The Saturday morning competition for women have been reinstated from 19 February 2022 for all women members, with Saturday playing rights. The majority of our women membership favours the competition and the social aspect of playing together and finishing together. The tee times for women members alternate, the first week from 7am for 7 groups off the 10th tee and the following week to be from 8am for 7 groups off the 1st tee. As Saturday is a two tee start timesheet, it also provides men members favourable options to tee off on highly sought after tee times on Saturday mornings.
With the reinstation of the morning competitions, undeniably there were questions raised about women membership categories. We all understand that associate members pay considerably less than 7 day members therefore to be provided highly sought after tee times (block based on gender) on Saturday morning is always going to be a hot topic. It is our intention to eventually move all women members to be a full status member, not associates by definition, and it is my hope that we could achieve this soon. I understand that it's been on the cards for a while so I hope that we can get the ball rolling.
For our 7 day women members, currently opting to play in Saturday afternoon, we are canvassing for their interests in competitions, formats and prizes. As the number of members are low (<12), I am reminded that this is how most "business associates "in the past started on Saturday mornings, many years ago. Who knows - in the future, as needs of women changes in the golf landscape, Saturday afternoon may hold a bigger field. Time will tell.
I am also asked as to why women receive, what many may deem as preferential treatment for tee times, membership categories or competitions? We apply the same concept for our juniors. Women and juniors have different needs for their golf and membership, therefore we do need to consider it separately. As issues of equality will no doubt be a constant discussion, I encourage it as we celebrate diversity within our membership.
I am also taking this opportunity to advise that I will be off-site for the next two weeks, as I will be quarantining with my son, who will arrive from Melbourne on Saturday, 5 February.
