Matt Smiley, executive director of the Virginia State Golf Association, fills up one hand quickly when he begins ticking off the ways in which women’s golf in Virginia is thriving. The evidence is everywhere, from expanded women’s programming to increased female membership to a significant women’s presence on the association’s board of directors.
On the inside, things look differently, too. The VSGA dates to 1904 with a separate, largely tournament-focused women’s sub-division coming online in 1950.
In 2015, the two integrated into one full-service association.
One thing absolutely has to do with the other and, as Smiley notes, “This story is not unique.”
During the past decade, more state golf associations serving men have joined forces with those serving women. Combined resources can mean increased offerings for both men and women. In many cases, mergers also amplify female voices.
“We know what the issues are, we can express our opinions and many issues are not women’s issues or men’s issues, they’re...