R&A vows to ‘change culture’
Golf is “flat” and must “fundamentally change its culture” or “suffer the consequences”. That was the stark message from Martin Slumbers, the R&A chief executive, as the governing body finally admitted its historical shortcomings in attracting women to the sport.
The R&A’S launch of a Women In Golf charter will be seen as a remarkable about-face for anyone with a short memory. Only five years ago, Peter Dawson, then chief executive, declared the body would not “bully” clubs such as Muirfield into altering their male-only policy.
A few years later, the R&A did exactly that when informing Muirfield and any other club wishing to host the Open that they would not be considered unless female members were permitted. That was viewed as an important milestone and Slumbers’ comments at the event held at the Shard in London yesterday will be seen as another.
Promising to invest £80million in women’s golf over the next 10 years, Slumbers vowed to enter “difficult conversations” and to make the R&A “modern and relevant”. “Doing nothing is not an option,” Slumbers, who replaced Dawson three years ago, said. “The majority of clubs are struggling because their product is aimed at a target market which is shrinking. At best, we are flat and that has to change. When you look at raw statistics, it is women who bring children to play, not men.”
The charter aims to increase the number of females playing and working in the game and the European Tour and Ladies European Tour have committed to it, along with the golf unions of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Figures show a 7.9 per cent drop in registered golfers in the UK since 2012 and female and junior golfers have been identified as key.
Adoption of the charter requires national federations and other bodies to develop initiatives. The charter also wants to set individual targets for national associations in terms of participation and membership, with annual progress reports.
“We recognise the need for a fundamental shift in culture,” Slumbers said. “It is a huge opportunity, but we have to change fast. If we don’t, then we will suffer the consequences.”
Meanwhile, this week’s US Women’s Open has been thrown into disarray after the Shoal Creek course was closed due to flooding. If the Alabama layout remains shut today, the majority of the 156 players in the field could start the tournament without a practice round.