As golf clubs across the country face dwindling memberships and, in many cases, the threat of closure, it seems the penny has finally dropped within the golf business that encouraging female participation is vital to the growth of the game. 

At national level there has been a new focus on the women’s game, with initiatives such as Scottish Golf Limited’s ‘Get into Golf’ already bringing new female players into the sport. But even at club level it is possible to make a difference, and this is what has been happening at an Edinburgh club, not so long ago a bastion of male golf, which is bucking the trend with a growing and energetic ladies section. 

Mortonhall Golf Club opened its doors to female membership in 2000 and can now boast almost 100 active female golfers.  At the outset, due to its outstanding reputation for its challenging and high quality course, the club attracted a good number of elite female golfers who played at County and National level.  Competitive success for the club came early with the Mortonhall Ladies Team going on to win the Midlothian County Division 1 Trophy on 3 occasions.  

Ken McKinlay, Captain of Mortonhall Golf Club states; “The addition of lady members in 2000 has been one of the most important decisions in the history of the club.” 

“Without their passion for the game and interest in the club it would be hard to see how we would be in the strong position we find ourselves in today.”

From the early days, the ladies at Mortonhall made sure that the number and variety of competitions available to them was greatly increased so that throughout the summer months there will often be a midweek and weekend event to play in.  Alongside the main Championship, a B Championship was introduced to encourage those with higher handicaps to savour the taste of Championship match play.  There is a great excitement around Championship Week with a large turnout of spectator support on the course as the ladies and girls encourage their fellow members in their matches.

Possibly in contrast to the perception that females don’t enjoy competition, the Mortonhall experience is that a bit of healthy competition is welcomed across the ladies membership with participation rates of up to 40% for club competitions.

Recently the R&A have identified three components that female golfers are looking for in the sport – Fitness, Friendship and Fun. For anyone who has walked the course over the Braid Hills at Mortonhall, fitness is an absolute given, while friendships are fostered through the mutual love of the individual, team and fun elements of the game.

And indeed, it’s fair to say that the lady members are making a pretty good job of having fun.  

Whilst other clubs were organizing their Ladies’ Centenary celebrations, the Mortonhall members recognized they’d be long gone by their Centenary in 2101.  So instead they organized a 10-year anniversary celebration with lots of fun golf events, a celebration lunch, quiz night and a charity Exhibition Match.  To commemorate the event, a trophy was donated in honour of the First Ladies of Mortonhall.  Needless to say the donors insist that the First Ladies Trophy competition is a fun event!

Over the last year the ladies section has been taken to a new level by Bev Winton, a member for 15 years and a former Convener on Council.  To celebrate a big birthday, she set herself a personal challenge of playing 60 Scottish golf courses she’d never played before within the year.  An open invitation to anyone who wished to accompany her to the various courses and competitions was taken up with gusto by many of the lady members.  Diaries were filled, and sat-navs fired up for trips to courses as far afield as Tain, Royal Dornoch and Southerness.

It turned out to be one of the most successful and enjoyable jamborees of golf ever for everyone involved - and it lasted a whole year!  The various clubs and local hotels visited were delighted to welcome the custom and new friends were made at clubs which may well not have been visited otherwise.

With such activity and enthusiasm within the section it’s not surprising that female membership is on the up as word is getting around that Mortonhall offers an excellent choice of club for female golfers of all ages and abilities. Enthusiasm has made things happen at Mortonhall and you have a feeling that it’s not going to stop there!

As Mortonhall looks to the future with excitement, they realise they have a great opportunity, and equally, a responsibility to grow the game. It is one of their key priorities to focus on this year - increasing the participation of girls and ladies with those who have already added so much to our club in the last 18 years.

Ladies & Girls “Get into Golf” Open Day Thursday 25 April 6:15 pm.

For more information visit: Mortonhallgc.co.uk

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