The R&A Announces new Women in Golf Charter
On Tuesday morning The R&A announced a new initiative to encourage more female participation in the sport at all levels. The new Women in Golf Charter aims to encourage an industry-wide commitment to make golf more open, accessible and affordable around the globe.
The launch event at The Shard in London attracted a number of important golf figures and organisations, willing to pledge their support, including the European Tour, the Ladies’ European Tour, Golf Australia, Golf Canada, Scottish Golf and many more. One of the main objectives of the Charter is to help ensure the game is still thriving in 50 years time. The R&A believes making women and girls a priority in the sport is fundamental to achieving this goal.
“We are asking the golf industry to recognise the real importance of increasing the number of women and girls playing golf and empowering more women to enjoy successful careers at all levels of the sport,” explains Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A.
Adding, “The Charter is a strong statement of intent from the golf industry that it has to change and a commitment on behalf of all of us to take measures designed to achieve positive change for women, girls and families. This is crucial to growing participation in the sport in the years ahead.”
In order to ensure success The R&A is pledging to invest £80 million over the next ten years to female and mixed golf areas of the game. It is their hope that by providing such commitment they are able to strengthen the focus on gender balance for the industry as well as develop an inclusive environment for women and girls within golf.