Exmouth Golf Club has become the latest WA club to sign up to the R&A’s Women in Golf Charter.
Situated in the Gascoyne Region, Exmouth becomes the seventh WA club – and just the second regional club – to become a Charter signatory, following the example of Gosnells, Busselton, Sun City, Lakelands, The Vines Resort and Mount Lawley.
The Charter outlines a set of principles 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.
For some clubs, this can involve a lengthy process of developing a Women & Girls action plan in conjunction with Golf Australia and GolfWA. It was much more straightforward for Exmouth GC, however, who found that their long-term commitment to equality at the club made for a very smooth process.
“We have always had a unified approach to golf at the club, with men and women playing side by side. It’s an integral part of the club’s ethos,” said Exmouth GC Secretary Mandy Francis-Maier.
“When the Committee reviewed the questions that needed to be answered to submit an Expression of Interest to Golf Australia to become a Charter signatory, we found we were already fully compliant in terms of how the club operates and how our events are run.
“Instead, our Women & Girls action plan has more of a focus on improving club governance and developing participation strategies – such as our series of beginners’ clinics for which the majority of people signing up are women.
“We hope that initiatives like this will help us increase the number of women members at Exmouth GC and move us towards a more equal male/female membership balance.”
Exmouth GC members celebrating the club’s annual Pink Day in May
Mandy says she has no hesitation in recommending other clubs look to become Charter signatories themselves. “It’s a great opportunity to increase the number of women members,” she said. “Capitalising on this will continue to grow the sport and increase participation at a local club level.
“It is also important to recognise the significant contributions that many women make to the running of golf clubs, especially in country regions. It’s the way we’ve always operated at Exmouth GC, but for other clubs it is an opportunity to change their outlook and perhaps gain from a more modern approach.”
Exmouth GC’s commitment to women’s golf was further recognised in their being awarded the Event of the Year prize at the annual Shire Community Awards for their staging of the Ladies’ Pilbara Open last July.
Could your club be next?
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.
