“No woman ever has entered the clubhouse and, praise God, no woman ever will.”

—Royal Liverpool’s club secretary in 1946

Women are everywhere. We’re letting them play golf and tennis now!

—FOX’s Brian Kilmeade in 2012

I wanted to address the ongoing men’s club mindset when it comes to golf. Which as outdated as it maybe, it is still present today! I do still see this every day, not just on the course but off the course as well. Golf is still very much associated with the high-powered men (Don’t get me wrong some women are like this too). Most of us golf public courses as we are not member material.  It’s funny how golf is considered the world’s most boring sport and there sure is a fight to be an equal on the course. (FYI respect seems to be given immediately depending on where you’re a member) I have sought after a way to change that mindset. All because of one club members and not a prestigious club member either; comments about needing to tone down my influence as its doesn’t really speak “golf”. By creating this platform, I get to represent golf in today’s age,  for every other person who doesn’t fit the cliché mold of what a golfer is… It’s about empowering everyone to feel themselves not only on the course but in everyday life. I feel golf is still marketed towards that specific group of people, let’s face it, men have way more options / notoriety in golf and that is because the demographic is mostly men.

SO, CHANGE IT!

If golf is marketed and geared towards “everyone” maybe more people would golf!  So Simple. Make it about golf not how much money a specific market gets you!  For me going against the grain and furthering women in golf all while representing every other class of person that has a loves for this game. This can bring more inclusion and acceptance no matter who you are or what you choose to do. I believe it is not just a game, I truly believe it’s the lifestyle.

We have long fought for women to have the rights to play and be equals in this game, and we still continue to progress in having a presence . That is what empowers me as a woman to take this opportunity to further that change not only for the next generation of women but to promote being accepted no matter who you are, how you look or how much money you have.  I am proud to have the below highlights of women some special women and their contributions for changing the way for my future. It inspires me to keep on the path that I feel so passionately about.

I plan to do this life with no limits!

Rachelle Steele

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Among women leaders, Mary, Queen of Scots is known as the first woman to ever play golf in the 1500s. It even caused the first golf-related scandal when the Queen of Scots was spotted playing golf only days after her husband’s death.

Eventually, golf evolved as a pastime for nobles or businessmen of that time. Since women had no place in business during these periods, they were excluded from playing the sport. It was only on New Year’s Day of 1811 that women’s golf was officially recognized in Musselburgh, Scotland.

The term “caddie” was also coined by Mary Queen of Scots as it derives from the French word for student – Cadet.

The first golf course built in the UK was commissioned by Mary Queen of Scots. The Queen brought the sport of golf over to Scotland from France in the 1550s, building the first course at St. Andrews.

What we now know as mini golf was originally designed for women. As it was considered improper for ladies to hold the club past their shoulders, a putting course was created by the Ladies’ Putting Club of St. Andrews in 1867 to allow them to enjoy a game without swinging the club too far.

The handicap system was invented by a woman. Isette Miller from London helped develop the early versions of the golf handicap system in 1893. Her system took in to account the different abilities and experience of the competitors.

The Ladies Professional Golf Association or LPGA was formed in 1950, with Louise Suggs, Babe Didrickson-Zaharias and Patty Berg – all stars of the LPGA doing their part to put women’s golf on the map.

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Mildred “Babe” Zaharias in 1947, headed home after becoming the first American to win the British Women’s Amateur title

 

TO ALL YOU AMAZING WOMEN WHO PUSH FOR A BETTER TOMORROW, THANK YOU!

MAY WE ALWAYS BE BUILDING A PLATFORM FOR EQUALITY, ACCEPTANCE & UNDERSTANDING FOR ONE ANOTHER .