A sport for all

Golf has so many great things going for it – from the challenge of competition to the warmth of social interaction – but for me the fact the handicapping system and various teeing grounds mean golfers of different genders, ages and abilities can play against each other is perhaps its most enduring quality. I cannot think of another sport that has the ability to transcend so many variables.

The only shame is that this natural advantage isn’t taken advantage of often enough. However, times are changing and I was delighted to see the announcement of another tournament that brings together male and female pros to compete for the same trophy and prize fund.

The idea was first debuted at the Jordan Mixed Open this year, but the Scandinavian Mixed tournament, which will be played next June at the stunning Bro Hof Slott golf course outside Stockholm, looks to be taking things to the next level. The event is being jointly hosted by Annika Sorenstam and Henrik Stenson and some of the big names from the men’s and ladies’ tours are expected to play. I hope it’s a great success and acts as a springboard for more top-level mixed events. Who knows, one day we might see a mixed Ryder Cup. I think that would be superb.

That positive story for golf was in stark contrast to one that surfaced a week later, when it emerged the ladies’ section of Thonock Park GC in Lincolnshire had voted not to allow junior girl members to play in ladies’ trophy and cup competitions. Decisions like this are usually founded in a rather insular dislike for the fact that rapidly improving juniors can, and do, win club competitions, especially when they come into a hot streak of form, as can easily happen during the school holidays, for example. Juniors are the future of the sport and their progress should be encouraged, not punished.

Thankfully the club’s owners, Ping, swiftly reversed the outcome of the vote. In an official statement, Ping – which does more than any other golf brand to support ladies’ and junior golf – said the idea went completely against the values, principles and philosophies of the company. Anecdotal evidence suggests a number of clubs up and down the country have rules like this, but I’d hope the negative publicity and overwhelming condemnation of the idea on social media will make those who do still seek to make golf exclusive rather than inclusive reconsider their rules. Golf is truly a game for all. Let’s do all we can to celebrate that.