Golf administrators hope a new set of guidelines for making the sport more inclusive will be a "good kick up the backside" for clubs which have ignored the push for greater participation by women and girls.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The capital will host its second major women's tournament in a week when the Women's NSW Open begins at the Queanbeyan Golf Club on Thursday morning, following the Canberra Classic at Royal Canberra.
Golf Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission detailed its program to reduce sex discrimination at clubs, warning clubs could face legal action if they don't provide equal access to courses.
Former professional Karen Lunn, who is the Australian Ladies Professional Golf chief executive, hoped the document would help fast-track a "Vision 2025" strategy, which aims to increase female participation.
"We go to some really progressive-thinking clubs and we see the ones that are doing OK, they're the ones who are thinking long term," Lunn said.
"But you go to places where the model they have and the age demographic, male centric - I hate to say it - pale, male and stale. It's much needed and it will give people a good kick up the backside.
"They know they have to make changes now otherwise they're going to be in trouble ... I dare to say some clubs are stuck in the 1980s and need a push.
"We know the stats and that only 20 per cent of women are members of club and 20 per cent are members of clubs. The number of girls playing has dropped dramatically. Hopefully this initiative, combined with Vision 2025, is coming at the right time for women's golf."
The golf equality guidelines come as the AIS and Sport Australia prepare to launch a gender diversity program on Thursday, with 33 women being inducted into a leadership program to create greater diversity in sport.
The AIS-driven program was launched last year and it a host of talented Canberra women are expected to be part of the initial intake aimed at addressing the under representation of female sports executive and coaches.
Golf clubs around Canberra will now have to scrap men's-only competition days, although some have already done so. There has already been a concerted push at some of the capital's courses to be more inclusive to maximise participation in competitions.
The Queanbeyan Golf Club, which will host its first NSW Open over the next four days, has a female club captain and treasurer, and members have access to all amenities and tee times. There will be 170 volunteers at the NSW Open and almost 45 per cent will be women.
"[The gender equality publication] has been a long-time coming. A lot of our clubs, it's fair to say, has been slow to react in that space," said Golf NSW chief executive Stuart Fraser.
"Women are critical to the survival of golf clubs. They're an integral part as players and administration. We're starting to see more and more female board representation. It's slowly changing and it needed to.
"We've been working with clubs over the last five years to make them aware. The stumbling block for a lot has been old constitutions. This report will give us the impetus to give a prod to those have been slow."
Fraser was excited to see the field start the four-day tournament at Queanbeyan, with defending champion Meghan MacLaren ready to chase back to back titles.
"This is an international event, we've got more than 100 internationals in the field. The Queanbeyan club has done a fantastic job, the greens are pure so the scoring should be good," Fraser said.
WOMEN'S NSW OPEN
Thursday-Sunday: Play from 7.30am in round one. Entry to the course is free.
