Words by The R&A
Edited by Carnoustie Golf Links
Carnoustie Golf Links is delighted to be a part of the early success of The R&A’s new Women in Golf Charter.
The Links is one of 107 organisations across the world to have given their commitment to the Charter, pledging to build on current initiatives and develop new projects to increase the number of women, girls and families playing golf and becoming members of clubs, as well as giving women wider opportunities to enjoy careers and volunteering in the sport.
The Charter is part of The R&A’s drive to increase the number of women and girls participating in golf and to encourage more opportunities for women to work within the sport.
Women already play an integral role in the work that goes on at Carnoustie Golf Links – Pat Sawers was appointed as the first-ever female Chairman of CGLMC in 2014, Rebecca Tully joined Carnoustie in 2014 as the first female professional and Ailsa Roy is Carnoustie’s first female Caddie Master.
Launched last May in London, the Charter set out to inspire an industry-wide commitment to developing a more inclusive culture within golf globally. It is designed to encourage actions that enable more women and girls to flourish and maximise their potential within the golf industry at all levels.
These include national federations such as Golf Canada – which held its inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit last year linked to the staging of the CP Women’s Open – Golf Australia; New Zealand Golf; the Italian Golf Federation; England Golf; Scottish Golf; and Wales Golf.
Other organisations who have adopted the Charter include the PGA TOUR; the European Tour; the Ladies’ European Tour; the Professional Golfers’ Association; the Golf Foundation; the PGAs of Europe; the European Disabled Golf Association; the ANNIKA Foundation; IMG; VisitScotland and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf.
Mastercard, the official card of The Open, is also the first R&A Patron to sign up. Various other organisations offering their support include the Association of Golf Writers and GOLFNOW.
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We are encouraged by the number of organisations who have recognised the importance of the Charter for the sport and pledged their support.
“It is a positive start but we need an industry-wide commitment to the Charter and support for measures that will foster a more inclusive culture within the sport and enable women and girls to reach their full potential.”
While achieving the commitment of national federations and organisations was one of the first aims of the Charter, the process for clubs and regional bodies to sign up is also now gathering pace.
Conwy, which will stage the 2020 Curtis Cup in Wales, is the first golf club to sign up to the Charter.
Boldon, based in Tyne & Wear, is the first English club to sign, followed by commitments from Open venues Royal Portrush and St Andrews Links Trust.
Fulford, venue for the Girls Under 16 Amateur Championship, has also committed, along with The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Blairgowrie, North Berwick and Royal Dornoch.
“Gaining the support of national associations and organisations was the first phase of our plan,” added Slumbers. “We have also worked closely with them to collectively agree a process to support individual clubs in adopting the Charter and gain real momentum.
“The national body is the point of contact and will directly liaise with clubs in determining commitments to the Charter should a club wish to become a signatory.
“We would like national associations, with the involvement of clubs, to set targets for participation and membership as we look to increase the number of women, girls and families playing the sport.”