Top turnout for women’s summer competition

Discussing the evening’s draw at the Otago Golf Club’s Balmacewen course  are (from left) former...
Discussing the evening’s draw at the Otago Golf Club’s Balmacewen course are (from left) former Otago representative Melanie Harper with novice golfers Rachel van Gorp, Megan Vintiner, Rangi Clark and Jenny Daly. Photo: Linda Robertson
Otago Golf Club professional Shelley Duncan is excited about the response to a women’s event which began on the Balmacewen course yesterday evening.

It attracted almost 60 women who each played six holes.  Several others are interested in playing in the remaining weeks in October.

The concept came from a discussion with club nine-hole member Julia Oliver, who wanted to play more golf during the summer.

Oliver joined several women to play squash on Tuesday evenings during the winter but now the group and others are turning to golf.

Each playing group will be accompanied by  senior Otago club players to assist the players and ensure their enjoyment. 

These include former Otago representatives Melanie Harper and Dianne Gillett.

"Women’s golf has been on the decline for more than a decade and we have to do something about it," Duncan said.

"When I started playing golf there were more than 70 women playing in the Tuesday club competition.

"There are now a lot of working women who cannot play on Tuesdays and we are lucky to get a dozen turning up for the Tuesday match.

"About 20 others play on a Saturday but the total number is well down on what it used to be."

Duncan hopes some of those involved in the Tuesday event get hooked on the game.

She also welcomes any other women who want to try the game to contact her at the Otago Golf Shop and join in during the next four Tuesdays.

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