David Schwarz has become embroiled in a sexist controversy at a prestigious golf club in Victoria after three members were expelled after protesting against a cheaper membership offer for women.
Melbourne football great Schwarz has revealed he is friends with the trio, named Terry, Nigel and Kevin, who were handed two-month bans from Victoria’s 13th Beach Golf Links after one of them dressed as a woman and asked about the membership deal.
“It was a joke… I’m one of those members who would love a six-day membership because I don’t play golf at the weekend,” Schwarz, who won the Demons’ best and fairest award in 1999, told the Herald Sun.
“I’ve been a member for 15 years and I’ve never played a weekend, I’ve never played in a club championship and I would love the opportunity to be a member for six days.”
Schwarz added that many club members share his opinion and that 130 of them signed a petition calling for the removal of president Grant Phelps.
“I understand that we want to grow the game and we want more women and anything they can do to get more women playing, we’re all for that, but this is not the right way to do it,” she said.
“I think what most other clubs around Victoria do is offer a discount on the membership fee for junior members and that’s certainly one way to get more participants, but to isolate a section with a special membership is totally unfair and probably not well thought out because there are a lot of people who find it difficult financially to pay their membership fees every year.”
David Schwarz has waded into the mess surrounding one of Victoria’s most prestigious golf clubs.
The 13th Beach Golf Links has been caught in a storm of sexism in recent months
Schwarz said the latest dispute is one of several issues that have divided the club, including recent renovations that have “raised some eyebrows.”
A teenager was also suspended for posting on social media that cakes were more expensive at the club than at the MCG, although that decision was successfully appealed.
“There have been many mistakes where I believe members have not been consulted,” he said.
“And when you try to prove something, it’s like the fucking Gestapo.”
Explaining the reason for the latest suspensions, general manager Rob Hurley said the trio allegedly violated club policies “by treating staff with disrespect, filming them without their consent and then posting that video on a messaging service.”
“The suspension was not related to the dress code chosen by the members,” he said.
’13th Beach has a clear process for dealing with complaints regarding member behaviour, and the process for this matter is still ongoing. 13th Beach is committed to protecting and providing a safe working environment for its staff.’
Golf Australia’s James Sutherland backed the club, saying the organisation strongly opposes “individuals who protest, harass or campaign against efforts to redress historical under-representation in our sport”.
“We want golf to be a sport for everyone. We firmly believe that everyone can be a golfer and that people should feel welcome and included in our golf community,” he said.
A golf club member was suspended after dressing up as a woman at a protest
‘There have been some incredible success stories in recent times where clubs have transformed themselves in line with the ambition of golf being a fun and welcoming community sport. We therefore strongly support 13th Beach Golf Links’ initiative to try and grow and diversify its membership base.
‘Behaviour that opposes golf’s ambition to become more inclusive, whether it be towards women, young people, people with disabilities or people from culturally diverse backgrounds, only reinforces the perception that golf is stuck in the past and refuses to change.
“This type of behaviour should not be tolerated and should be challenged by the wider golf community.”
13th Beach has announced new special offers aimed at encouraging more female players to take part. The club aims to increase female membership from the current 18 per cent to 30 per cent by 2027.
In May, the club said on social media that the new membership arrangements provided “the perfect opportunity for women new to golf, or experienced golfers,” to play at 13th Beach Golf Links, located near Barwon Heads.
Last month, Phelps said only 10 women had accepted the six-day membership deal and defended the move.