A Safe Space for Women Learning Golf: Introducing Cottage Golf

In the heart of Beaverton’s Old Town, Kat Gerrish has created a cozy haven for golfers of all skill levels while bridging gender barriers in a typically male-dominated space.

Kat learned golf as a child on the Oregon Coast, and it stuck with her ever since. She’d go on to play at Beaverton High School and took it more seriously while attending Santa Clara University. Kat moved back to Oregon in her 30’s, started playing amateur golf events and decided to create a safe space for women to get more involved in golf.

“I think a lot of women get intimidated by golf. They go to a course, and they’re like, oh my god, there are dudes everywhere. And I don’t even know what to ask. So they just turn around, and they never even walk in the door.”

She went through the PGA process to become a teaching professional, took advantage of some space she had during a construction project with her husband and started Cottage Golf.

The response was almost immediate.

She made Cottage Golf an inviting space where there are no pretensions around the game, and people of all skill levels can meet their needs. Its ethos is that golf should be available to everyone at all times. “We’re not trying to make everyone a scratch golfer. We’re trying to get everybody to a place where they can enjoy golf to the fullest. So let’s get them to the point where they’re competitive at the level they want to be.”

The studio is outfitted with the latest in Trackman Golf Simulator technology, so if people want to go deep into the analytics and hone their game at a high level, they can do that. There are also dedicated areas to lounge, chat, and relax.

Many of her clients come at a transitional point in their lives to find community and connection and want to either rediscover their love of golf or dive into it for the first time. It’s been deeply satisfying for Kat to see its impact on their lives.

While Kat envisioned it as a space welcoming to women, it’s open to all. She has plenty of male clients who love her services.

And did someone say Mahjong? Kat is also an avid lover and player of Mahjong and teaches lessons for that at the studio, too!

For those who are excited to try golf but don’t know where to start, Kat says to just bring an open mind and comfortable clothes to Cottage.

Cottage is located at 12395 SW Broadway St. #150. Visit www.cottagegolfstudio.com . Learn about the BDA at www.downtownbeaverton.org