Mixed-Gender European Event Could Raise Profile Of Women's Golf

Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam will host the Stockholm-based event next Juneeuropean tour

The European Tour and Ladies European Tour have announced the creation of the Scandinavian Mixed, an event next year that brings "male and female tour pros together to compete in the same tournament for the same prize money," according to Ryan Herrington of GOLF DIGEST. The inaugural Scandinavian Mixed will be played June 11-14, 2020 in Stockholm. With Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam hosting the event, 78 men and 78 women "will play." Specific logistical questions such as format, pairings and course set-up "are still to come." The two tours have "signed on for a three-year commitment to the Scandinavian Mixed." Along with the Vic Open, the European Tour has "experimented with mixed events by having female pros competing in the GolfSixes tournament" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 10/14).

POSITIVE STEP: GOLFCHANNEL.com's Randall Mell wrote the new event is "such good news" for women's golf. The European Tour is "now involved in five different mixed gender events." That is a "big deal, because while women are determined to get themselves to a more equitable place in the game, men offer platforms that can accelerate the process." The more men "share their stage ... the more opportunities women gain to build their fan bases." The event "figures to get plenty of attention" with its "historically unique appeal." Meanwhile, the PGA Tour and LPGA "continue to quietly work on playing their own event together as part of their newly formed alliance" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 10/14). GOLFWEEK's Alistair Tait wrote hopefully this type of tourney "will become the norm." The game’s authorities "need to do everything they can to attract new players, especially younger players." Anything that is "different, out of the ordinary has to be good for the game" (GOLFWEEK.com, 10/14). Golf Channel’s Robert Damron: “You've got to love the European Tour's ability and desire to change and keep going and not be afraid to try things" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 10/14).