The Ladies’ Golf Union has finalised a Gender Policy Document that will now be an integral element of the Conditions of Competition for all championships run under the auspices of the LGU .
This new policy has been drawn up in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and seeks to secure the concept of fair competition for all women golfers.
Now, in addition to players who are ‘female at birth’ a player who has had the female gender assigned at some later stage will be permitted to take part in LGU competitions, provided proof of gender can be provided.
The policy document lays out in detail the method by which ‘proof of gender’ must be provided and allows for an appeals procedure should there be a dispute.
“It has taken a considerable time to finalise the Gender Policy document and we are convinced that we have a document that is fair to all,” said Andy Salmon, CEO of the Ladies’ Golf Union.
“I do not believe that there will be any great effect on our championships but for one or two individuals our Gender Policy will now present them with a realistic opportunity of competing at the top level of amateur or professional golf.”
In effect, this would mean that Denmark’s Mianne Bagger will be able to compete in the Weetabix Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale this summer.
Bagger was born a man in Copenhagen in 1966 and was a four-handicapper when she began her transformation in 1992. The sex-change operation came three years later and she resumed playing in 1998.
After turning professional in 2003 she came through with flying colours at the Robe di Kappa Ladies European Tour qualifying school at the end of last season and can now enter the qualifying tournament for the Weetabix Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale from July 28-31.
