Ladies, the next time you grab your clubs and head out to the golf course for your weekly foursome, take a moment to reflect on the amazing contributions that women in golf have made throughout history. The contributions were not only to the game itself, but to your "right" to play this sport which was once reserved for men only. Our first tip of the hat goes to Mary Queen of Scots who in 1552, despite being a woman, was allowed to play golf anytime she cared to. History credits Her Royal Highness with coining the term "Caddy" which was a derivative of the her favorite word for these indispensable golf helpers who she called "Cadets". It should also be noted that it was during her reign that St. Andrews, the world's most famous golf course, was built, but it would be almost 400 years later that the first woman would be allowed to play there. Speaking of firsts, the year was 1890 and the earliest known mixed foursome hit the greens. This banner event for women in Golf featured winners Miss Carrie Low and John Reid who soundly defeated Mrs. John Reid and Mr. John Upham. Apparently that first foursome featuring women in golf sparked some major interest among the ladies, because just one year later the still-operating Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island welcomed the first female duffers. The response was so overwhelming that the golf course management built a special 9-hole course especially for women in golf just two years later. The 1800's proved to be an exciting decade or women in golf and, towards the end of 1893, the British Ladies Golf Union sponsored the first of a long line of British Ladies' championships. Although Queen Mary was long gone, the Royal House was represented by tournament winner Lady Margaret Scott. Meanwhile, across the pond, the United States was waking up to the women in golf movement as evidenced by The first women's' golf tournament held in Morristown, NJ on a 7-hole course. This 1894 event was won by Miss Hollard A. Ford who finished 14 strokes under her nearest competitor with a then-amazing 97. Not to be outdone by the Yanks, 1894 also marked the debut of the Australian Women's National Golf Championship. By the year 1895, women in golf were becoming a common site and courses in most of the "civilized" countries started opening their doors to women. Even the staid Meadow Brook Club, in Hempstead, N.Y., got into the act by sponsoring the first Women's Amateur Golf Championship which offered up a field of 13 women golfers. The trophy was taken home by Mrs. Charles S. Brown who finished with a 132. Fast forward to the present and it's unlikely that there is a woman today who is old enough to remember the time when "No Women Allowed" signs were posted on their local links. Even young girls are active in the sport. Which reminds me; if you're looking for a female role model to help you get your name on the woman in golf roles, you needn't look any further than 16-year-old newly turned pro Michelle Wie. From what she's shown so far, Michelle is sure to become a major entry in the annals of women in golf. |
