Golf New Zealand are teeing up some big goals in the next five years on the back of Lydia Ko's recent successes on the greens — including reviving the New Zealand Women's Open Championship.
Ko's gold medal and third major win last month have inspired many but Golf NZ chief executive Jeff Latch told 1News this was a watershed moment that can help grow the women's game in Aotearoa.
“We see first-hand how Lydia's success globally and her achievements on the world stage encourage young girls to pick up a club and have a crack at golf," Latch said.
"It's a remarkable impact that this sort of success can have on our sport like ours.
"So from where we're standing, we just want to see if we can maximise the value on Lydia's amazing achievements by bringing more women and girls into the game of golf."
Lydia Ko after winning the Women's British Open golf championship, in St Andrews, Scotland. (Source: Associated Press)
It's not a completely new goal for Golf NZ, having previously established the "She Loves Golf" initiative — an approach focused on creating social experiences for women of all ages and experiences to try the game through events, promotions and other activities at more than 300 clubs throughout the country.
Golf NZ general manager of participation, Vicky Meilei, added they wanted to expand on the programme moving forward and with Ko's success have set a target of doubling female participation in golf over the next five years.
"We had over 350 opportunities to participate in She Loves Golf last year," Meilei said.
"We've seen a massive growth in numbers of people wanting to participate and some of them then go on to play traditional golf... we are seeing a growth already.
"But I think, off the back of Lydia winning and the inspiring story of what she's achieved, we'll see more girls and women wanting to be involved."
With that in mind, Golf NZ has begun talks to add two female golf events to the Kiwi calendar — including the revival of the Women's Open after it went on indefinite hiatus following the 2017 event.
Ko, a three-time winner, is "incredibly keen and passionate to see if she can help" with its return, Latch said.
Lydia Ko with her gold medal. (Source: Associated Press)
"We're going to catch up with her later in the year to see how we can actually advance that," he added.
"We've had preliminary conversations with Major Events New Zealand — they're also supportive of actually having a big women's event in New Zealand.
"It's going to take time, but we're confident that we will be able to get that event back up and running."
In the meantime, Golf NZ was also in talks to bring the Women’s Asia Pacific Amateur Championship to Aotearoa too, with 2026 pencilled in for its arrival pending funding and approval.
"It gives an opportunity for all our up and coming best women amateur golfers to participate and see what it's like to play the world's best," he said.
But for those looking to simply pick up a club for recreation, Meilei said that's welcome too.
"We're encouraging people to get out to driving ranges, into virtual golf, into mini golf with their families and friends," she said.
"It's all about having fun."
If anyone knows that, it's probably Lydia Ko.
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