Torquay Golf Club praised for Women in Golf accreditation

Female golfers have had numerous highlights in 2022, including winning the women's SWGA Div 1 pennant.

TORQUAY Golf Club has been internationally recognised by Golf Australia and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St Andrews, United Kingdom as a Women in Golf friendly club, acknowledging the impact of female players across the region.

Club committee member Gail Rooney was a major driving force behind the club’s process for accreditation, which that club president Peter Oliver feels will attract more women to the course.

“Historically I suppose, golf has been seen as a male dominated, semi-exclusive sort of sport, which is definitely isn’t,” Mr Oliver said.

“We have structured our operations so that we are gender neutral in that everyone was treated the same. With that though came guaranteeing women’s only golf on Tuesday morning, so that female newcomers to golf could play without men in the field and hone in on the basics.”

“We’ve eliminated “men only” days and we are currently in the process of re-shuffling our committee so the women in the club have a greater say of what goes on around it.”

Torquay Golf Club has been accredited by The Royal & Ancient Golf Club as a “Women in Golf” friendly Club.

“All of this led to us being accredited as a Women in Golf friendly club and we hope more women join us in the future as a result.”

Over 1,000 organisations across the world have signed up and committed to joining The Royal and Ancient Golf Club’s Women in Golf Charter, breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive culture within golf.

Among the committee’s reshuffle has been the introduction of Sue Barnes as the club’s first female vice-president, a landmark moment for the president and the club.

“We think it’s very significant for the club, because it’s saying to the ladies of our club that change is on the way and we want women to put their hand up for committee positions in how the club is run,” Mr Oliver added.

“Gail and Sue have been instrumental in showing that we’re fair dinkum in trying to make things better around the club and as inclusive as possible.”

Recent inclusions to the charter across the region include Thirteenth Beach Golf Club, Curlewis Golf Club, Lonsdale Links and Barwon Valley Golf Club.