Women’s golf is founded and grounded in competition — the force that has shaped its players, its progress, and its enduring sense of community.

Championships, Competitions & Events

Introduction — Competition, Connection & Community

From the game’s earliest days, women’s golf has been built not just on competition, but on connection. The first women’s championships of the 1890s were as much about community and belonging as they were about winning — gatherings where players travelled long distances to test their skill, share their stories, and form friendships that lasted lifetimes.

For women, competition has always carried a deeper meaning. It created visibility in a game that once excluded them, and it built networks of loyalty that crossed clubs, counties, and countries. Every championship — from a local foursomes to an international match — has strengthened the sense of identity and shared purpose that defines women’s golf.

Over time, these traditions evolved into a remarkable global ecosystem of events, from junior championships nurturing the next generation to senior and super senior gatherings honouring decades of dedication. Through every age and era, women have used competition to create community — proving that the spirit of the game is not measured only in trophies, but in belonging, friendship, and continuity.

In 1927, Simone de la Chaume broke new ground when she won the Ladies open championship at Newcastle, County Down, Ireland. . Two years later, Joyce Wethered returned to win in dramatic style at St Andrews. And in 1929 the young Nan Baird claimed the Girls’ title.

Together, these moments span junior, amateur and international thresholds — telling a story of connection across generations, of women belonging to a competitive community, and of loyalty to the sport.

Archival film clips from British Pathé bring these moments alive — reminding us that competition is never just about winning, but about shared history, identity and the thread that links one generation of women golfers to the next.

Simone de la Chaume’s 1927 Breakthrough

In 1927, Simone de la Chaume of France became the first non-British winner of the Women’s Amateur Championship.

Her victory signals the internationalisation of women’s competitive golf and the growing sense of belonging to a global community of players.

Joyce Wethered’s 1929 Championship Victory

In 1929, Joyce Wethered made a dramatic return to competitive golf at the Women’s Amateur Championship (then known as the Ladies’ British Open Amateur) at St Andrews. She faced the American champion Glenna Collett and — after trailing by five holes at the turn — mounted a remarkable comeback to win 3 & 1.

This moment symbolises more than a championship win: it represents the power of legacy, return, and competition as a connective force across eras.

Here is the archival footage (via British Pathé) that captures the final:

In the same year, Nan Baird became the first Scottish winner of the Girls Amateur Championship (for under-18s), defeating Sylvia Bailey 4 & 3 in the final.

This victory emphasises the generational breadth of women’s competitive golf — juniors forging their paths, inspired by the champions of the era.

Here is footage from British Pathé of her win:

⛳ 1. Junior Girls (Under 18)

Overview

Junior golf marks the first step in a lifelong journey — where girls discover competitive play, teamwork, and belonging. Since the early 1900s, junior championships have shaped generations of players who later became national champions and leaders in the sport.

Key Championships

Commentary

Junior golf builds early identity and ambition. It teaches responsibility, respect, and resilience, while introducing girls to the global network of women’s golf that awaits them beyond youth competition.

2. Amateur Women (18+)

Overview

Amateur competition remains the heart of women’s golf, rooted in history and tradition. These championships showcase national pride, personal achievement, and lifelong friendship — values that define the women’s game as much as any title.

Key Championships

Commentary

Amateur golf is where many women form lasting connections and identities in the game. It demands commitment and balance — often pursued alongside study, careers, or family life — and continues to be the proving ground for future professionals and lifelong players alike.

3. Mid-Amateur Women (25+/30+)

Overview

The mid-amateur category was created to support women who continue to compete after university or early adulthood — often balancing golf with work, family, and community life. It bridges the transition between elite amateur play and senior competition.

Key Championships

Commentary — The Missing National Tier

Unlike the United States and parts of continental Europe, the Home Nations — England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland — have no dedicated women’s mid-amateur championships. While mid-amateur men’s events exist, women in this category compete either in open amateur fields or move directly into senior competitions at 50+. This absence highlights a significant gap in the competitive pathway: a stage where many skilled players are balancing careers, families, and reduced playing opportunities.

The lack of national mid-amateur structures means that women often lose access to representative or elite competition during their most experienced years — a period when their knowledge and leadership could enrich the wider game.

Pathway to Senior Competition

For many women, the transition from mid-amateur to senior golf marks a return to structured competition and community. The independent Veteran and Senior Women’s Golf Associations, founded in 1921, have long provided the opportunities missing at mid-amateur level — offering organised championships, inter-county and international matches, and lifelong participation beyond the national amateur system.

4. Senior Women (50+)

Overview

Senior women’s golf is one of the game’s oldest and most independent traditions. It began with the Veteran Ladies’ Golf Association (VLGA), founded in 1921 by Mabel Stringer to provide continued competition for experienced players. From this foundation grew a global network of Senior and Veteran Women’s Golf Associations, united by friendship, independence, and a shared passion for the game.

Key Championships

Commentary — An Independent Global Movement

Senior women’s golf remains proudly independent of governing bodies such as the R&A, USGA, or national golf unions. Yet its members are among the most skilled and experienced amateurs in the world — former national representatives and lifelong players.

This independence allows senior women to preserve values of inclusion, sportsmanship, and tradition. The movement is modernising too, with many associations adopting the name Senior Women rather than Veteran Ladies, reflecting contemporary values while maintaining continuity with their historic roots.

Pathway Beyond Senior Golf

For many, senior golf is a new beginning — leading to Super Senior competition that celebrates the enduring joy of playing and belonging.

5. Super Senior Women (65+/70+)

Overview

The Super Senior category honours longevity, vitality, and the lifelong commitment of women who continue to compete well into their later years. Emerging from senior divisions in the early 2000s, these events recognise players aged 65 and over, often extending to special categories for 70+.

Key Championships

Commentary — Celebrating Lifelong Golf

The Super Senior movement represents the culmination of a century-long tradition of keeping women in the game. Many participants began as juniors in the 1950s and 60s, continuing to contribute as competitors, volunteers, and leaders.

Super Senior events are about more than medals — they honour endurance, friendship, and the shared history of women’s golf.

Pathway — A Legacy of Continuity

Super Senior competition completes the women’s age-based pathway, linking generations through play and shared purpose. These players embody the heart of women’s golf — living proof that belonging, loyalty, and connection endure across a lifetime on the fairways.