Sportswomen share experiences of sexism and the reasons they do not report it

A golfer shares her experiences of sexism while playing in pro-ams, where a professional plays with male amateurs who are sometimes affiliated with sponsors of a tournament.

“It’s the perpetual comments on your physique. I’ve had guys jokingly propose to me on the second hole and then do it again five holes later, then again on the next hole, to the point that it gets awkward, uncomfortable and too persistent.

“It’s not appropriate for the context and environment that we’re in. It’s disrespectful – it should be about my golf, not those sorts of things.

“There are always questions like: ‘Do you have a boyfriend? How’s your dating life?’ Things that they probably wouldn’t ask guys.

“I’ve had a few experiences like that in pro-ams. It’s frustrating. There’s not really anything you can do or say about it because they’re sponsors.

“A lot of the time they’re people who are literally allowing you to play in this event and make a living. They kind of take advantage of that a bit. We’re so reliant on these people.

“There’s nothing we can do without fear of losing sponsorship or losing future opportunities. If you stand up for yourself, they’re just going to be like: ‘Oh, she’s no fun.’ You have to tread very carefully.

“For the most part, in terms of sexism in women’s golf, the people we come into contact with are super supportive of women’s golf.

“It’s more the outside people looking in who don’t understand it. That’s where the issues lie.

“It isn’t every time. I have had some incredible pro-am experiences that I wouldn’t change. It’s just a couple of times a year. You know as soon as you get on the first tee if it’s going to be a rough one.

“I know the other girls in the field are experiencing the same thing so I’m sure there are a couple of us every week that experience some form of inappropriateness and disrespect that is frustrating.”