Captain Catriona is a must for women’s game
THERE are many issues currently facing women’s golf in Europe.
But one that should be sorted immediately is the appointment of Catriona Matthew as European captain for the next Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in 2019.
She is the best candidate, and frankly, the only choice. I’ve known Catriona for a long time and she would do an excellent job.
This isn’t just pure patriotism here. But having a Scottish captain is ideal in terms of marketing and promoting the event.
Catriona will continue to play both tours and keep in touch with the players, but being based in North Berwick means she can be fully involved in preparations.
Last week’s edition of the Solheim Cup, in Iowa, showcased all that is good about the ladies game, with great golf in front of huge crowds.
The match was much closer than the final five-point margin suggests. At one point on Sunday, I thought Europe might repeat the men’s heroics from the Ryder Cup at Medinah in 2012.
It wasn’t to be, partly due to an incredible stretch from the USA’s star player, Lexi Thompson.
To come back from four down after nine – and play the next seven holes in eight-under-par – to claim a thrilling half with Anna Nordqvist was sensational.
Our girls played well in the circumstances. But it was a huge leap for some of those who play only on the Ladies European Tour to make the step up.
A look at the 2017 schedule shows 14 regular events spread over 10 months – and as far afield as Australia, China and India.
There wasn’t a single event between April 23 and July 6. That is totally unacceptable.
The tour is without a chief executive at the moment, so a new one is needed very quickly, as well as a coherent business plan.
There have been successful Solheim Cups in Germany and Sweden in recent years, yet neither of these countries has a women’s tour event. Something has gone badly wrong. But the Ladies European Tour is fighting with the men’s Tour, the Seniors Tour and the Challenge Tour for sponsorship.
There isn’t enough to go around as companies have tightened their belts. Sadly, the women are lower down the pecking order.
Obviously there are huge disparities in the level of winnings for men and women in European golf, but that is not even an issue.
Before we can tackle the idea of equal pay, let’s have an equal number of tournaments first.
I have played golf many times with Annabel Dimmock, a 20-year old professional who has been on a scholarship at Wentworth.
She is a fine prospect, and a contender for the 2019 Solheim Cup, but she has to rely on the generosity of individual sponsors.
Annabel is now heading to America to try to secure a card on the LPGA Tour. There is little alternative for her if she is to sustain her career.
That shows if nothing is done to save women’s golf in Europe, girls like Annabel and younger will be lost to the game.