The Popularity of
Women's Golf
Women have been involved in the game of golf for
quite a long time. Mary Queen of Scots was playing
in the 1500’s which helped to improve golf’s
popularity. She even created a few new rules! It’s
nothing new to see a few women on the greens. What
is new is how many women are now taking to the
course.
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David Drummond,
Managing Director of massive technology corporation
Acer, estimates that 2 million women in Europe are
“registered” golfers. In February 2005, the Acer
group began sponsorship of the Acer Women’s World
Cup of Golf in South Africa. This company believes
that women’s golf is an area that is ripe for
exponential growth and feels that their sponsorship
money is well spent. In 2005 the National Golf
Association estimated that 41% of the nation’s
golfers are women and that two and a half million
women spend as much time and money on the game of
golf as do men. |
Golf is gaining in popularity all
over the world and one interesting area of growth in
women’s golf is in Iran. The only golf course in
Iran, the Enghelab Sports Complex, reports that
nearly half of its 300 plus members are women. In
2005, Iran held its first Muslim Women Golf
Tournament with seven countries sending women
golfers. Golf is a great sport for women all over
the world.
Tons of organizations are popping up whose sole
purpose is to support and promote women golfers.
One example of this is the Executive Women’s Golf
Association. The EWGA has multiple chapters in 40
different states and “exists to provide
opportunities for women to learn, play, and enjoy
the game of golf for business and for life.” They
offer to benefits such as discounts on golf courses,
equipment, and more to their members. Many other
groups focus on women using golf to break into
business opportunities believed to not otherwise be
available to them. Golf and business go well
together and being able to play a decent game of
golf can help to level the playing field for women
in business. These organizations offer golf tips
and ideas of ways to incorporate golf into your
business deals.
It
is obvious by the growth that women’s golf has seen
that this is a sport that is enjoyable for both
genders. There are now very few courses and
tournaments worldwide that only allow men to play.
Equality is beginning to come onto the golf course.
Golf has long been known as a refined and well
mannered sport but as women continue to take their
places on the green it is no longer known as “a
gentlemen’s game.” |
