Claims male golfers feel left in the rough at 13th Beach, ready to walk over gender equality push
The number of women who have taken up special deals for female golfers at 13th Beach Golf Links has been revealed, amid a “reverse sexism” storm that has some members cutting up rough.
Victoria
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Just 10 women have taken up the special deal for female golfers at 13th Beach Golf Links, that has some club members cutting up rough over what they say is reverse sexism.
Chair of 13th Beach Golf Links Grant Phelps on Friday defended the club’s gender equality push, and added only 10 women had so far taken up the six-day membership, with a few others possibly set to join from its six-month clinic program that was aimed at introducing people to the game of golf.
“In 2022, 13th Beach Golf Links established, with the support and guidance of our members and board, a strategic plan to grow our membership and in particular our women’s membership to 30 per cent of members,” Mr Phelps said.
“Membership at 13th Beach is currently open and it was clearly identified that we need to do more to remove the longstanding barriers to membership for women in our sport.
“With no waiting list for any category of membership, we now offer a range of products to provide a women’s pathway to membership at the Club. Recently, the club created a six-day membership category for women which is limited to two years before needing to transition to purchase a share in the company to become a long-term member … at 13th Beach Golf Links, we are committed to helping women experience the game of golf in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive community that encourages growth and learning and promotes gender diversity in the sport.”
Mr Phelps comments came after members of 13th Beach Golf Links — home to the Victorian Open — came out swinging over the club’s gender equality policies and special deals for women, with one female golfer claiming the club now “openly discriminates against males”.
And there are claims “many” existing members are considering leaving the club amid the furore.
“Many of the members are against this offering, both male and female,” the woman said.
“13th Beach, of which I have been a longstanding female member … now openly discriminates against males who are in the same situation as women by providing incentives based solely on gender. It is not what our golf club was founded on.
“A longer, effective try-before-you-commit term, and a 20 per cent discount (based) solely on gender is not on!
“This is now not just for new females golfers but it also seems to be being used to attract established golfers from other clubs.”
Another female member said “many” existing golfers, including women, were considering leaving 13th Beach to join other clubs “due to their treatment and the prevailing culture”.
“I believe it is both fair and just for female members to pay the same subs as their male counterparts, as equality is a fundamental principle that we should uphold,” she said.
“Additionally, it is disheartening to note that concerns raised by both female and male members have not been adequately addressed by the board.”
The 13th Beach Golf Links recently announced a membership category for new female members, giving them unique access to its beach and creek courses, six days-a-week and seven-day access to its short course.
The club posted on social media in May the special membership deals provided “the perfect opportunity for women new to golf, or seasoned golfers”, to experience the benefits of a membership at 13th Beach Golf Links, near Barwon Heads.
It said the six-day deal excluded Saturdays.
The club has made no secret of the fact it is desperately trying to increase its female membership from the existing 18 per cent to 30 per cent by 2027, and doing everything it can to reach that target.
It also wants more women shareholders.
A male 13th Beach member said “a substantial number of female members — including two female ex club captains, one who has written to the board — also disagree with the policy”.
“The club advertises and prides itself on being an inclusive gender neutral club. Discriminating for or against either gender contradicts the principle of gender neutral,” he said.
Another source close to the club told the Herald Sun many male 13th Beach members were “shitty” about the special women’s membership deal because they believed it was “simply unfair”.
Late last year deputy manager Sally McKenna said a ‘women in golf’ committee and working group had been established to try and better understand why female membership at the club had been “stuck on 18 per cent” for some time, and many women were not progressing past clinics to become members.
“Our club has a wonderful inclusive culture, however, we now better understand as an outsider or beginner, it can still be a daunting prospect to go from clinics to membership of a large club” she said.
13th Beach rose to prominence after becoming home to the Vic Open.
Earlier this year, Golf Australia magazine labelled 13th Beach Golf Links “one of the most egalitarian clubs in Australia”, and celebrated its moves towards getting more female members by saying it had “reimagined gender-equal practice”.
”Women and minority groups seek to have parity with the largest demographic in golf and the traditional decision makers of the game – men,” Karen Harding from ‘the golfer’s bible’ said.
“Everywhere in the game, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are being supported, even mandated. This is certainly the case at 13th Beach, which has been egalitarian since its formation in 2001.”
General manager of Golf Australia’s places to play and clubs and facilities, Damien de Bohun,
told the Herald Sun on Thursday 13th Beach was one of Australia’s best golf courses, having hosted the Vic Open for the last 11 years.
“13th Beach was home to the first professional golf tournament in the world who ran a mens and women's tournament together, and awarded equal prize money to both women and men,” he said.
“Golf Australia has built a strong relationship with 13th Beach and applauds the special measures the club has taken to encourage even more women to take up the sport.”
Mr de Bohun said golf was booming across the nation, with membership growing again this year and closing in on 500,000 members across Australia.
In total, 3.8 million Australians had played golf in one form or another over the past 12 months, up from 3.5 million the year before, he said.
“It is great to see 13th Beach embracing and enabling this growth, and helping more Australians to play more golf by creating a targeted pathway for more women to access the game,” he said.
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