[PHOTO: Cody Richardson]
The number of Australian golf clubs to become signatories of the R&A Women in Golf Charter, fostering change and promoting equal opportunities for women, girls, and families, has officially hit the 100 mark.
Pacific Golf Club in Brisbane, the milestone-setting club, hosted a special ceremony on Tuesday to recognise the achievement with Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland and the R&A’s director of golf education Jackie Davidson among the guests.
Clubs across Australia have pledged their allegiance to the charter, which supports increased participation and leadership for women and girls in golf while also supporting the clubs to become the best version of themselves.
Australia’s first signatory came in 2021, with the 50th club officially committing to the charter almost one year ago to the day.
Strength is in numbers and 100 is a milestone worth celebrating, as well as an extremely positive sign for Australian golf that its clubs are engaged with the concept and showing intent to change the industry for the better.
At the 100th signing ceremony, Davidson spoke of the encouraging uptake that has occurred globally, with more than 1,300 R&A Charter signatories around the world.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank Golf Australia for their continued commitment to the Women in Golf Charter, but also to the golf clubs who are the champions at the grass roots of the sport in Australia,” she said. “Thank you for creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and encourages people to become lifelong golfers.
“The Women in Golf Charter has really galvanised the golf industry around a shared vision for golf and driven change. Since 2018 we have seen [more than] 1,300 organisations in 75 countries, including Australia make their commitment to the Charter and the development of women and girls’ golf.
“We are already seeing the benefits of this in golf participation numbers around the world, a trend that The R&A and all signatories have a responsibility towards continuing.”
Launched six years ago, the Women in Golf Charter outlines that signatories will pledge to:
• Develop and implement an internal strategy for enhancing gender balance at every level.
• Establish senior management responsibility and accountability for gender balance and inclusion.
• Strongly advocate for more women and girls playing and working in golf.
• Work with key stakeholders to develop and embed a more inclusive culture.
• Promote the Charter and the goal of encouraging more women and girls to play golf and work in golf.
Reflecting positively on the past three years and the new milestone number, acting head of clubs and facilities for Golf Australia, Megan Carr, noted the real change occurring in the clubs as the major takeaway, while knowing there will be more clubs to join the 100 in the near future.
“We had 50 as a guide when we first adopted the charter, so to see that number double in the past year is extremely positive,” she said. “While this milestone is worthy of recognition and celebration, the visible and tangible change that we have seen in Australian clubs and facilities off the back of signing this charter is the real hero.”
While Pacific is the 100th traditional golf club to become a signatory, across the entire clubs and facilities network, which includes simulator centres, management companies and golf districts, Australia has a total of 105 signatories across all areas of golf, with the range of commitments particularly encouraging for Australian golf.
Signatories extend from the city centres to remote regional clubs, and include a variety from well-established golf clubs to new simulator centres.
In addition to the many clubs and facilities, Greenspace Management became the first off-course provider globally to become a signatory to the charter late last year in a significant commitment by the group which manages four golf courses and four mini-golf facilities.
“Our country boasts numerous clubs and facilities that are fostering positive cultural change in the sport,” Carr said.
“This has led to increased participation and access for women and girls, aligning with our goal of future-proofing golf for all.”
R&A CHARTER SIGNATORIES
NATIONAL: Greenspace Management
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: Fairbairn Golf Club
Murrumbidgee Country Club
Royal Canberra Golf Club
NEW SOUTH WALES: Bathurst Golf Club
Bayview Golf Club
Dunheved Golf Club
Eastlake Golf Club
Newcastle Golf Club
Rich River Golf Club
Roseville Golf Club
Springwood Country Club
Wakehurst Golf Club
NORTHERN TERRITORY: Gove Country Golf Club
QUEENSLAND: Babinda Golf Club
Brisbane Golf Club
Half Moon Bay Golf Club
Hervey Bay Golf Club
Keperra Country Golf Club
Maroochy River Golf Club
McLeod Country Golf Club
Nudgee Golf Club
Pacific Golf Club
Redland Bay Golf Club
Royal Queensland Golf Club
Southport Golf Club
Tamborine Mountain Golf Club
Townsville Golf Club
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Blackwood Golf Club
Copperclub at The Dunes Port Hughes Golf Club
Glenelg Golf Club
Kooyonga Golf Club
North Adelaide Golf Course & North Adelaide Golf Club
Mount Osmond Golf Club
South Lakes Golf Club
The Grange Golf Club
TASMANIA: Bridport Golf Club
Claremont Golf Club
Devonport Country Club
Freycinet Golf Club
Huon Valley Golf Club
Kingston Beach Golf Club
Launceston Golf Club
Llanherene Golf Club
Longford Golf Club
Mowbray Golf Club
New Town Bay Golf Club
North West Beach Golf Club
Pittwater Golf Club
Richmond Golf Club
Riverside Golf Club
Royal Hobart Golf Club
Swansea Golf Club
Tasmania Golf Club
Ulverstone Golf Club
VICTORIA: Albert Park Women’s Golf Club
Barwon Valley Golf Club
Benalla Golf Club
Big Swing Golf Kew
Buninyong Golf Club
Commonwealth Golf Club
Cobram-Barooga Golf Club
Curlewis Golf Club
Devilbend Golf Club
East Geelong Golf Club
Eastern Golf Club
Eastwood Golf Club
Flinders Golf Club
Green Acres Golf Club
Golf West Gippsland
Hamilton Golf Club
Hidden Valley Golf Club
Horsham Golf Club
Huntingdale Golf Club
Keysborough Golf Club
Lonsdale Links
Leongatha Golf Club
Medway Golf Club
Meeniyan Golf Club
Merbein Golf Club
Metropolitan Golf Club
Neangar Park Golf Club
Northern Golf Club
Portarlington Golf Club
Romsey Golf Club
Rutherglen Golf Club
Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club
Shepparton Golf Club
Southern Golf Club
The Dunes Golf Links
The National Golf Club
Thirteenth Beach Golf Links
Tocumwal Golf & Bowls Club
Torquay Golf Club
Trafalgar Golf Club
Warrnambool Golf Club
Western District Golf Association
Woodlands Golf Club
Yarra Yarra Golf Club
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Busselton Golf Club
Exmouth Golf Club
Gosnells Golf Club
Lakelands Golf Club
Mount Lawley Golf Club
Sun City Golf Club
The Vines Golf & Country Club
