More Than Golf: Empowering the Next Generation at the Inaugural More Than Golf Invitational
This past weekend, Coconads Founder Nadia O'Connor had the honor of attending the Inaugural More Than Golf Invitational as one of 20 selected executive women invited to share career and life advice with student-athletes. Held at the stunning Old Barnwell Golf Course in Aiken, South Carolina, this event was hosted by The Annika Foundation, founded by the legendary Annika Sörenstam—the greatest golfer of all time. The foundation’s mission is to empower and develop the next generation of women through golf, and this event embodied that spirit.
Twelve NCAA Division I women’s golf teams from universities across the country came together not only to compete in a tournament but also to grow personally and professionally.
A year ago, I had the privilege of connecting with Rob Ohno and shared the vision behind Coconads. He immediately saw the alignment between our mission and this incredible event, and it turned out to be a perfect fit.
As part of Executive Women’s Day, I had the opportunity to engage with the talented collegiate golfers—helping them navigate the transition from athletics to their future careers. I was happy to offer advice as a young woman entrepreneur in the golf industry. From a golf clinic to an intimate dinner in downtown Aiken, the energy was electric. The players were eager to learn, not just about the game but also about entrepreneurship, leadership, and career growth. Their enthusiasm and ambition were truly inspiring, especially those with dreams of starting their own businesses.
The event concluded with the women executives playing Old Barnwell’s new kids' course, reinforcing the club’s commitment to making golf more inclusive, especially for young children. As a new boy mom, this deeply resonated with me. The thought of one day bringing my son to this course, where the love for golf is nurtured in such a meaningful way, is incredibly exciting.
Golf is about so much more than the game itself—it’s about building a supportive, empowering community. At Coconads, that’s exactly what we stand for: women's empowerment, confidence, and breaking barriers.
A huge thank you to The Annika Foundation, Old Barnwell, and all the inspiring women who made this event unforgettable. Here’s to continuing to uplift and empower the next generation—on and off the course.
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