How the Chicago Golf Gals are redefining the game
This article appeared in the February 2025 edition of Chicago District Golfer.
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Danielle Cinquepalmi hits her ball into a simulator screen at West Loop Golf Club, as fellow Chicago Golf Gals members (L-R) Ro Zamora, Samantha Seiler, Maggie O'Shea and Desiree Gonzalez look on.
In the heart of Chicago, a group of women is reshaping the narrative of golf. Founded in June 2023 by Ro Zamora, Chicago Golf Gals (CGG) is more than just a golf organization – it’s a thriving community that champions inclusivity, wellness and empowerment through the sport.
For Zamora, 28, golf began as a personal journey of healing. After seven years of service in the U.S. Army, Zamora became a successful financial services representative. When challenges at work affected her wellbeing, Zamora turned to golf for relief.
“It became a way for me to clear my mind and rebuild my confidence,” Zamora said. “It wasn’t just about the game; it was about the space it created for self-reflection and personal growth.”
Zamora’s drive to share the benefits of golf with other women led to the creation of CGG.
“I realized there weren’t any casual, welcoming communities for newer women golfers in Chicago,” she said.
CGG, which became a 501(c)3 in February 2024, recognizes the unique challenges faced by women in a historically male-dominated sport. Zamora has experienced first-hand the marginalization that impacts many female golfers.
“Golf has so many barriers – financial, cultural and social,” Zamora explained. “We wanted to create a space where women feel comfortable and valued.”
Zamora gauged interest in a women’s golf group by creating the Chicago Golf Gals Instagram page.
“The response was overwhelming,” she said.
The group’s first outing sold out in two days, setting the tone for its exponential growth.
One Chicagoland native, 29-year-old Sara Uhlir, played competitive golf through high school. After college, Uhlir returned home and quickly searched for a women’s golf league. She messaged the CGG Instagram account and, after a quick reply from Zamora, attended CGG’s first annual outing. Uhlir and her four-woman team won the scramble.
“Winning was fun,” Uhlir said. “But spending time with the girls afterwards left zero doubt in my mind that I’d continue with this group.”
Gaining more than 3,400 followers on Instagram and active participation from more than 1,000 members in under two years, Zamora needed to meet the demand for increased programming and facilities.
Normally found playing real courses during the summer, Chicago Golf Gals (L-R) Sara Uhlir, Desiree Gonzalez, Ro Zamora, Tessa Sumagui, Danielle Cinquepalmi, Maggie O'Shea and Samantha Seiler enjoy indoor golf during the winter.
A partnership with golf management company Troon has been instrumental in this mission, as it granted CGG access to courses and driving ranges at its facilities across the Chicago District.
“Ro is driving cultural change in golf,” said Matt McIntee, senior vice president at Troon and a CDGA Blue Coat. “Her commitment to creating a welcoming space for women is inspiring and exactly what the game needs. We at Troon were honored to support her.”
The success of CGG lies in its ability to bridge the gap between seasoned players and newcomers.
Nicole Hansen, 24, played six years of collegiate golf and makes time for CGG events amid a busy schedule that occasionally includes competition in professionally sanctioned events.
“People always ask me for pointers,” Hansen said. “It’s such a hard sport. What’s cool is we come together and just have fun, no matter experience level.”
Desiree Gonzalez, a local speech pathologist, joined the group as a beginner golfer soon after its inception. Despite her inexperience, Gonzalez found encouragement and support among the members.
“These women weren’t just golfers – they became friends who helped me through one of the toughest years of my life,” Gonzalez said.
CGG provided Gonzalez with the support she needed to fight ovarian cancer just months after joining the organization.
“Golf became my escape—a space where I could feel normal amidst the chaos of treatments,” Gonzalez said.
The women of CGG rallied around her, organizing meals, sending flowers and keeping Gonzalez engaged with weekly meetups and golf outings.
“It’s not just about golf; it’s about showing up for each other in every way possible,” she said.
“Golf is a sport of hope and resilience, and it takes a certain kind of determination for a woman to stick with it,” said Zamora. “That’s what unites our members.”
McIntee echoed this sentiment, noting that CGG is contributing to a broader cultural shift by creating pathways for women to enter the game.
“Golf is finally shedding its exclusivity, thanks to people like Ro who make the sport accessible and fun for everyone,” he said.
Zamora’s efforts caught the attention of Jason Looman, a sales representative at FootJoy, which supplies CGG with prizes for leagues and events.
“FootJoy is 100% trying to help CGG make golf friendlier for these ladies,” Looman said.
CGG and FootJoy launched a collaborative apparel line in fall of 2024. Proceeds from each custom-printed piece are used to fund the non-profit’s initiatives.
Zamora expanded CGG programming to include trivia nights, fitness classes and networking events. Clinics for female veterans, first responders and educators are offered free of charge, supported by sponsors and volunteers.
Several CGG members have taken on leadership roles, using their unique experiences to shape the organization’s future. Gonzalez, who is now cancer-free and CGG’s director of event operations and volunteers, is teaming up with Zamora to provide clinics for cancer patients.
With a mission firmly rooted in making golf more accessible for women and inspiring systemic change within the industry, Zamora and her team have big plans for growth.
“We want to challenge traditional norms and create a new standard where inclusivity is the default,” Zamora said.
She believes that CGG’s model can be replicated in other cities, fostering a national network of supportive communities for women golfers.
McIntee shares this vision, emphasizing the importance of sustainability.
“For CGG to thrive, it’s about more than just events. It’s about building a legacy that transforms how people see and experience golf,” he said.
As Zamora reflects on the journey, she is filled with gratitude.
“This is about so much more than golf. It’s about building something bigger than ourselves – a community where everyone feels they belong,” she said.
For the women of Chicago Golf Gals, the future is bright. With every swing, putt, laugh and cry shared on the course, the gals are not just playing golf – they are redefining it.
Lauren Withrow is a play-by-play host, reporter and content creator for the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour on ESPN and Golf Channel. A graduate of Northwestern Medill, Withrow also serves as a sideline reporter for Big Ten football on Chicago's WGN Radio 720. Withrow is an ambassador for the IJGA, First Tee - Greater Chicago and PlayYellow.
From Military Service to Golf Advocacy
Ro Zamora’s path to golf advocacy reflects a life shaped by service and leadership. Born in the Philippines, Zamora immigrated with her family to Naperville before starting high school. After graduating from Naperville North High School, Zamora enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving seven years as a unit supply specialist while earning her degree at Illinois State University.
Through her military career, which included both domestic and overseas deployments, Zamora gained a deep appreciation for discipline, structure and initiative, all while becoming adept at navigating male-dominated spaces. These skills now define Zamora’s leadership of Chicago Golf Gals (CGG).
Zamora’s leadership has earned praise from CGG members, who highlight her ability to delegate effectively while staying engaged and accessible. Her strategic approach, collaborative style and infectious energy have drawn support from corporate partners, including Troon, FootJoy, PXG and others.
In November 2024, Zamora was named one of Chicago Veterans’ “24 Veterans in 2024” for her work with CGG, which supports the health and wellness of active service members, veterans and first responders through partnerships with organizations like Wounded Warrior Project and Folds of Honor. Zamora’s career reflects a commitment to service, combining her military experience and passion for supporting others through impactful women’s golf programs.
—Lauren Withrow