The LPGA and USGA on Wednesday announced updates to their gender policies that effectively ban most so-called transgender women (biological males) from participating on the women's tour. The update reverses a 2010 policy that allowed biological males to play as women, offering “gender reassignment” surgery and accompanying hormone treatment.
The new policy will take effect on January 1, 2025 and apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, LET, LETAS, LPGA Professional and Girls Golf. Unfortunately, carve-outs still exist for people who have sex reassignment surgery before puberty.
“We remain committed to providing opportunities for everyone to compete for national titles and teams, but given the current scientific data and “We have changed the eligibility criteria to reflect this and strive to maintain the integrity of the competition.” “Our updated policy reflects a thoughtful and thorough process in which the USGA consulted with leading medical experts around the world.”
shattered dreams
This means Scottish-born American golfer Hayley (formerly James) Davidson, who played as a man in college, will not be able to fulfill her dream of playing professional golf as a woman. Davidson was just a mid-major male golfer when he played at Wilmington University in Delaware.
“I can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson said on Instagram. “Expelled from Epson and the LPGA. All those who want to remain silent and 'neutral' are grateful for absolutely nothing.” This happened because of your silence. ”
In October, 275 players called for a reassessment of the policy after Davidson was included and participated in this year's LPGA Q-School. Ultimately, Davidson failed in her quest at Q School, but it still ignited resentment among female golfers.
What is essential for “honesty and fairness”
“The integrity and fairness of women's golf requires clear and consistent participation policies based on a player's enduring gender,” the letter states. “The gender differences between women and men have a particular impact on our sport of golf.”
And now, belatedly, the LPGA agrees.
“The LPGA has updated its gender policy regarding eligibility, effective for the 2025 season,” the women's golf governing body said in a statement. “This policy was developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders, with input from a working group of top medical, scientific, sports physiology, golf performance and gender policy law experts, and was developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders. It prioritizes the competitive integrity of elite amateur competition.”
“The working group advised that the influence of male puberty provides a competitive advantage in golf performance compared to players who do not experience male puberty.”
It seems ridiculous that the LPGA needed a “work group” to signal that men have certain physical advantages over women. Still, in the end I came to the right conclusion.
science based
“Our policy reflects a broad-based, science-based and comprehensive approach,” LPGA Commissioner Molly Marcoux Samaan said in a statement. “This policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that everyone feels welcome within our organization while maintaining fairness and competitive equity in elite competition. Masu.”
Attacks on female competitors by the transgender community are finally receiving the backlash they so richly deserve. Women's athletics is about finding the best athletes among women. The average male athlete does not have a second chance at the glory that he did not get by competing against other men.
