There is a very important trend just starting to take shape among state golf associations that could have a dramatic impact on golf participation by younger women.
The trend is for state golf associations to lower the eligibility age for the women’s state mid-amateur championship from the traditional 25 to 22 or 23. It began in 2019 when the Florida State Golf Association started tinkering with the mid-amateur entry criteria, and it is having a positive impact on participation by recent college graduates.
The issue driving this is simple. Women coming out of college who choose not to pursue a career in the professional game have been left in limbo until they turn 25. Absent a reason to remain competitively sharp, often the player will drift away from the game. Getting her to return at 25 can be difficult.
There are already several hurdles for female mid-amateur participation, such as career and family considerations. Throw in waiting until age 25 to resume competing and women’s mid-amateur golf is set up to struggle — unless the age requirement is altered.
The FSGA first began to consider change in 2019, when it cut the entry fee in half for women aged 25-29. Not much changed, however. So, in 2020, it lowered the age to 22, continued to offer a discount and created a 36-hole flight at a reduced rate.
“This was a very successful change,” observed Jeff Magaditsch, the FSGA’s Executive Director.
He has the data to prove it. Since 2020, the number of female mid-amateurs competing in their state mid-amateur championship has almost quadrupled. In 2022, there were 25 competitors under the age of 40 in the field compared to six such golfers in 2018. The past three winners of the mid-amateur have all been under the age of 40, including 2022 champion Ashley Zagers, age 23.
“There has always been this gap between college and 25 years old. That gap is the difference between staying in the game and leaving. We want to narrow that gap as much as we can.” – Matt Vanderpool, Executive Director of the Georgia State Golf Association
It didn’t take long for this new best practice to be noticed. The Georgia State Golf Association will conduct its first women’s mid-amateur championship this year, and the minimum age will be 22.
“There has always been this gap between college and 25 years old,” GSGA Executive Director Matt Vanderpool pointed out. “That gap is the difference between staying in the game and leaving. We want to narrow that gap as much as we can.”
The Golf Association of Michigan has taken the idea even further. The Michigan Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship includes women age 19-24. In it recently concluded event, there were 28 such players out of a field of 72 in this age bracket. The championship also includes a senior flight. Three different sets of tees are used — the true mid-amateur champion must be 25 or older.
The GAM began this practice in 2019 in an effort to grow the size of the field so as to play better venues. Additionally, according to GAM Executive Director Chris Whitten, the GAM staff simply felt that there were fewer playing opportunities for women of this age group compared to their male counterparts. Almost all of the players in this age category are college players in the state of Michigan, from big Division-I schools to smaller Division-II programs.
One side benefit, according to Whitten, is the sense of community that is fostered by having players compete together from such a wide age spectrum. The younger players are reminded that golf is a game for a lifetime.
Arizona is taking a slightly different approach to retaining and engaging younger women golfers. The state has an under-30 program for women and men of all skill levels. The AZ Under 30 Club costs $29 to join, and it is considered a state association membership.
It’s a bit more social than it is competitive, but there are some good players among the 400-plus members. “This has been a resounding success,” according to David Bataller, the AGA’s Director of Communications.
Covid-19 brought a lot of women into the game of golf. I have seen an estimate that says overall female participation has grown by 800,000 since 2019.
State golf administrators didn’t cause that to happen — the pandemic naturally created additional leisure time and a desire for outdoor activities — but they badly want to retain as many of these new players as they possibly can. To that end, most states are searching for programming, services and events to keep women on the course.
Forward-thinking associations like these four have it right; lowering the minimum age for female mid-amateurs is a good idea, and hopefully it spreads throughout the nation.
Could this trend become national in nature? According to USGA Chief Championship Officer John Bodenhamer, the USGA is engaged in a review of age parameters for all its championships this year. This comprehensive study will culminate later this year.
It would be great for the women’s game if the USGA would lead the way and establish the minimum age for the women’s mid-amateur championship at age 22. Every state golf association would likely fall in line. That would go a long way toward keeping talented young women in the game.
© 2023 Global Golf Post LLC
Share with the women in your life