Busselton Golf Club has become the fourth WA signatory to the Women in Golf Charter – and is the first regional WA club to join the global initiative.
The Charter, developed by the R&A and endorsed by GolfWA, outlines a set of principles that signatories commit to implementing in order to promote gender equality in golf. These include measures to encourage more women and girls to play golf, improve access to facilities and coaching, and create more opportunities for women to work in the golf industry, including in leadership roles.
Busselton follows Gosnells, Lakelands and Sun City in becoming a charter signatory, and Office Manager Jude Hood believes the process is an important step for clubs in changing perceptions of what golf is all about.
“For us, signing up to the Charter was a bit of a no-brainer,” she said. “We want to encourage people to come and play here and we want to be seen as a club that is proactive and welcoming to everybody.
“Like it or not, there is a perception that golf clubs aren’t necessarily welcoming environments to new or potential members. While that’s usually not true, becoming a Charter signatory is a very public statement of our intention to provide a welcoming environment for everybody – with women and girls central to that.”
Swift success for new initiatives
Working closely with Golf Australia, Busselton developed a Women & Girls action plan, which has already seen a number of key initiatives undertaken.
From next year, their women’s club championships will be moved from their traditional weekday slot to a multi-day format to enable more working women and students to participate. Existing women members will also act as on-course mentors to newcomers who may feel intimidated taking the step into competitive golf.
The club has also introduced a new series of beginners’ clinics for women, the first wave of which in October swiftly sold out after being promoted on social media channels.
“The response we had to the clinics was incredible,” Jude said. “We scheduled them on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to offer as much choice as possible, with women signing up for four weekly 90-minute lessons. We had 86 registrations in the space of 24 hours.”
Participants in the ‘Swing & Sip’ clinic in October
Jude believes that part of the appeal of the clinics was the accessible nature of the advertising. “We marketed the clinics as ‘Swing and Sip’, with attendees invited to enjoy a sociable drink with their fellow participants at the end of each lesson,” she explained. “That worked very well and helped create an immediate environment of fun and friendship.”
Due to popular demand, a second series of ‘Swing and Sip’ is scheduled throughout November, with women from as far afield as Bunbury, Dunsborough and Margaret River making the trek to Busselton to join in the fun.
In order to keep participants keen, those who attend lessons are able to take up a special three-month membership deal for just $199 and are provided golfing goodie bags that include tees, balls, markers and coffee vouchers.
“We don’t have a huge number of women members here, but we’re very encouraged by the response to the clinics,” Jude said. “There’s clearly a lot of untapped interest in golf out there and we’re doing our very best to make sure those that come here thoroughly enjoy the experience.”
Could your club follow suit?
WA clubs looking to become signatories of the Women in Golf Charter will work with Golf Australia and GolfWA to develop a tailored action plan that supports the specific needs of each club and its members.
To express your club’s interest in becoming a signatory to the R&A Women in Golf Charter, complete the expression of interest form online or contact GolfWA Chief Executive Gary Thomas on 08 9367 2490.
