Importance of the celebration of National Women’s Day throughout August?

By Alistair Collier | The Business of Golf Magazine

Dear Club Manager, Director of Golf, Course Superintendent,

Why not talk about sustainable golf, and the importance of the celebration of National Women’s Day throughout August?

On 9 August 2024, South Africa celebrated National Women’s Day, and the day has been set aside on our calendar, to commemorate the famous women’s march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956. The march saw 20 000 women protest the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act, which included the extension of the Pass Laws to women.

Additionally, this year’s Women’s Month’s commemoration theme is “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development”, and celebrates women as active agents of change and social transformation.

The commemoration also allows us to reflect, and take stock of achievements and the challenges that remain, while mobilising further support for the further development of women.

In terms of golf there is a need to acknowledge women’s accomplishments, as well as the leadership role and huge contribution women make in the areas of management and administration of golf at national, provincial and club level, all women golfers, whether they are professionals or amateurs, and last, but not least, all the women involved in the turf grass and green industries.

In the history section on the Golf RSA website, in reference to women’s golf it records;
“The early years were not easy for South African women golfers. The struggle to gain acceptance from their male counterparts was constant and ongoing. The clothes that they had to wear on the golf course were hardly conducive to swinging a golf club. But they were a daunting lot, determined to succeed, and succeed they did”.

In acknowledging women’s accomplishments, as well as the leadership role within golf, the three founding members of the South African Ladies Golf Union are considered to be Mrs Maud Gibb, Mrs K Jooste and Mrs Grindley Ferris. In the years that followed, to mention a few leaders, the Association was ably led by Mesdames G.R. Wilkinson, C.M. Catterall, D Robinson, E.V. Butt, E.M Neethling, A Truss, E. Lefson, and K. Olivant.

In terms of mobilising support for the further development of women in golf, the amalgamation of women’s golf into the other golfing associations to establish GOLFRSA, as a non-profit company to operate as the national sporting organisation of amateur golf in the Republic, has been a huge step in breaking through the “glass ceiling” for women to take up more leadership roles in golf in South Africa.

Furthermore, the Department of Sport and Recreation has also added to the importance of the role of women in sport. In April 2023, the Department of Sport published the draft Women in Sport Policy, wherein are outlined a set of measures that will promote and support women in sport, and help to ensure programmes are in place to address gender disparities in sporting codes and structures.

The draft also addresses barriers to entry by women in sport, such as lack of funding, sponsorship and inadequate remuneration. A cabinet press release stated; “The proposed policy intends to promote increased active participation of women in sport and leadership roles such as coaching and officiating. The policy recognises that increased participation of women in sport and leadership positions will drastically reduce and finally eradicate gender inequality and various forms of discrimination against women. It also seeks to promote equity and ensure women receive respect or recognition on the professional front, including equal remuneration as their male counterparts.”

This is a call to action; at your next meeting why not place the issue of sustainability of golf and its three pillars namely environmental sustainability, social responsibility and good governance on your agenda, focusing on National Women’s Day, and the principles that underpin celebrating Women’s Month, including, women as active agents of change and social transformation, taking stock of achievements, and the challenges that remain, while mobilising support for the further development of women.

Yours in Sustainable Golf
JOHN COLLIER