Michigan Women’s Golf Association: 40 Years
By Janina Parrott Jacobs
The golf weather gods smiled on the Michigan Women’s Golf Association (MWGA) with brilliant blue skies for their 40th anniversary celebration on May 18 at Edgewood Country Club in Commerce, Michigan. Golf, dinner, and an awards program attracted 25 teams, past members, and various representatives of the golf community.
As the climate of women’s golf continues to evolve into the game’s fastest growing demographic, MWGA’s constant advocacy for acceptance has played a major role on many levels and continues to shape women’s golf history both locally and nationally.
Presenting sponsor and host Pat Meyers is one of 20 Founders of the association, created in 1986 when a strong, collective voice was needed to promote women’s golf. Since then, milestone events have marked each decade of MWGA’s existence, with the 30th anniversary establishing the MWGA Golf Hall of Fame in 2016. There are now 31 members, with the induction of golf professional and professional musician, Anne Gajda and past-president of the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) and attorney, Judy Lazzaro.
“From our earliest tournaments to today’s competitive, educational, and charitable programs, MWGA has remained committed to its founding mission: creating equitable opportunities while championing the spirit of the game,” said MWGA President Kathy Stellema. “Our journey has been shaped by volunteers, leaders, and members whose dedication has built not just an organization, but a community grounded in integrity, respect, and perseverance.”
Prior to 1986, few women’s golf organizations existed, and then, mostly at private clubs.
“In the 1960’s, public women players faced systemic barriers which limited their ability to learn, compete, and advance in the sport.” said Sara Wold, an MWGA Founder, and GAM past-president. “With few female professionals, lessons were limited and handicapping for public players was unavailable, making equitable competition difficult.”
In 1977, the USGA created the Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship (WAPL) - 55 years after the men’s USGA APL championship began - giving validation to all public players who had few opportunities to compete. Michigan women wasted no time in setting up qualifiers and in those first years, several local women competed in national events held at stellar locations from Myrtle Beach, SC to Kapalua, Hawaii.
From 1977 to 1985 the need became even more evident that an organization was vital. Wold’s trailblazers formed the MWGA with this simple premise: women with skill and talent, regardless of age, background, or privilege, deserved access to the same opportunities as others.
Entries into the WAPL soared at multiple sites, and for years, Michigan sent the most national qualifiers. The USGA ceased hosting the WAPL and APL in 2014 when nationally, solely public tournaments were no longer deemed necessary.
Before 1992, an archaic practice prevailed at private clubs and some public courses, restricting women from weekend morning tee times. This ended with Senator Lana Pollack’s bill amending Michigan’s civil rights law against such discrimination. And, prior to 1998, the Michigan Women’s Amateur was open only to private club players, except for limited special invitations. MWGA lobbied for change and GAM took over the event in 1998, opening entries to all women.
Branching out to three states, MWGA’s visionaries created the Women’s Interstate Mid-Amateur Golf Championship (WIMAGC) and persuaded the USGA to do the same. The Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship was born, for women over 25, providing a chance for post-collegiate golfers to compete.
Formed in 2006, the LPGA/USGA MWGA Girls’ Golf Program continues as one of the association’s proudest achievements, annually allowing 60+ girls in underserved communities to learn and improve their game.
Over the years, the organization has won significant honors including GAM’s inaugural Champion of Diversity award. What’s next? Be the change: to join or volunteer, visit: www.mwgolf.org.
