Women to play in the Open Championship?
When the Open Championship returns to Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) in July
2006, there could be a unique difference, a woman in the field. For the
first time the rules officially allow for women golfers to compete alongside
the men.
The secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club said that the R & A was
making the change because they wanted the tournament to be truly open and
they did not want to cause any offence to women.
The move brings the Open into line with the USGA which removed the word
“male” from its entry forms. A few women such as Michelle Wie and Annika
Soranstam have played in men’s tour events in the US.
Women players will have to take part in regional and final qualifying, thus
sacrificing two potential lucrative tournaments on their own tour.
Is it a good thing?
We asked Alison Nicholas, winner of the US
Women’s Open and British Women’s Open in her time, if playing in the [Men’s]
Open would appeal to her. “Not really. If it had been possible when I was
at my best, I doubt if I would have entered. I can’t compete with men. I
don’t hit the ball far enough. I wouldn’t have given up two tournaments just
for the remote chance of qualifying”.
Alison added, “If I were a male pro, I probably wouldn’t be best pleased
at the prospect of losing my place in the tournament to a woman who has her
own Opens to play in. If the R & A really want to do something for Women’s
golf, I think there are a lot better things they could have done”.
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Dr Kitrina Douglas, whose doctorate was on women golfers, and
was herself a top woman professional says. “There is nothing new
in women playing in men’s events. I did it many times in my career.
As men’s sport is validated by our society much more than women’s,
women have to compete with men for recognition.
“If the R&A was serious about having women in the Open Championship,
they would have them compete on equal terms, ie using forward tees
to compensate for women’s lesser physiological strength.”
Is it a good thing for women? Kitrina Douglas is not convinced. "Arguably
it is a bad thing for women. If one or two women succeed in
qualifying for the Open, the danger is that all women golfers will
be compared unfavourably with them. I think women should feel good
about themselves for who they are, not for who they are I comparison
with men”.
Read more about
Alison
Nicholas |
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