Golf: Newbrook's ban dropped by Bay of Plenty association

11.45am

Penny Newbrook will be able to compete against male golfers after all.

The Bay of Plenty Golf Association (BOPGA) has been forced into an embarrassing about-face over their decision to ban the golfer from competing in the interclub men's championship pennant.

BOPGA president Dan Dougherty said the executive committee was reconvened this morning and voted unanimously to allow the 20-year-old to compete in the men's event.

Only two days earlier the same committee defeated a motion allowing her to play.

A groundswell of support for Newbrook from affiliated golf clubs around the region effectively forced the association's hand.

However, the reversal only applies to Newbrook, and any other women who want to compete against the men will have to apply to the association.

The initial decision to ban Newbrook sparked claims of sexism and a strong rebuke from New Zealand Golf.

Today golfing great Sir Bob Charles waded into the debate, questioning why a woman would want to compete against men.

Newbrook made Bay of Plenty golfing history when she played for Rotorua club Springfield against Omanu on February 8. She halved her match with Omanu No 4 Justin Rasmussen.

The plus-one handicapper earned her place in the team by finishing fourth in a 17-player trial, shooting even-par off the men's tees at Springfield.

However, this week the Bay of Plenty Golf Association banned Newbrook from competing in the series again.

They claimed interclub pennant rules limited the competition to males and "the executive did not have the legal power to change the rules to allow women, as of right, to play".

But the decision angered New Zealand Golf chief executive Peter Dale, who came out swinging yesterday, saying he wanted the Bay association to reconsider.

Sir Bob was a little more diplomatic, saying while it was a contentious issue he preferred to sit on the fence.

But he did question why Newbrook would want to compete against men.

"It's bizarre that a woman would want to play in a men's event," he said.

"Should men be playing in women's events? What's good for the goose is good for the gander -- we've got to draw a line somewhere."

However, Sir Bob said he did not envy those who had the job of making the decisions.

"It's a changing world that we live in and I would not want to be making that call," he said.

"There have been test cases. Some women have done very well (women's world No 1 Annika Sorenstam and Hawaiian 14-year-old Michelle Wie) and some women like the British girl (Laura Davies) have said they would never do it again."

Sir Bob said there had to be rules in place across all fields of the game.

"You've got to realise there has to be a line in the sand. There are rules," he said.

"I certainly haven't tried to enter any LPGA tournaments in my time."

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES and NZPA