The Women’s PGA Championship (KPMG) from last year. Photo taken by Kayla Jones.
In professional golf, the age-old question of “why aren’t the women paid as much as the men?” usually sparks a conversation when it comes to T.V. viewership. In order to increase the prize money, we must get sponsors; in order to get sponsors, we must get eyeballs on T.V. screens. It’s a vicious cycle, to say the least.
Sports fans, and in-turn television viewers, can be placed into categories. You have your die-hards who never miss a game. You have the types that watch when their favorites are playing. And you have those like me, who just like sports. Who, more specifically, tune in when something particularly exciting is happening- like the championship game, a record about to be broken, or hell I don’t know, a 4-way playoff for the win of an LPGA tournament. Sounds like something (ahem, The Pelican Championship) from over the weekend, right?
The problem is, it wasn’t on T.V.
Yep, the coverage for the Pelican Championship was cut short, when Nelly and Lexi were neck and neck in the final round. Could you ever imagine that happening to a PGA Tour event?
A whole demographic of “I’m just here for a good time” sports fans got out their popcorn only to find out they missed the show. Those are the viewers that, while they may not have a large impact on Men’s Golf views, they’re vital to Women’s. There is value in that viewership. But there’s also incredible value in the women’s side of the game.
Like Men’s golf, there are incredible stories of defeat and triumph to be told. There are interesting players that would build a fan base in an instant if the world got to know their hearts. There are lessons to be learned about grit, resilience, integrity, sportsmanship, and of course, how to hit the perfect flop shot. And yes, there is always value.
Even more so, there is value in the work that these women put in. I would know, as I’ve toughed it out with some of the best. There is value in their blood, sweat, and tears and the fact that they play- not necessarily for the bags of money- but for the joy of the game. And to be a figure of importance for other women and girls.
Let’s face it, the LPGA Tour is severely undervalued. But that does not decrease what it’s worth. While it may not be as viewed as widely as its’ male counterpart, it is loved deeply by those who see it for what it truly is.
We can debate all day long about this issue, what the solution is, or whether there is a solution at all. I don’t have all the answers, but I do see what isn’t working. Sometimes you have to acknowledge that in order to start having conversations about solutions at all.
A fan base- and the Women’s game itself- can’t grow without accessibility. If the women were on T.V., a few more curious sports fans might stumble across an event; but that’s not the only answer. In a present time where streaming and socials are the rulers of the land, maybe there are more creative ways to get our players in front of eyeballs.
Take the PGA Tour for example, which owns their own media outlet and pours dollars into brands such as Skratch Golf, totaling over 500,000 followers on Instagram and 162,000 subscribers on YouTube. These are great ways that the LPGA Tour can take matters into their own hands without the help of a television network. What I’ve learned from the short time I’ve spent “adulting” in my life, is that sometimes the cards we are dealt are not our fault, however they do become our responsibility. Maybe it’s time to try something different, think out of the box, and turn a new leaf with the LPGA Tour.
Ultimately, these ideas only work with a universal change in mindset. It sounds like a lot to change the world, but sometimes it only means changing yourself. Our mindsets tend to have a domino effect on others. So, for the reader (or hater, as the social media gurus like to call them) that responds to all of this with: “Well, no one cares about women’s sports,” ask yourself; why don’t you? If you come up with an archaic answer, or something that you wouldn’t say to your daughter or mother, then maybe it’s time to re-evaluate.
I learned in high school that you’re supposed to end your persuasive essays with a call to action, so here it is: I challenge you to find one favorite female golfer (or athlete), learn her story, follow her stats. Just one. It’s a small step in the right direction.
And for the record, cool people care about women’s sports. That’s who.
Brittany Lincicome, LPGA player, will be featured on the Stick & Hack Show on November 30th. Check out how she feels about the coverage being cut off here.
Check out this week’s Stick & Hack Reacts to get Adam’s and Keith’s (unfiltered) takes on the drama.
