Women’s golf awards to become annual celebration

A celebration of the contribution of women to the game of golf will become a “significant” annual event, organisers have predicted.

The first Women In Golf Awards ceremony was held last week, with figures from all areas of the game honoured.

Amid growth in the number of women holding key positions in golf, the celebration is predicted to grow.

“I have no doubt that this event will become a significant date in the calendar for men and women alike,” said co-founder Ben Blackburn.

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“It’s clear that the Women in Golf Awards can play an important role in attracting the best female talent to golf and in nurturing our future leaders.”

“Our winners are all excelling in their respective areas of the industry, but most significantly every award winner we have heard from tonight is committed to making golf better for the women who play the sport, or the women who have chosen golf as a career,” added co-founder Nicole Wheatley.

Several awards were dished out on the night, including venue of the year, which went to Highwood Golf Club, while Wenove Castle head greenkeeper Lucy Sellick won the trailblazer prize.

Emma Booth of Winchester Golf Academy was named unsung hero, Surprizeshop was announced as brand of the year and the women’s initiative award went to the R&A for its Women’s Leadership Development Programme and Project Ukraine.

The night’s biggest award, the inspirational achievement prize, went to IMG’s Vicky Cuming in recognition of her outstanding 30-year career in management and promotion of the women’s game.

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“I’ve never really been aware of barriers, but I would say that when I started I couldn’t have sat in a room full of women working in the industry – so we have made some progress,” she said.

“It’s a great time for women’s golf and for women’s sport and I feel that all of us have a responsibility that golf keeps up with those other sports.

“Let’s make sure this becomes an annual event. It’s so important for us to keep supporting each other.”