The opportunity to socialize; an outing; the chance to meet the women behind the phone calls and e-mails; the women's OTS golf tournament is held every year in recognition of the females in the oil field industry. "This is our 13th year. It came about when some of the members of the OTS men's team recommended that the women start our own, so we decided to get going with that."Basically it's a networking type of tournament for women who work in the oil-field industry to get to know one another, and put names to faces. So many of these people that we work with and talk to don't get to really see each other," said Cindy Romanyk, Enbridge employee and an organizer for the event. "I think it's important because so many of us work in the offices and don't get out to meet the other women, I mean we talk to them over the phone and stuff like that, but as far as actually getting out and meeting people we don't, because that's just not our job," said Tanya George, also an organizer for the event. It's a Texas scramble, 18-hole golf tournament where 144 women are welcome to join. So far about 120 spots have been filled and although the deadline was June 28, George said she will be accepting applicants until the beginning of next week. "We are getting close to full, so if anybody is thinking about it, give us a call. If they want to golf they have to get their names in," said George. For George the tournament broadens her social circle and allows the women who work with one another every day to finally meet and greet. "It just gives you a broader spectrum of people that you know, and I just enjoy meeting people. You know, working in an office all day you don't really have a lot of social interaction with outside companies," she said. As for feedback, both Romanyk and George agree the women are very much appreciative of the event."Very well, there are a lot of women in the oil industry that do golf in it, and I think from what I can tell they've been having a good time and it's a fun way to get out and socialize and get to know one another. I think overall it's been a positive function," said Romanyk. "The way the women have fun is the main thing. They really appreciate us going through all the work to put this together and put it on for them," said George. Working in a male dominated industry, Romanyk and George said there may not be as many event opportunities for the women."There seems to be not as many opportunities for the women to get out and network and socialize, so I think this is a really good way to promote women within the industry," said Romanyk."I guess the men's is bigger because there are more men working in this industry than women. It's just a male dominate industry."It's great, the guys are great with us and really supportive of us," said George.Romanyk said the balance of women and men in the office is stable and she could not be happier with her 16 years of employment at Enbridge.The tournament takes place Friday, July 16 at the Woodlawn Golf Course. Dinner and prizes are to be looked forward to after the tournament.
