Rise of Women Golf - From Nowhere to Everywhere
The world of golf that was once dominated by men is now shared to quite a high degree with women. Yes, more and more women are coming forward to play professional golf and they are also gaining respect and popularity among golf fans.
When a Scottish female golfer, Mary Queen, started playing in 1552, who knew that later in the 21st century, the whole world will be watching the female golfers contesting against each other. There was a time when no woman was allowed to take
part in any golf event, but now women are seen everywhere and even female teenage golfers are coming forward to play golf across the globe.
The rise of female participation in golf can be assessed from the selection of 16-year-old Lexi Thompson as a permanent member of LPGA Tour, after the 18-year minimum age requirement was waived off by the LPGA Tour.
The Tour commissioner wants talented and exciting players to come and showcase their game in front of the world regardless of any age limit. If someone is good enough to play, she can play, according to new LPGA thinking.
Earlier it was very odd to see someone turn on the TV to watch a Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) event. However, times have changed and now women are becoming more and more skillful in the game, worthy to watch.
Women all across the world have become much stronger as compared to the past and taken matters in their own hands whether it is related to business, pleasure, home, sports or anything else. Same is the case in golf as more women are coming forward and displaying
their skills and abilities to prove that they are different from what they used to be in the past. They are much stronger now and can move shoulder to shoulder with men.
Since golf has become a social activity, it has a reputation of honour, decency and respect. Women and men golfers can now play together, using proper decorum and spectators can also have a picnic, watching their favourite players on the course.
Women’s golf gained significant attention and popularity when a female golfer, Annika Sorenstam, showed interest to participate in a PGA Tour event against men. Since then, many female golfers have followed the footsteps of Sorentam, showing an interest
to play with men.
Recently, Yani Tseng, the World No.1 female golfer, showed interest in playing a LPA event by saying that she wants to play with men and learn more about the skills needed in golf from professional male golfers.
Following this step by Tseng, Sidney Wolf, the General Manager of Puerto Rico Open, said that he would like her to be part of the 2012 Puerto Rico Open.
“Having the number one player here would open our event to a broader audience," he said."It could open up the possibility of a LPGA event here, and ultimately help us raise funds for our charities. It would also create awareness of Puerto Rico globally,
which would economically be very positive for the island."
This shows the acceptance of women in the world of golf as they are being given similar respect and honour as male golfers.
Sponsors have also played a major role in the increasing popularity of women’s golf events by sponsoring the female players and events that are telecasted on different channels across the world. There are very rare events that are not telecasted for the
viewers now.
Besides all the physical restrictions, women have undoubtedly taken a huge leap forward than most people’s expectations and if they continue working hard on the course, there will surely come a time when golf fans will take similar interest in watching the
LPGA events as the PGA Tour events. Women’s golf has laid the foundation for this and the only thing needed for further improvisation is more focus on it.
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