Inside the Club Issue 01: Leigh Redlus from River Bend Country Club

An editorial series created for members of Williams Athletic Club – Inside the Club is a monthly conversation with experts and insiders from in and around the world of golf.

Leigh Redlus buys women's apparel for River Bend Golf & Country Club in Great Falls, Virginia. She's watched the category change faster in the last five years than in the twenty before it. We asked her what she's seeing.

Five years of change

What's changed most since you took this on?

First, I love seeing how much women's golf has grown. And the clothing has come such a long way!

We're seeing so many great emerging brands that are really paying attention to fit, fabrics, and style.

I think the biggest change for me has been athleisure and lifestyle apparel becoming such an important part of the golf shop.

How has that changed the shop itself?

At River Bend, I've actually turned women's apparel into a destination category. When I first started bringing in lifestyle brands, I wasn't sure how they would do. Then I started seeing non-golfing members coming into the shop just to buy it. That's when I realized we had something special.

I have women coming into the golf shop who don't even play golf. They're coming in specifically to shop our lifestyle brands.

I think there's a huge opportunity for golf shops to capture business that would normally go to the mall or a boutique.

And it's shown up in the numbers.

We went from about $187,000 in women's apparel sales in 2023 to $315,000 in 2025. I'm really proud of that, but I also know we have to keep things fresh.

The golf shop at River Bend Golf & Country Club.

What she's seeing right now

What are women asking for?

I'm seeing women wanting the whole look now, not just coming in for a golf shirt or a skort. They want to be styled head to toe.

Boxier polos and wide-leg trousers are really popular. It's a much more relaxed look, but still polished.

I'm loving all the texture we're seeing, especially sherpa vests, corduroy quarter-zips, and different layering pieces.

The biggest thing for me is versatility. Women want to look great on the course, but they also want to wear those same pieces to lunch or out running errands.

That's changed the way I buy. I'm looking at how everything works together, not just whether I like an individual piece.

Does that look different around the country?

I think a lot depends on the climate and the culture of the club. Here in the Mid-Atlantic, we have four seasons, so layering is a big part of our business.

What's interesting is that I'm seeing the same lifestyle influence across so many golf collections. Everything is becoming a little more fashion-forward.

For me, it's really about knowing your membership. Just because something is trending doesn't necessarily mean it's going to work at your club.

Keeping it growing

What does it take to keep that going?

I'm always looking for that next great brand. I love going to the PGA Show and discovering something new that I think my members are going to love.

The relationships I've built with my members are so important. I know what they like, what fits them, and what they're willing to try.

Our trunk shows have been a huge part of our success. I love bringing in members who are influencers in their golf, tennis, or social groups. They get excited about a brand, and that excitement spreads.

We just did our first fashion show, River Bend Walks the Runway. We had 80 people attend and generated $17,000 in event sales. It was such a fun way to bring the golf and tennis ladies together.

I also think there's an opportunity for us to eventually offer e-commerce. Members love the convenience of shopping at the club, and I'd love to make that even easier.

The biggest thing is keeping the experience personal. That's what makes shopping at River Bend different.

What makes River Bend special

And the club itself?

Oh, it's definitely our members! They're incredibly supportive of the golf shop.

I love that they're willing to try new things. When I bring in a new brand, they're excited to come see it.

We have a really connected membership. The golf ladies, tennis ladies, and social members all talk to each other, and word spreads quickly when someone finds a great outfit.

And I have to mention our logo! We have such a great logo, and our members love wearing it. It makes the pieces feel special, because they can't just go out and buy them somewhere else.

For me, it's those relationships that make the club special. I love knowing my members and helping them find something they feel great wearing.

Why more women are playing

You're seeing more women take up the game.

I think women love the social side of golf. It's a great way to be outside, stay active, and spend time with friends.

I'm seeing more women wanting to play with their husbands or families, but also women who just want to get out and play with their girlfriends.

I think the women's leagues and clinics have made golf much more approachable.

And honestly, the golf clothes have gotten really cute! There's so much more variety now. You don't have to sacrifice style to play golf, and I think that makes the game even more appealing.

Dressing for fall

Any advice for members heading out in cooler weather?

For me, it's all about a great vest and a great pant. If you have those two pieces, you can build so many outfits around them.

I love layering, especially with some of the beautiful textures we're seeing this fall.

You want to stay warm, but you don't want to feel bulky when you're swinging a club.

I'm really liking the wide-leg pants paired with a cropped vest. It's such a great look.

I always tell members to buy things they can wear more than one way. If you can wear it on the course and then out to lunch, even better!

And since we were asking

We'd come for Leigh's expert opinion on everything else, so we asked for it on us too!

What makes Williams different from the other brands you see?

What I love about Williams is that the whole collection just feels so complete. Everything looks like it belongs together.

The fabrics are beautiful, the details are thoughtful, and there's this great balance between sporty and sophisticated.

I can put Williams on so many different women, across different age groups, and it just works. That's a really big deal when you're buying for a private club.

I also love that it's not just golf clothing. There are so many pieces you can wear throughout your day.

And personally, I feel amazing when I wear Williams. I know the product, I know how it fits, and I feel really confident recommending it to my members.

What are you reaching for?

Toni Pant. I absolutely love the Toni. It's one of those pieces I can wear on the golf course or just going about my day. It's comfortable, but it looks so polished. That's exactly what my members are looking for right now. It's such an easy pant to style with different tops and layering pieces.

Luna Cropped Vest. Another favorite. It looks great with everything! I love the cropped silhouette, especially paired with the Toni. It's one of those pieces that can really pull an entire outfit together.

Amelie Hoodie. I honestly think the Amelie is one of the most polished hoodies out there. It doesn't look like your typical sweatshirt. It has that elevated, finished look that makes it so versatile. I could wear it to the club, traveling, or out to lunch.

Thank you Leigh Redlus for sharing your insights and expertise with our members!

We will see you again next month for Issue 02 of Inside the Club.