That is not a criticism of Minjee Lee, mind, just an observation from limited interaction at various Australian tournaments over the years.
Not everybody is wired for the spotlight (and Minjee might actually be a little shy) or prone to deep philosophical thought about the game.
However, she did say one thing in her post round press conference that really struck a chord.
The exchange had nothing to do directly with the achievement of capturing one of the game’s Grand Slam events but it did raise some important questions about golf’s past, present and future relationship with women.
“If golf doesn’t find a way to attract and keep more women playing, how many Hannah Greens or Minjee Lees might simply opt for cricket, soccer or AFL in the future?” – Rod died.
Asked about her formative years as a golfer in Perth, Minjee gave the following response:
“I play at Royal Fremantle Golf Club, so there was actually not too many girls when I was growing up that were members there. So, you know, I really just practiced by myself.
“But there was a lot of like boys coming up, I guess, here and there. But I sort of didn’t really mix with them, to be honest.”
There are similar overtones in what Minjee is saying and the well documented path of Australia’s previous major champion, Hannah Green.
Green has been open about almost quitting golf as a youngster because of a lack of other girls her age to play with.
She credits the junior program at Mt Lawley – and the excellent work of organisers Sue Thomson, Shirley Reynolds and Shonna Gobby at the time – with keeping her in the game.
While Minjee isn’t a product of Mt Lawley (and it’s possible the more solitary nature of her experience at Royal Fremantle was the appeal of golf for her) it does beg the question: for every Minjee Lee and Hannah Green who stuck with the game despite these early experiences, how many potentially world beating women has golf simply lost?
It’s an unanswerable question, of course, but it does seem reasonable to speculate that the number might be significant.
And in a sporting market where options for women are – rightly – ever expanding, golf perhaps stands to lose even more.
If golf doesn’t find a way to attract and keep more women playing, how many Hannah Greens or Minjee Lees might simply opt for cricket, soccer or AFL in the future?
Golf Australia’s Vison 2025 is an excellent program and is unquestionably having an impact in attracting more women to the game.
But top-down programs can only achieve so much. Real inclusion can only happen from the bottom up, when the (predominantly male) hierarchy encourage daughters and wives and sisters and friends to play.
When clubs actively welcome and embrace the presence of women, on and off the course.
When golfers make the effort, really.
So, if you are a golfer and you are celebrating and enjoying Minjee Lee’s fabulous achievement overnight in France, take a moment to reflect.
Ask yourself if you are doing anything to make the game more inclusive and if not, why not.
Because in the end it will be up to those of us who play the game to take responsibility for how it looks. And that requires all of us to do our bit.
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