From the Clubhouse: Is this the future of men and women playing together in competitions?
What does the future look like for women’s membership? At Woolley Park, the club have an innovative approach to the game in most of their tournaments – play if you like, with whom you like, and from whichever tees you like.
In this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll is joined by NCG’s Hannah Holden and the family-run Yorkshire club’s Emily Rowbottom to discuss their mixed tee policy and the obstacles that still face women in golf.
Should you be able to play from whatever tee you wish in a competition? Does it really matter if events aren’t mixed?
What does the future look like for women’s membership? At Woolley Park, the club have an innovative approach to the game in most of their tournaments – play if you like, with whom you like, and from whichever tees you like.
In this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll is joined by NCG’s Hannah Holden and the family-run Yorkshire club’s Emily Rowbottom to discuss their mixed tee policy and the obstacles that still face women in golf.
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
