University signs up to gender equality in golf in the sport’s ‘home town’

Tuesday 11 April 2023

The University of St Andrews has made an important commitment to gender equality in golf by signing The R&A Women in Golf Charter, which aims to increase the number of women and girls playing golf and working in the industry.

The charter was launched in 2018 by The R&A, the governing body for golf outside of the United States and Mexico, which is based in St Andrews, known as the ‘Home of Golf’. The University shares this historic connection with golf and has a long and proud tradition of golf scholarship and research.

The charter has several key principles, including strengthening the focus on gender balance and diversity within the golf industry; promoting the recruitment, retention and progression of women in golf; encouraging more girls to take up golf as a sport; and ensuring that golf clubs are inclusive and welcoming to all. By signing the charter, the University of St Andrews is showing its commitment to these principles and to creating a more inclusive and diverse golf community.

The University’s commitment to the Women in Golf Charter is part of a wider effort to promote gender equality in sports and academia. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in all areas of life, and sports organisations and academic institutions have been working to address issues of gender inequality and discrimination.

The Women in Golf Charter is a powerful tool for driving change in the golf industry, and by signing it, the University is helping to create a more equitable and inclusive future for the sport. By signing the charter, the University of St Andrews is demonstrating its leadership in this area, and setting an example for other universities, golf clubs, and sports organisations to follow.

In practical terms, signing the Women in Golf Charter means that the University will be working to promote gender equality and diversity in its own golf programmes and facilities, as well as in the wider golf community. This may include initiatives to encourage more women and girls to take up golf, providing support and opportunities for women golfers and coaches, and working to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all golfers.

Saints Sport Director of Golf, Ian Muir, said: “The Women in Golf Charter is an important step forward for gender equality in golf, and the University of St Andrews’ commitment to the charter is a significant contribution to this effort. By working together to promote diversity and inclusion in the sport, we can create a future where golf is truly open and accessible to all.”


About Saints Sport

Saints Sport manages all sport and fitness related activities, services, and facilities at the University of St Andrews: Saints SportPerformance ProgrammePartnerships.

Saints Sport at the University of St Andrews aims to provide a comprehensive and world-renowned programme for its performance golfers through golf scholarships, which provide all the resources needed for players to take their games to the next level whilst studying at St Andrews. The scholarships are supported and funded through the 600 Club, a community of donors and supporters around the world, alongside Saints Sport, The R&A, and the St Andrews Links Trust.

Saints Golf, the University of St Andrews’ student golf programme, hosts more than 350 members, delivers lessons to hundreds of beginners each year through the student golf club, and partners the St Andrews Links Trust. Five teams compete in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) and were crowned British student match play champions in 2022. Numerous scholars have won events this year on the BUCS Strokeplay Tour and the R&A Student Tour Series.

Saints Golf performance scholars represent the University in tournament golf around the world, competing domestically within the BUCS calendar and across Europe as part of The R&A Elite Student Tour. Additional competitive opportunities include invites to high-level tournaments in North and South America.

Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office.

Category Sport

Related topics

Share this story