Henderson to talk golf at Women’s Day event
She can legitimately — at the age of 20 — be counted as one of Canada’s sports superstars.
Ontario’s Brooke Henderson won her first professional golf tournament at age 18. She is already second in Canadian history with six LPGA wins, two behind Sandra Post’s eight, and has 50 amateur wins to her name as well. She’s been named Canada’s female athlete of the year twice and has represented her country at the Olympics.
“I’ve loved this sport since I first picked up a club when I was little, following my dad and sister around out on the golf course and trying to keep up with them,” says Henderson, who will be a guest of honour at the Shaw Charity Classic at this year’s Blakes Women’s Day, sponsored by the law firm formerly known as Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.
The sold-out event at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club on Monday, presented by RBC, includes either nine holes of golf or a golf clinic with a PGA Tour Champions professional. The fireside lunch and chat with Henderson is part of the Shaw Charity Classic’s stated intention of growing the game of golf.
The young woman from Smith Falls, Ont. — who was also a talented hockey goalie — developed her love of the game into a career. In an email interview she says her message at the Women’s Day event, and to young people she comes into contact with, is to just have fun.
“I grew up playing the game as exactly that, a game. Challenge yourself with different ways to get better and improve, but never lose sight of the fact that it is a game. Even though it is my profession and how I earn my living, I still try to keep that in mind every single day I go out and tee it up.”
It is important to remember the hardest part of playing golf well, for anyone, is consistency, she says.
“If consistency is a problem for me, who plays every single day for eight to 10 hours, it is hard to expect that you’re going to hit the ball exactly the way you want every time when you only play a few times a week, month, or year.”
Henderson describes golf as the “ultimate personal challenge,” both mentally and physically grinding.
“Everyone has the ability to hit one great shot, but can they do it over 18 holes? Seventy-two holes? When the pressure is on? It’s a constant battle against one’s self.”
Asked why women have been slower to join the game, Henderson says there is not one specific reason but cites the sport’s tradition as a ‘gentleman’s game,’ particularly with private clubs women weren’t allowed to join.
“I really do think it has changed over the past few years, with more inclusive golf clubs and companies making an effort to attract females to the game.”
Event’s such as Calgary’s Women’s Day can only help, she says.
“I have seen more and more women, especially young girls, pick up the game over the past few years. I see little girls every week with their PING visors on, practising their swings outside the ropes or waiting in line to get autographs, and it gives me a ton of hope that the stigma has changed.”