A new Women & Golf feature to showcase the county associations that help to promote and develop golf for women and girls across the UK and Ireland

County Golf Associations play a vital role in promoting and organising amateur golf at county level. These associations are responsible for supporting the development of golfers by coordinating competitions, providing coaching opportunities, and fostering a sense of community among players. They organise county matches, championships, and events that encourage participation across all skill levels, from grassroots to elite. Additionally, they serve as a link between local clubs and national golfing bodies, ensuring that golf, and more specifically in this case women's golf, continues to grow and thrive within the region.

We're delighted to kick off our new County Profile articles by featuring Cambs & Hunts Women's Golf, the relatively small but mighty women's county golf association who are making big strides in the women's and girls' golf space.

Introduction to Cambs & Hunts Women's Golf (CHWGL)

Cambs & Hunts Women's Golf (CHWGL), formerly known as the Cambs & Hunts Ladies Golf Association (CHLCGA), boasts a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1932. The association underwent a significant transformation in January 2021, incorporating and adopting the name Cambs & Hunts Women’s Golf Ltd. This change was spurred by a proposal from a senior member of one of the region’s largest and oldest affiliated clubs, positioning CHWGL as one of the pioneers in embracing the term "Women’s Golf."

Affiliation and Membership

CHWGL is a relatively small organisation compared to other counties, with 19 affiliated clubs and approximately 1,400 women golfers. Provisional data from England Golf suggests that CHWGL has one of the highest ratios of female to male golfers within the country. Membership across affiliated clubs varies significantly, with some clubs having as few as 20 women members, while others boast over 200. The clubs also differ in their course offerings, with three 9-hole courses and one club featuring two 18-hole courses.

Engagement and Support

CHWGL places a strong emphasis on fostering a close-knit community among its affiliated clubs. Each club has a named representative who plays a key role in maintaining communication and collaboration with CHWGL. At the beginning of each year, a joint meeting is held, bringing together CHWGL Directors, Officers, and representatives, as well as the captains and vice-captains from each club. In addition to this annual gathering, CHWGL conducts three general meetings per year, alongside the usual AGM. Participation levels in these meetings are consistently high, earning praise from regional England Golf Officers.

Communication between meetings is maintained through regular email updates, ensuring that members stay informed and engaged. CHWGL also organises a diverse range of county golf competitions catering to women of all skill levels. The competition calendar includes popular events such as the Am-Am tournaments, which are highly anticipated and often fully subscribed shortly after registration opens. While participation levels in individual competitions can vary, this trend mirrors a broader decline in individual competition participation across the sport.

Junior Section

CHWGL is proud of its dynamic Junior Section, which comprises 25-30 young girls aged 7 to 18, with handicaps ranging from 0.5 to 54. The association has garnered positive feedback from parents, who appreciate the welcoming and supportive environment that CHWGL provides. The Junior Section offers a robust progression route, guiding players from novice to scratch levels. Some of CHWGL’s juniors have even secured scholarships to the United States and pursued professional careers in teaching and touring.

Sarah Smith pictured second from right with CHWGL juniors and representatives

The Junior Section benefits from the expertise of Sarah Smith, a club PGA professional who herself came up through CHWGL’s junior pathway. Chloe, the current County Junior Organiser (CJO), also rose through the ranks of the Junior Section. The success of the Junior Section is evident in their multiple victories in the East Region Junior Team Trophy.

England Golf East Region Involvement

CHWGL is an active member of the East Region Competition Coordination Group, which comprises six counties. The association plays a vital role in organising at least one regional competition each year on a rotational basis. CHWGL encourages its members to participate in these events, which include three county match days for 1st and 2nd teams, as well as junior girls. Despite being a small county with a limited pool of players, CHWGL consistently performs admirably in these competitions.

Grant Funding and Junior Bursary Scheme

CHWGL manages the Daphne Haddock Fund, established from a bequest by a Past County Captain. In 2022, the association decided to allocate this fund to two key initiatives, supplemented by additional funding from the England Golf iGolf grant program.

  1. Grants to Women’s Sections at Clubs: Women’s sections are invited to apply for grants of up to £500 annually. These grants are specifically targeted at projects aimed at increasing women and girls’ participation in golf. To date, CHWGL has awarded nine grants, totaling £4,000.
  2. Junior Bursary Scheme: Juniors are invited to apply for bursaries of up to £500 each year. These funds can be used to cover fees, travel, and accommodation costs related to coaching by a PGA-qualified professional, entry to East Region or national England Golf junior events, or participation in regional/national training programs. So far, CHWGL has awarded 11 bursaries, totaling £4,600.

County President’s Junior Fundraiser

Each year, the County President organises an Am-Am tournament with the goal of raising funds to support the Junior Section, particularly its coaching program. This fundraiser has been highly successful, generating between £4,000 and £5,000 annually since 2021.

Conclusion

For a small county, CHWGL is justifiably proud of its achievements and the strong support it provides to its affiliated clubs and junior golfers. Through its commitment to fostering participation, nurturing talent, and promoting a positive golfing environment, CHWGL continues to make a significant impact on women's and girls' golf in the Cambs & Hunts region.

Find out more about the CHWGL by visiting their website here.