Online MBA, M.S. Grad and Entrepreneur Proves “Golf Is Not a Club” With Chic Brand of Women’s Golf Attire

While volunteering at a golf tournament almost 20 years ago, Vicki Vasil ’97 (NEW), '20 MBA, ’21 M.S., was excited about the event but not thrilled with what she had to wear— unflattering khakis and a polo shirt. This got her thinking that there had to be women’s apparel that was suitable to play golf in but also fashion-forward with a little “edge” and fun to wear. At the time, she kept this idea of  “Vicki’s version” of a golf outfit in her head but was concentrating on furthering her career.  

Today, Vasil has said goodbye to skorts and shapeless menswear and hello to jumpsuits, “unpolo” shirts, chic bucket hats and other unique pieces with her brand, Vees, that merges a “west coast surf-skate-street style” with what some women want when they hit the links—or anywhere else for that matter. The pieces still follow LPGA rules but also have style, movement, adequate coverage and a democracy of fit for a greater range of body types, as well as a luxe feel and materials from tree-based fibers.

Launching Vees didn’t happen overnight. It was an idea that stuck with her as she pursued a career in marketing and brand management in the sports and outdoor clothing space. In 2014, she relocated to Portland, Oregon, for her “dream job” at Nikita Clothing, a refreshed brand of snowboarding and streetwear created by women, for women, and has since made the West Coast home. In 2017, she joined Nau International, the first major apparel company built for sustainability from scratch, and it was there that she decided to pursue her MBA.

“As I advanced in my career, I wanted to better hold my own at the leadership table and better defend my piece of the business,” she explains. “I wanted equity—especially as a woman, and I also wanted to balance my creativity with my business chops,” she says, “So, I looked to my alma mater, Syracuse University, and discovered that the flexibility of Whitman’s online MBA program might make it possible for me.”

She enrolled at Whitman and began her MBA online. In the spring of 2020, the pandemic hit, and Vasil was laid off. However, she was able to complete her MBA in May of 2020 and was determined to use her entrepreneurial mindset in whatever her next steps would be. During the pandemic, she started playing a lot of golf, which again got her thinking about her idea for women’s streetwear. But, this time she had the career experience and business savvy—not to mention an MBA— to market and manage a clothing line and make it successful.

Whitman’s Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice and Deputy Department Chair of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE) John Torrens was a major influence on Vasil, encouraging her to create the “dream team” she needed to make her idea happen. And, Whitman’s other resources helped her clearly define what she wanted to achieve, so much so that she started her Capstone project over to create a concrete business plan for Vees. She also placed in two Orange Tank competitions, which she says helped her sharpen her pitch and complete a solid business plan. Vasil was so pleased with her experience at Whitman that she went on to earn an online master’s degree in business analytics, too.

In 2021, she soft launched Vees to family and friends and started building social media and web content for a test and learn period. Things were moving ahead when she was offered a contract position in brand strategy at Nike, where she continues to work full time. Still, she remains committed to moving Vees forward.

“Vees is ahead of the curve. “There’s no rush to market. If the business plan can double in sales every year, in five years, we’ll be a million dollar company,” she explains. “My strategy has always been to create something unique in the marketplace and look for opportunities to pivot the business depending on how it is received. I’m nurturing it slowly, and I’m OK with that because I want to remain in control and minimize my financial risk.”

As more Millennials and GenZers take up golf, Vasil is excited for the future. With her professional experience, along with two master’s degrees from the Whitman School, she is confident that Vees will soon be a hole-in-one for women headed to the course.

“Golf is not a club. It’s not a country club. It’s not a boys’ club, and it’s not even a ladies’ club,” she explains. “It’s a fun sport, and I want women who love golf to go grab a bucket of balls, have a good time—and look and feel great doing it.”

By Caroline K. Reff