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The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter continues to gain momentum with more than 150 organisations giving their commitment, pledging to build on current initiatives and develop new projects to increase the number of women, girls and families playing golf, as well as giving women wider opportunities to enjoy careers and volunteering in the sport.
These include national federations such as Golf Canada, which held its inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit last year linked to the staging of the CP Women’s Open, Golf Australia, the Argentine Golf Association, the Czech Golf Federation, New Zealand Golf, the Italian Golf Federation, the Swedish Golf Federation, England Golf, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf and the Zambia Golf Union.
The most recent signatory, Walton Heath Golf Club has become the first club in Surrey to sign The R&A Women In Golf Charter joining 86 clubs in Great Britain and Ireland in their commitment to increasing the number of women and girls participating in golf.
“It is so important for the Charter to break through at club level, as we aim to increase the number of women and girls participating in golf and to encourage more opportunities for women to work and volunteer within the sport overall” said Jackie Davidson, assistant director of golf development at The R&A. “We are delighted Walton Heath has become a signatory of The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter and as part of this have made significant commitments to increasing participating amongst women and girls at their club.”
They follow in the footsteps of Conwy Golf Club, host of the 2020 Curtis Cup, which was the first golf club in the world to sign the Women in Golf Charter, while Open venues Carnoustie, Royal Troon and Royal Portrush also have pledged their support.
Enthusiastically embracing the initiative Walton Heath aims to develop a range of initiatives designed to encourage more women and girls to play golf and stay within the sports as members of clubs.
In adopting the Charter, Walton Heath has implemented a three-year rolling strategic plan to increase membership, develop women’s, girls and family golf while also encouraging more women to become closely involved in the administrative elements of the club.
Walton Heath lady captain Alison Taylor and Kate Hill, who sits on the club’s general committee, are leading the drive which they believe can bring in new players of all age groups who will be supported and encouraged as their game develops.
“We are proud to be the first golf club in Surrey to adopt The R&A Charter and to pledge our commitment to supporting the continued growth of women and girls golf,” said Taylor. “We would love to inspire a new generation of women and girl golfers to enjoy the benefits of golf as a wonderful leisure activity for all the family. To this end, The R&A Charter will help women and girls to prosper and maximise their potential at all levels of the sport.”
Other organisations who have adopted the Charter include the PGA Tour, the European Tour, the Ladies European Tour, The Professional Golfers’ Association, the Golf Foundation, the European Disabled Golf Association, the Annika Foundation, IMG, Ulster University and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf.
Mastercard, the official card of The Open, was the first R&A patron to sign up.
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