Gender Bias in Local Tournament Golf?

 
On June 9th, Northeast Ohio Golf received the following email:

A few years ago, I entered the [TOURNAMENT NAME WITHHELD] with a friend. We are both women and we were the only women there. They were surprised to see us but let us play. However, we had to compete vs. the men. It is not clear in promoting tourneys like “Amateur” or “Senior” whether it is only for men or if both genders are invited. It would be helpful if info about events made it clear that the event is intended for all, just for women, or just for men. And if for both men and women, whether there is one field or if each will compete vs. their own gender.

Thanks –
[NAME WITHHELD]

 
The next day, the following reply was sent:

Thanks for your email. I have to say, I know of no event where both genders are “not invited”. When an event is listed as “amateur” or “senior”, neither of those designations ever prevents a woman from playing.

But at the same time, that does not mean those events automatically offer different tees for women — just as those events do not automatically set up different tees for senior players, mid-ams, juniors, etc. (Should they do so? That’s a different question all together.)

If an event does offer variable tees with everyone playing in a single division, that information is always stated on our website. As an example, our own NEOHgolf.com Tournament Series offers different tees by age and gender with everyone playing in one single division. We’ve had a few women play in a couple of the scramble events, and those women players have stated afterwards that the setup was fair for them. We’d love to have you and your friends register for those events!

On our website in the past, we have listed events exclusively for women that were run by other associations in greater Cleveland. Those events always included the word “Women’s” in the title. And any time we are provided with information for those types of events, they will always be posted to our Tournament Calendar and results.

For example, Cleveland Metroparks Golf ran a Women’s Cleveland Amateur for 3-4 years, but the registrations were always just a handful of players so they stopped.

I will float your question around to the various associations in the area to get a response from each. It’s actually an interesting story idea. Watch the website for more on this topic in the next couple of weeks…

Allen Freeman
Northeast Ohio Golf
 

What Do NEOH Golf Associations Say?

NEOHgolf.com wishes to offer all golf associations in Northeast Ohio the opportunity to provide their response to this letter. Please send us an email with your response and it will be added below. Or respond directly in the comments section below…

Tournament Director Responses

Brad Haynes

Zoar Golf Club Tournament Series

After some thought, I must tell you that I have been in that position at least twice in my tournament director years (30+) so that could have been me! While running tournaments in Coshocton County I scheduled a “one man scramble” (a mulligan on every shot). I had a lady call and say that sounds like fun. I informed her that my rules sheet states: “All players will play from the blue tees”.

Then a few years ago here at Zoar GC, I had two ladies show up for a 2-man scramble with their husbands or boyfriends, expecting to play from the forward tees. I informed them of the “same tee box” rule and they played anyway.

Al, I don’t see or consider age or gender when setting the rules for some of my amateur events. I have had many call to ask if they will be playing the senior tees or not; can I use my handicap, etc. Many ask before entering.

When there is $500 – $1,000 in a skin pot, I believe that it is unfair to expect some to hit from 227 yards on our #13, an uphill par three, while the ladies play 129 yards and seniors play 150 yards.

The rules are not there to discriminate, but to keep the competition fair so that talent wins. There is no bias with me. I have mixed doubles tournaments, senior tournaments, and scratch events with senior divisions.