Equality Bill and Women Golfers

Any other ladies struggling with Equality Bill?

In our club, the effect seems to be just that we pay more fees!

We have an Equality Sub-Committee (3 men + 3 ladies).

We all went away and read the Bill and then had interesting, sensible discussions ending up with proposals which were then put to General Committee (all men).

These proposals, to date, have all been rejected.

Before you wonder if we are being unresaonable, these include suggestions that (e.g.) a past ladies' captain sits in with the panel to select incoming Club Captain; ladies' captain gets a vote on General Committee.

We are currently struggling with the thorny issue of women playing on a Saturday; the Committee seem to feel that they have met the statutory requirements if we are allowed to play at 4 pm after the men.

Any adviceout there?

Hi Jill, it does appear that these issues will continue for many a year to come.

One thing I can say is that if you are paying the same fees as the men then you should be entitled to the same playing rights as the men.

Why should women not play on a Saturday before 4pm if they pay the same money as the men?

It does appear that everything is going to be blocked by the all men committee!

I'm not sure how things work at your golf club but what about having a concerted effort at getting a couple of ladies voted onto the committee!

Russ

Jill, if you pay the same fees then ignore what the committee say, play before 4 pm. If they haul you up then simply state you will play only if they reduce your fees to a 'twilight rate' which at my club is 50% of the full fee. . You may wish to stand your ground and demmand to play at whatever time you want as it is a clear case of discrimination. They should back down as I'm sure they realise that there is no parity with the current situation

This may help, the 'Golf Club Management Publication from the GCMA (Golf Club Managers Association)' have a few relevant articles:

http://www.golfclubmanagement.net/tag/equality-act/

Michael Shaw: An introduction to the Equality Act

Brian Butler: An overview of the Equality Act

Adrian Houstoun: How the Equality Act affects how you employ staff