From Gordon G Simmonds

Colin
I refer to your "personal view" expressed recently (scroll down to find the image of the European title-winning Ireland girls team and the article below it) about the problem of girls by-passing their age groups and playing as seniors too quickly.
Clearly, girls mature far more quickly than the boys and for those few who become competitive in the game it will happen (with only rare exceptions) before they are 16.
Given the dearth of quality in women's amateur golf generally, the obvious avenue to fulfill potential is entry to major open competition from the age of 15 or, for some, even less.
Now, perhaps, in recognition of reality, is the time for the women's golfing authorities to consider lowering the 'girls' competition age limit to 16 internationally.
Unlike the boys, there will be no girls who have not made it in serious competition by the age of 16, who will subsequently 'develop' into international stars between the ages of 16 and 18 through 'girls' tournament golf.
Indeed, I can't recall too many 'women' competing in the later stages of the US Women's Amateur over the age of 20 in recent years, with many aged between 14 and 18.

Gordon G. Simmonds LLB DLP
Managing Director
GGS International Consultancy

+You can E-mail your view on any golf topic to Colin@scottishgolfview.com as long as it is of a constructive nature and does not single out any person for criticism.