Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club’s Barbara Tucker wins Women in Golf award for innovative Blue Course programme

Barbara Tucker triumphed at the Women in Golf Awards thanks to her innovative programme to get more females on the course at Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club.

She landed the PING-sponsored Women’s Initiative prize at Foxhills, in Surrey, on November 28.

Tucker created the Blue Course scheme when she was lady captain at the Dunmow Road club in 2014 to address the issues which were preventing and discouraging women from learning golf and joining the club.

The blue course has significantly shorter tees, provides group lessons, gives free use of facilities and hosts social events as well as rules seminars alongside experienced golfers.

A decade on, it can be credited with providing an influx of new members which has ensured the ladies’ section continues to thrive. The current ladies’ section treasurer, secretary, competitions secretary and lady captain are all Blue Course alumnae.

“Barbara is such an incredible woman whose passion for golf has inspired her to take action,” said awards founder Nicole Wheatley.

“Her Blue Course initiative was well ahead of its time and is a fantastic demonstration of what golf clubs need to do to attract more people into golf.”