By Jack Turnbull
Women’s sport in Dorset is seeing a positive increase thanks to campaigns and initiatives, BCP Council leader Millie Earl suggests.
Earl said: “One example of great engagement with golf that I’ve seen locally is the ’Girls That Golf’ networking session held at Iford Golf Centre.”
“I attended a session over the summer, and it was fantastic to see women not only participating in golf but meeting other women who are all growing their businesses.”
BCP Council own a number of golf courses across the area and operate the golf course at Queen’s Park.
Earl said: “The golf course has long been a place where business is ‘done’ and extending that to women and empowering them is wonderful to see.”
Emily Furniss is the Club Operations Assistant at Ferndown Golf Club.
Furniss said: “I feel strongly about getting more of us into the game and keeping us in it.”
“Trying to approach younger girls in primary schools is a good place to start and providing golf in a way that isn’t your stereotypical way to play golf.”
She has previously played for the England development squad for golf, and is currently part of the ladies section at Ferndown.
Furniss said: “You have people playing in their 70s and retired going against a 17-year-old.”
Ladies Captain of Ashley Wood Golf Club Sue Smart said: “We have good youngsters in our junior section and then hardly any ladies until up to retirement age.”
Ashley Wood Golf Club are one of the clubs trying to make a change.
They hosted a coffee morning for previous female members to meet current members to raise money for charity.
Smart said: “I think the main problem is that golf takes a lot of time, it’s a good 4–5-hour round and it takes up most of the day.”
Club vice-captain Ann Thornton said: “Traditionally the coffee morning is used to advertise the club, however I’d say I’m one of the youngest ladies and I’m 60.”
Ashley Wood has around 650 playing members this year and only 10-15% of them are female.
Squash the gender gap