Iona Stephen Event

It was a privilege to partner with our friends at BGF last week and host our first Q&A breakfast event with Iona Stephen. . In the relaxed surroundings of BGF offices on Melville Street, Iona came and spoke to a highly engaged audience in such an interesting and entertaining way about her career to date in and around golf and broadcasting.

A talented athlete across many sports, in particular hockey, Iona was a surprise late comer to golf, first picking up a club at the age of 19. This was after a day at the Women’s Open at Carnoustie that year which lit a spark and convinced her overnight that she wanted to become a professional golfer. Within four years, Iona had achieved a handicap of +4 and was well on her way to competing on the Ladies European Tour.

A cruel wrist injury very early in her career forced Iona to retire from playing the game professionally. She was quickly able to turn her considerable talents to interviewing, commentating and broadcasting. In just a short time in her company, it is very clear to see why Iona has been able to do this and become so successful so quickly in such a high-profile broadcasting role in golf. She remains an extremely proud Scot and a great ambassador for all things good associated with golf in Scotland.

Some of the questions asked and subjects discussed included:

• Bob from Oban (of course)  – his recent win in Canada and his very individual approach to the game. Why we are all so captivated by him and the chances of having a Scottish major champion again, plus the more imminent potential of a Bob vs Rory rematch at Renaissance next week…..?

• How golf has made great strides recently and what more it can do to appeal to and attract more young and female golfers to the game. The benefit of and skills gained when playing any sport when young and the value of taking our children to live sporting events to really set the tone for a lifelong passion for sport.

• The importance of the professional golfer and caddy relationship and an insight into some of the partnerships that work really well……and why.

• The psychology of the game and temperament and mental strength required to be successful – which Iona has shown in spades in her golf and wider career.

• The ability to deal with unexpected events in your career – when one door closes, another one will always open and having the confidence and resilience to commit to a slightly different path than the one you thought you would be on.

In such a busy month for professional golf in Scotland, we are so grateful to Iona for spending her morning with us, graciously answering many questions from our guests, sharing some A-list anecdotes and staying to chat with everyone at the end.

A big thank you to John Devine and Milly Hartley of BGF and to my FWB colleagues Laura McDonald and Alex Hardie for helping to make it all happen.

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