In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, we are recognizing some of golf’s most influential ladies.
It was an encounter with golf star Morgan Pressel at a CP Women’s Open years ago that captured an 11-year-old Brooke Henderson’s imagination. Now at 21, she’s one of the best golfers in the world and has never forgotten the impression that meeting her idol had on her.
“I still remember Morgan Pressel giving me a signed ball and I want to try and pass that feeling along to other little girls and boys who follow me when I’m on the course,” says Henderson.
Henderson, a Golf Town athlete, says being able to talk to members of the #BrookeBrigade is one of the things she enjoys most about being a professional golfer.
She says she has seen so many young girls picking up the game of late, and at last year’s CP Women’s Open, she saw so many dressed like her as she chased Canadian history – including this young lady (video below) who caught Brooke’s attention during the Pro-Am.
When you follow @BrookeHenderson for her entire round, she takes notice. #BrookeBrigade pic.twitter.com/ivgQlfvG6A
— Golf Town (@GolfTown) August 23, 2018
It’s not something that goes unnoticed by Canada’s top-ranked golfer, and she is thrilled that she is a role model girls can look up to and encourage them to pick up the game that has given so much to her.
“I work hard on and off the course to be a person they can look up to. Being a positive influence for kids is something that I truly enjoy.”
Growing the Game
Did you know…thirty-five percent of golf’s 2.6 million new players in 2018 were women, and the sport has numerous benefits for those looking to start playing.
At Golf Town, we are passionate about growing the game for female golfers. 8-Time Canadian Long Drive Champion and Golf Town ambassador Lisa ‘Longball’ Vlooswyk hosts free ladies golf clinics at Golf Town locations across Canada, and says although she sees women who are intimidated by the sport, the uptick in female participation numbers is a trend she knows will continue.
“When I go to the driving range I see more women out there practicing, and before it was just guys bashing balls. Now the ladies are grinding out there,” she says. “I’m definitely noticing more women out there and at corporate and charity golf tournaments, I’m starting to see more women in the field.”
Move Over Boys
Another person who had a big-time impact on women’s golf in 2018 was multi-time LPGA Tour winner Brittany Lincicome.
Lincicome, a past CP Women’s Open champion, teed it up on the PGA Tour in 2018 at the Barbasol Championship. She was just the fifth woman ever to play with the men on the PGA Tour, and the first since Michelle Wie in 2008.
She describes the experience as “awesome” and says she had the biggest crowds of anyone that week.
Lincicome knows golf is intimidating but she’s seen a lot more young girls picking up golf the last few years.
“Any time we can get girls involved in the game of golf it’s just awesome,” she says. “We were young girl golfers too, and along the way someone did something for us or signed an autograph, so if we can sign one extra thing for a child and that gets them hooked on the game then it’s great.”
LPGA Gaining Global Respect
Although Lincicome played a PGA Tour event last year, she was quick to point out the success and momentum behind the LPGA Tour as well.
The Tour’s 2019 schedule includes new tournaments and the highest cumulative purse in history.
Lincicome says the work LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan has done as been instrumental in driving the success of the women’s game globally.
“I feel like everyone around the world has a little piece of the LPGA,” says Lincicome.
One of the biggest global stars on the LPGA Tour is another former CP Women’s Open winner, Lydia Ko of New Zealand.
She says the LPGA Tour is getting stronger and stronger every year. On the course the talent is amazing, she says, and everyone is uniting for a common goal: to try to grow interest in the game they love.
“As an active player, one of my goals is to inspire and hopefully grow the game to make it even better for our future generations,” says Ko. “It’s such a cool feeling hearing juniors say you’re their idol…They inspire me to become a better and a stronger role model for them.”
A Game for All Ages
Canadian Augusta James, a Golf Town athlete, says sometimes when she isn’t playing well she thinks that no one is watching her – but that’s not true, she’s realized.
“There are so many young girls that don’t care about the scores, they care about their dreams of being where you are some day,” she says. “So to be a small part of their journey and to sign an autograph or say ‘Hi’ at an event is so special, because you know they will remember an experience like that forever.”
And while the young generation has a plethora of stars like Henderson, James, Lincicome, and Ko to look up to, female golfers of any age can experience a ton of great benefits picking up golf, says Vlooswyk.
“There are cardio/heart-health benefits. You’re outdoors. This is an active living sport you can do well into your 90’s because it’s low-impact. There’s the social side,” she says. “And family time – at restaurants kids are glued to their devices but when you’re on the golf course it’s time to laugh, chat, and catch up.”
So whether it’s a youngster following her favourite golfer on the LPGA Tour – which is going through a wave of momentum right now – or a businesswoman looking to take up the game to expand her network, re-connect with family, and have fun with friends, golf is the perfect sport for women of all ages.
“I feel like getting involved is great,” says Golf Town athlete and Calgary native Jennifer Ha. “Whether it’s to be a performance athlete, for someone in business, or just recreation, it’s an awesome life-long skill.”