BGC signs Women in Golf Charter

The Brisbane Golf Club has continued to be an industry leader by becoming the first golf club in Queensland to sign the Royal and Ancient (R&A) Women in Golf Charter.

The aim of the charter is to enable more women and girls to maximise their potential at all levels of the sport, with affiliated clubs effectively – and publicly – stating their commitment to improving the sport for women and girls.

While the first Queensland club to sign, BGC is one of 29 golf clubs in Australia to commit to supporting the initiative of the R&A, joining the likes of The Metropolitan Golf Club (Melbourne) and Royal Hobart Golf Club.

BGC Vice-President, Deb Kember says she is extremely proud that her club has again become a pacesetter.

“Our club is a market leader in junior golf and Women Get into Golf programs, and this further extends our commitment to women and girls to enable them to maximise their potential at all levels of the sport,” she said.

“We have already developed a women and girls engagement plan as part of the charter signing process, and this will be reviewed annually as the club continues to improve the golfing experience of our female members.”

And while the club continues to celebrate and support women’s golf, this latest move has been hailed by Golf Queensland.

“For many years The Brisbane Golf Club has been a leader in encouraging more women and girls to play golf, and it is great to see this continue through the adoption of the R&A Women in Golf Charter,” praised Luke Bates, State Manager – Golf Queensland and Northern Territory.

BGC CEO, Geoff Kuehner, said the major significance of signing the charter was supporting a more welcoming and inspiring environment for women who play golf, or who aspire to play the sport.

“Nationally, and at BGC, women’s involvement in every aspect of golf is being acknowledged and celebrated with these commitments, and our club is 100 per cent behind this support,” he said.

“The charter is now part of Golf Australia’s Australian Golf Strategy, and the national Women and Girls Engagement Plan, which was formerly known as Vision 2025.

“Here at BGC, we have worked with Golf Australia to develop an improvement plan for women and girls golfing, as well as social and leadership activities.

“Our first Women and Girls Engagement Plan includes initiatives around celebrating and sharing our achievements, and enhancing the golfing and social activities for women golfers at all levels as well as supporting women to step into committee roles.

“We will review the plan annually in March, during national Women and Girls in Golf month. Those interested can view the current BGC Women and Girls Engagement Plan in our web site brochure library.”

BGC members have been invited to celebrate International Women’s Day on Wednesday (March 8) and Women and Girls in Golf Month, on Facebook, by forwarding relevant photos and a few words to geoff@brisbaneglfclub.com.au celebrating the golfing and social activities enjoyed together at the club. – TONY DURKIN