Footy great David Schwarz caught up in golf club sexism row

There has been a bizarre development in the “identifying as female” golf club row, with a famous name caught up in the stunt.

A surprise name has popped up amidst the sexism row that has engulfed a Victorian golf club.

David Schwarz, who played 173 AFL games for Melbourne, is a member of Barwon Heads’ 13th Beach Golf Links club.

The club shot into the spotlight this week when a male member was filmed in a golf skirt and blonde wig inquiring about a discounted, six-day membership deal that had been created to attract more women.

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Earlier this year, 13th Beach introduced new membership categories giving women unique membership options and access to two courses.

It turns out 52-year-old Schwarz had played golf that day with the men involved and is even glimpsed briefly in the viral video.

The footy great said the stunt was all meant as a joke and he supported the message from his mates, Terry, Nigel and Kevin.

David Schwarz was with the golfers during the stunt. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“They played in my group but I wasn’t a part of (the stunt),” Schwarz told the Herald Sun.

“It was a joke … I’m one of those members that would love a six-day membership because I don’t play weekend golf.

“I’ve been a member there for 15 years and never played on a weekend, ever.

“I’ve never played in a club championship and I’d love the opportunity to have a six-day membership.”

The men are believed to be in their 70s and a source told the Herald Sun a petition of club members was calling for the removal of 13th Beach chairman Grant Phelps, “primarily over this (membership) issue”.

The man known as Ox, who won the 1999 best and fairest award at the Demons, said many members had strong feelings about the new deals.

“I understand we want to grow the game and we want more women and whatever they can do to get more women to play, we’re all for that,” he said.

“But this is not the right way to go about it.

“I think what most other clubs … right around Victoria do, is offer a discount on a joining fee for junior memberships and that’s certainly a way to get more participants.

“But to isolate one section with a special membership is just totally unfair and probably not thought through because there’s a lot of people that financially find it difficult to pay their subs each year.”

The 13th Beach Golf Links hosts the Victorian Open each year.

In the viral video, a male member is filmed wearing a skirt and a blonde wig and asking the front desk about the new deals at the club.

The golfer in Victoria dressing as a woman.

The man in the video, the man filming and another member have since been temporarily suspended by the club.

“It’s not Cherry? Kerry is it?” the man filming the video is overheard asking in a clip you can see above.

“Yes, I’m identifying as a female now and I’m just about to inquire about the new membership deal,” the man on camera replies.

After filming the man walk to the front desk, he has an awkward conversation with two women working at the club.

“Hi there, I’m fantastic. Look I’m now identifying as a female. I just wanted to inquire about the new membership deal,” he said.

After some awkward laughs, one of the women replied: “If you want to have a discussion, you need to go to the right people.”

13th Beach Golf Links general manager Rob Hurley confirmed the temporary suspension of three members for allegedly breaching club policies and not for their choice of attire.

David Schwarz (far right) at a recent charity gala. Picture: Meg Read Photography

Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland also released a statement condemning the actions of the men involved.

“We want golf to be a sport for all,” he said. “We strongly believe that all of us can be golfers and people should feel welcome and included in our golf community.

“There are some incredible success stories over recent times where clubs have transformed themselves in line with the ambition for golf to be a fun, welcoming community sport.

“As such, we strongly support the initiative of 13th Beach Golf Links in seeking to grow and diversify its membership base.

“Behaviour that opposes golf’s ambition to become more inclusive, whether it be with women, juniors, people with a disability or those from culturally diverse backgrounds, only reinforces the perception that golf is stuck in the past and refuses to change.

“Such behaviour should not be tolerated and should be challenged by the broader golfing community.”

Originally published as Footy great David Schwarz caught up in golf club sexism row