{"id":36500,"date":"2019-03-26T17:22:06","date_gmt":"2019-03-26T17:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=36500"},"modified":"2019-03-26T17:22:06","modified_gmt":"2019-03-26T17:22:06","slug":"meet-the-welsh-pro-golfer-calling-for-change-in-womens-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/03\/26\/meet-the-welsh-pro-golfer-calling-for-change-in-womens-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Welsh pro golfer calling for change in women\u2019s sport"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><figure id=\"attachment_36501\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36501\" style=\"width: 960px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-36501 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image1-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36501\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36501 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image1-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" \/><\/noscript> Tristan Jones Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">LYDIA Hall has been playing golf for 20 years but says something needs to be done if the women\u2019s game is to prosper.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hall, from Bridgend, has been with the Ladies European Tour for over 10 years but said uncertainty over the sport\u2019s future is rife.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe last six, seven years have been a massive struggle for<a href=\"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/03\/06\/watch-her-go-the-women-in-sport-calling-for-change\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> women\u2019s sport<\/a>. It\u2019s grown in Asia and the Middle East\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2014 golf specifically\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2014<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0but it\u2019s been difficult for the Ladies European Tour,\u201d said the 31-year-old.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">The problem? Hall says it all comes down to money, and there isn\u2019t the same financial support for the women\u2019s game as there is for men\u2019s golf.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cSince the economic crash, a lot of companies cut ties so sponsorship went out of the window.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt\u2019s difficult event-wise and personally. Without sponsorships I can\u2019t do my job.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hall recalled the halcyon days of her career before she had to worry about having enough sponsorships and prize funding to sustain her profession.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWhen I started the Ladies European Tour in 2008 it was at its peak. Looking back, what a lifestyle I had.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI was 19, 20, travelling all throughout Europe, which is a lot of people\u2019s dream, and doing a job I loved.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36502\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36502\" style=\"width: 960px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-36502\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-770x513.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-500x333.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-1155x770.jpeg 1155w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-370x247.jpeg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-293x195.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-1400x933.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36502\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-36502\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-770x513.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-500x333.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-1155x770.jpeg 1155w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-370x247.jpeg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-293x195.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3-1400x933.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image3.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/noscript> Tristan Jones Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">To the average onlooker, <a href=\"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/03\/08\/hi-tech-indoor-putting-green-improves-golfers-technique\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">professional golf<\/a> seems like an elite sport, but for female players it isn\u2019t as glamorous as you\u2019d expect.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe\u00a0have to\u00a0work extremely hard to get events in comparison to the guy\u2019s game really. It&#8217;s like this in every sport\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and also<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0every profession,\u201d Hall said.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cA couple of weeks ago my good friend Megan McLaren won the New South Wales Open in Australia and she won \u00a314,000 which is great earnings. But her last win was a year prior. You\u2019ve got to remember everything, all our flights and accommodation, is paid by us,\u201d she added.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">The yearly cost of events that\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0be covered by the golfer is usually not met by prize funding and sponsorship deals.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cMost of the time you\u2019ve spent \u00a32,000 before you\u2019ve even\u00a0teed\u00a0up on a Thursday to compete, so you know you\u00a0have to\u00a0finish in a certain position to get that money back and make some,\u201d Hall said.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI&#8217;m always looking for sponsors, because it costs two grand per event and I&#8217;ll be playing 20 events a year, so you\u2019re looking at \u00a340-50,000 just to cover expenses.&#8221;<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hall passionately defended the right for female players to be paid equally to their male counterparts.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe only way to earn is to finish high enough up, not everyone is guaranteed a pay cheque. And then obviously when we\u2019re playing for a fraction of what the guys\u00a0are &#8230;\u00a0I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll ever get parallel to them, but that\u2019s what we expect.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI think if we can just close that gap by just a small margin it will make the women\u2019s game, because a lot of girls are stopping now, I\u2019ve had to think about it the last two years, purely because if you can\u2019t get sponsorship, you can\u2019t afford to do it.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36503\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36503\" style=\"width: 960px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-36503\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image4-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36503\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-36503\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image4-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" \/><\/noscript> Tristan Jones Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cardiffian<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">asked Hall what could be done to end the disparity between sportsmen and women in terms of coverage, sponsorship and prize funding.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI think it ultimately starts with the media because people only can read what\u2019s in front of them, so I think if the media changes and there is an equal amount of words or pages for male and female, then that\u2019s the only way girls can see the inspiration.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We need to get more of a profile, more recognition, so we can grow and get better, get more events and then we\u2019re earning more money so we can stay playing.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIf that doesn\u2019t change in the next few years maybe the Ladies European Tour won\u2019t exist. Who knows?&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hall also mentioned the problem with the media being saturated with rugby and football, to the detriment of talented sportsmen and women.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">She said she almost felt lucky that she did not win the South African Women\u2019s Open last week, as her success would have been drowned out by rugby coverage.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt&#8217;s fantastic what the guys have done and it\u2019s going to grow Welsh rugby massively, but there are other sports in Wales for Welsh people to be proud of.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe media is just engulfed with rugby and football and until that slowly changes then we aren\u2019t going to grow the other sports, like cycling \u2013 what Geraint has done is unbelievable<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cT<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">here are so many individual sportsmen and women in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wales<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0but people have no idea because they don\u2019t get the credit for it.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36504\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36504\" style=\"width: 960px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-36504\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image2-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36504\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-36504\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image2-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" \/><\/noscript> Tristan Jones Photography.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<h3>What\u2019s next for Lydia Hall?<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After finishing in the top five in\u00a0the South African Women\u2019s Open, Hall has high hopes for the busy summer season ahead of her.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI found something with my golf swing on the Tuesday in South Africa to take into the tournament and it worked.\u00a0It was\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">pretty close<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0at times.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI had an eagle putt that shaved the edge of the hole on 16, which would have got me one shot within the lead. And the hole prior to that just lipped out on the par three. So, two shots and I was in a playoff.&#8221;<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Her next event in Jordan is the first of its kind, a mixed tournament where all players play for one prize.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt\u2019s our first event there, which should be interesting. It&#8217;s a new format \u2013 talking about equality, it\u2019s 40\u00a0LET players, 40\u00a0from the European\u00a0challenge tour and\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Staysure<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0tour (formerly known as the European Seniors\u00a0Tour),\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cSo, we\u2019re all playing in the same field for the same purse, so it\u2019ll be really exciting to play in that format and we\u2019re all playing for the one trophy,\u201d she added.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">She has previously attempted to get her tour card to play in American tournaments, but funding has meant this is a struggle for Hall.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt&#8217;s so expensive to compete over there with entry fees, that you need to have a strong backing financially because you\u2019re not playing for a good prize fund. Even finishing fifth you\u2019re not making a profit.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">This year, Hall has decided to focus her attention on European tournaments.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe&#8217;ve got a big summer coming up with the Scottish Open and the ladies British Open.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIf I can do well in those\u00a0events\u00a0then things can turn around and I&#8217;ll hopefully gain my card that way for the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association).\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cHopefully, I\u2019ll have a few top\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">fives<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and 10s\u00a0and be on good form because\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ultimately<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0I&#8217;d love to play in the Solheim Cup in Scotland in September. It&#8217;s a long way off for me\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">at the moment<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0but if I have a few good performances, you never know.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hall, who still trains with the coach she first started with 20 years ago, John Peters, and was the first woman to win a PGA title, has a bright future ahead of her.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">But that future rides on women\u2019s sport getting more exposure and more financial backing.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LYDIA Hall has been playing golf for 20 years but says something needs to be done if the women\u2019s game is to prosper.\u00a0\u00a0 Hall, from Bridgend, has been with the Ladies European Tour for over 10 years but said uncertainty over the sport\u2019s future is rife.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe last six, seven years have been a massive struggle for women\u2019s sport. It\u2019s grown in Asia and the Middle East\u00a0\u2014 golf specifically\u00a0\u2014\u00a0but it\u2019s been difficult for the Ladies European Tour,\u201d said the 31-year-old.\u00a0\u00a0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":36572,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,4],"tags":[6519,347,6686,6687,6688,897],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-36500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-longer-reads","category-sport","tag-female-sport","tag-golf","tag-ladies-european-tour","tag-lydia-hall","tag-south-african-womens-open","tag-womens-sport"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Meet the Welsh pro golfer calling for change in women\u2019s sport - The Cardiffian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/03\/26\/meet-the-welsh-pro-golfer-calling-for-change-in-womens-sport\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Meet the Welsh pro golfer calling for change in women\u2019s sport - The Cardiffian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"LYDIA Hall has been playing golf for 20 years but says something needs to be done if the women\u2019s game is to prosper.\u00a0\u00a0 Hall, from Bridgend, has been with the Ladies European Tour for over 10 years but said uncertainty over the sport\u2019s future is rife.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe last six, seven years have been a massive struggle for women\u2019s sport. It\u2019s grown in Asia and the Middle East\u00a0\u2014 golf specifically\u00a0\u2014\u00a0but it\u2019s been difficult for the Ladies European Tour,\u201d said the 31-year-old.\u00a0\u00a0 [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/03\/26\/meet-the-welsh-pro-golfer-calling-for-change-in-womens-sport\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Cardiffian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-03-26T17:22:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/image1-Cropped.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"910\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Isobel Owen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Isobel Owen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/03\/26\/meet-the-welsh-pro-golfer-calling-for-change-in-womens-sport\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/03\/26\/meet-the-welsh-pro-golfer-calling-for-change-in-womens-sport\/\",\"name\":\"Meet the Welsh pro golfer calling for change in women\u2019s sport - 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