Women allowed to play Newcastle golf club for 1st time in 112 years

After 112 years, the ladies at Newcastle golf club have been allowed to play golf on Saturdays.

Ladies President Jenny Thompson said: "Because women stayed at home and men went to work it was felt that women who took up the game could play during the week and leave Saturdays free for the men."

Ladies first. Well, eventually, anyway...

The rule allowing women on a Saturday had actually been in the constitution for several years, however it was only implemented recently, following a change in the board. Presumably the previous board bias was to 'keep things traditional'

Unsurprisingly, the move is being seen as somewhat overdue.

"Our current board was fully supportive and encouraged this to happen whereas previously at Newcastle that wasn't the case," Ms Thompson said.

A woman yesterday...

"In reality, if a women or group of women had previously wanted to force the issue and play on a Saturday they could have done so but it would have been with quite a lot of opposition from the leadership of the club at the time.

"Now all the members of the board and our new President have been fully supportive of it and we've been able to do it congenially and comfortably within the club and that's been important for us."

Macquarie University Professor Catharine Lumby said the concept that men needed to have Saturday's to themselves was "ludicrous".

"I think gender discrimination in this era is ridiculous, everybody knows it," she said.

"Many women, myself included, are the breadwinners in their families, so maybe an afternoon on Saturday is the only time they have to have a bit of self time, and that could include a bit of golf."

A man looking unconvinced about this sudden turn of events at Newcastle Golf Club yesterday...

Newcastle Golf Club Director Edward Geschke said the decision was a "no-brainer".

"It's wonderful that it's happening and I'm very proud to be part of a board that's made it possible," he said.

"The men were very positive, they were so welcoming."

"It's very important for all the ladies to feel included, whether it's at a golf course or wherever in whatever sport they're playing, I'd had no negative comments, nothing to suggest any animosity at all."

The move is considered an important one for a club as old as Newcastle.

"Newcastle Golf Club has long remained in the country's top 20 clubs and I think for a club of our long history and status it's really important that we finally made this change," Ms Thompson said.

But there are still other clubs around Australia who have similar rules against women playing on Saturdays.

"One by one the dominoes are falling so to speak," Ms Thompson said.

"There are still famous Australian clubs like The Australian in Sydney and quite a number of other clubs in Sydney that don't have women on a Saturday."

Women, eh? Can't play with them, can't play without them...