Women in Pittsburgh: Jan Receski Promotes The Power of Golf at OnPar Now

By Layla Joseph

Taking a leap of faith is always challenging, especially when you're content with where you currently are. 

Jan Receski left a job she held in corporate America for 30 years before deciding to open a business of her own. 

Living in Pittsburgh has impacted Receski on a professional and personal level. She said the energy in Pittsburgh and, specifically, the Strip District remains exciting after all these years, and the connections she made in Pittsburgh have added a great deal of dimension to her life. 

Originally from Indiana, Pa., Receski came to Pittsburgh for work and stayed to build her life after earning her bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). 

To attain her degree at IUP, Receski needed to complete a physical education requirement. That's when she picked up a club for the first time, and that drive has continued to launch her further into her second career. 

A mother to twin sons and a long-time employee at The Hillman Company, Receski is no stranger to hard work. Through her time at The Hillman Company, she learned corporate law, polished her people skills and realized how important the game of golf was in a corporate environment. 

Since she left the corporate world, Receski wanted to take a swing at something she always enjoyed while inspiring and empowering players of all skill levels, and that's when she decided to open OnPar Now. 

Her health, work ethic, positivity and stamina allowed her to give what was needed to create a successful start-up.

“Most people my age are thinking of retiring to the beach,” she said with a smile. “I did the opposite.” 

In 2020, Receski started creating OnPar Now: a premier indoor golf space with state-of-the-art equipment and simulators, training clinics and certified professionals located in the Strip District’s Terminal. 

Receski said she was perfectly happy with her corporate job; it gave her security and she was involved in interesting projects. However, she saw a need for women to have a space to learn and play the game and knew she could do something to meet that need. 

Opening a business in the midst of the global pandemic came with its hardships. Receski said COVID was in full force when she started to do the build-out, leading to delayed construction and material shortages. 

“One thing we all learned (during the pandemic) was that if we didn’t support local companies and organizations, they would go out of business. Having the support of the local community is key to survival and so appreciated,” she said. 

After the height of the pandemic began to calm down, Receski adjusted her grip and kept her eye on the ball. 

Golf is, historically, a male-dominated sport. According to Forbes, 77% of golfers are male, and some golf courses even confine women to play on certain days, times and holes. 

According to Cambridge Dictionary, “on par” means “equal to,” and according to Receski, the time to start golfing is now. OnPar Now is open to everyone, but Receski's goal in opening the establishment was to promote inclusivity within the game while empowering and inspiring new and current players.

“I wanted a space that was welcoming to all, but especially welcoming to females. A place where they wouldn’t feel intimidated,” she said. “There is a huge need that a lot of people recognize.”

CBS News reports that more than 70% of Fortune 1000 CEOs have done business with someone they met on the golf course, and an additional 80% of Fortune 500 executives said golf has helped further their careers. 

“I have always said, second to education, golf is the most important tool you can have in your tool belt. It opens so many doors,” Receski said. 

“The relationships, personal and business, that it fosters are huge. What motivates me is to help, especially females, embrace the sport.”

Unlike other sports with gender barriers, like football, softball and even soccer, golf is a sport that allows opponents from opposite genders because the player’s most significant opponent is themself.

“You have all this time to address the ball and get in your own head,” she said. “You can have a great shot; the smallest tweak makes the biggest difference. It’s challenging. You are playing against yourself, and you’re playing against the course.”

Receski said anyone can hit the course with a bit of instruction, commitment to meaningful practice, and a good understanding of terminology and etiquette. 

“Pace of play is key,” she said.

By teaching golf to new players, OnPar Now is giving people a valuable skill that introduces opportunities that may otherwise go unnoticed. 

“We are here to help everyone embrace this fun, healthy, ageless activity,” Receski said. “I hope I can help people be their best self and give them the opportunity to play.”