lenore Janis also know that what they had originally hoped to see is slowly coming to pass: more and more women are joining in.

"Golf outings were always popular in this industry because, frankly, construction and related areas have traditionally been heavily male-dominated. But PWC was formed almost 25 years ago to counter that emphasis and support the growing number of women in the field. If golf helps business networking, women should be a part of it. Now we're breaking records with the number of women we're seeing at the outings" said Janis following the most recent event.

Players agree. Kristy Holt, assistant superintendent for Turner Construction Company, said, "Women are continually growing in this industry. They are more encouraged to play at a PWC outing. And playing here makes them more confident to join other outings."

"There's still a dearth of women at other outings, "said Jennifer Carey, president of JLC Environmental Consultants. "Not so at PWC."

Kim Makay, a sales representative with Office Furniture On-call said, "Normally there are maybe four women in the locker room. Here it was closer to 40! It's good to get women out there to network."

The number of participants in sales and business development testifies to the value companies place on networking on the green--for women and men.

Annamarie Kovacik, Ibex Construction, came for the after hours networking at the cocktail party and dinner. "It's key to have women involved."

Construction attorney Genevieve P. Salvatore said, "This puts women on an even keel with men. It's good to get men and women in the industry together to play golf and do business."

Amy Kulka, director of business development with Kulka Construction, seconded the sentiment. "Being a woman in this field, I find such a welcoming environment here. It's a unique opportunity to foster new relationships and spend time with current contacts."

Scott Silberman, president of SMS Engineering PC, said, "It's a great way to make new relationships and relax too. There's such a large volume of women here--that's a side you don't see at most outings. It's important, especially since women's presence is becoming more evident in construction."

Steve Spina, a project manager with HRH Construction said, "It's mandatory to play golf in the business world--you have to get out there and swing a club. As for women--it's great that they're networking. And some of them play better than the men."

Pfizer Inc., Future Tech, Herman Miller, JetBlue, MSD Visuals, NYU School of Continuing Education, and Wal-Mart Realty sponsored the event.