Women’s Golf Booms In Britain

Press, Volume C, Issue 29527, 31 May 1961, Page 8

Women’s Golf Booms In Britain

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON. May 29. There is a great boom in women's golf in Britain. Since the war the Ladies’ Golf Union has more than doubled its membership. and in clubs all over the country women are joining in thousands. Their subscriptions and the motley they spend have kept out at the red many clubs where male members alone would have had a difficult task to remain financial. The British women’s open championship which started today at Carnoustie has 81 competitors with ages ranging from 16 to 74 years. Slxteen-year-old Judy Toriuernke from St. Louis. Missouri. has already held her State title, and last season was the leading amateur in the United States women's open, as well as being bronze medallist in the American junior championship. Since She was eight her father has spent some £5OO a year for her tournament experience. With the defender of the title, Barbara Mclntyre, of Florida, absent the Championship is regarded as about as open as it has ever been since iis inception in 1903.

There is a strong challenge from the Continent, with the former winner, Vibomtesse de Saint Sauveur, and Brigitte Varangot representing France, and Madame Iva Goldschmid Bevorne. champion of Spain. Commenting on the growing interest British women are Rowing in golf. Miss Mary Thornton. secretary of the Ladies’ Golf Union, said to the Daily Mail”: “We are completely independent of the men. In America and on the Continent men run women's clubs; but our ladies’ union has nothing to do with the men at ail. ‘The only discrimination against women these days in golfing Is at the bar.” The women’s main contribution to club finances is the money they spend on lunches and teas. They get more opportunity to play, so spend more time and money at the clubs. “I think the men are at last accepting us on equal terms. They find that the women’s touch tn domestic matters, like putting up curtains and arranging flowers, makes the place more comfortable for them," said Miss Thornton.