A Note From Dale Hayes
Dale Hayes A NOTE FROM DALE - SEPTEMBER 2026
We've had plenty happening over winter, with some excellent golf and several very successful events. A particular highlight was our Ladies Golf Festival in August, which welcomed ladies from across South Africa.
It also got me thinking about the growth of women's golf more broadly… Women’s golf is growing at an incredible rate!
More women are travelling to play golf, discovering new courses and enjoying everything the game has to offer.
Women now make up around one third of golfers worldwide. While South Africa has not yet seen growth on quite the same scale, it’s estimated that around 20% of our golfers are women, with an encouraging number of younger players taking up the game.
Some of this growth can be attributed to increased television exposure. South Africa also has a flourishing Sunshine Ladies Tour, which attracts players from all over the world. Prize money on the LPGA Tour has increased by 90% since COVID.
At Gowrie Farm, we are fortunate to have a thriving Ladies Section, which recently hosted a superbly successful Ladies Golf Festival. There were 104 ladies in attendance from across South Africa, and they left Gowrie Farm raving about the event, the food, the golf course and the service. Well done to Deidre and her team!
I attended a golf day in Cape Town a week later and met a lady who told me it was the best ladies event she had ever attended. Credit must also go to Phil Simmons for the role he has played in growing the Ladies Section at Gowrie Farm into what it is today.
A strong and vibrant ladies section ensures a strong Club!
Dale