masters class : sexy golf
Move over Laura Davies - there’s a new kid on the block...
The moment Danielle Masters nailed a superb 15 foot putt to birdie the 18th at the BBC Radio Kent Ladies English Open, those lucky enough to witness it at Chart Hills near Biddenden knew that a new star had been born. The 23-year-old from Maidstone achieved her highest ever finish of 3rd - in what was her rookie year on the European Tour.
Sport runs through the Masters family veins, so it’s not surprising to learn that Danielle can’t sit still for even a minute. But why choose to concentrate on something that is predominantly played by men?
“I took up golf at the age of 10 with my granddad. My parents gave me a left-handed seven-iron to try and play with, which ended up being useless as I play right-handed! But it got me into it and I just really really enjoy it.”
Danielle took to golf almost as effortlessly as a young Tiger Woods. Before long she had a string of junior titles to her name and was selected to represent her county. It was at that point that the young Masters decided that perhaps the game could provide her with a decent career as well as an enjoyable hobby.
“I don’t know what the exact turning point was but getting chosen for England and the doors that opened with it – like travelling the world and playing in different tournaments – were just such a fantastic opportunity for a teenager to have.”
Being a sporting prodigy can of course have its drawbacks. For many talented youngsters the pressures of growing up result in their sport taking a back seat, but Danielle was never tempted to let peer pressure ruin her golfing ambitions. Although she admits she didn’t really have many school friends as a result - her friendships were made out on the course with those who shared her dreams.
The profile of the women’s game is still a long way behind that of the men’s. However its popularity is growing rapidly - there are now more tournaments than ever before and the prize money is increasing as a result.
As with tennis, image is now a big part of the game. Commentators often spend as much time talking about each girl’s outfit and appearance as they do analysing their swing. Where this may frustrate some girls on the tour, Danielle isn’t concerned in the slightest.
“To try and market golf to a young girly generation is very difficult because it isn't really a feminine sport to play. So to concentrate on fashion and things you can wear to make it look more funky and interesting is a different way of selling it. You can’t really fault it because it’s bringing business to all the girls.”
Danielle admits she takes great pride in looking good on the course. “You want to make an impact on the crowd and you want to stand out. I’m not colour coordinated and I’m not fashion conscious but I feel comfortable with what I wear. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but you shouldn’t take yourself too seriously. I definitely don’t!”
But make an impact she definitely does. Many fans (especially the men!) that saw her at Chart Hills have fond memories of her hot pink trousers which she teamed with a stylish black and white top.
Despite the best attendance ever seen at the Ladies English Open, Danielle accepts that the women’s game will never be as big as the men’s. She’s also sceptical of women such as the American Michelle Wie, who try to compete alongside the men.
“Fair enough if Michelle wants to play against the guys but I think she needs to concentrate on herself, and put a solid stamp on the women’s game before she tries anything else. Otherwise it’s going to be potentially detrimental to other women who might get an opportunity to play in a men’s tournament.
“Whether we’ll get a co-sanctioned tour, I really don’t think so. Would it be nice? I’m not sure.”
Danielle herself has been invited to play in a couple of men’s competitions – missing the cut in one by just two shots. “As long as I wasn’t taking a guy’s spot I didn’t see a problem, but I’m not in a hurry to give it another go.”
As much as the golfing fraternity is trying to accept female players, there are still some courses in the country that have separate areas for men and women. Instead of being put out by it, Danielle is actually fond of these elements of the sport.
“That’s the game we’ve chosen to play, and I like the traditionalism of it. Whether I agree with it or not, I think it’s nice to play a game that has traditions and dress codes. Take Royal St George’s (in Sandwich) – they don’t have women members. Also, I know there’s clubs up north where women have to be invited by their husbands to play on Mondays. It doesn’t particularly bother me, maybe if I wanted to play the course then it would!”
Although she’s played some of the world’s best courses, for Danni one stands out above the rest.
“Chart Hills! I just absolutely love it. I think it’s fantastic and I can’t really fault it. I always wanted to be a member there when I was younger. To be attached there and to have a European tournament there is just brilliant.”
So despite her ambition to one day play at Pebble Beach in Florida, it’s the Kent course where Danni feels most at home. That shone through during the three days of competition back in October. Going into the final day she was just two shots off the lead, and her frustrations were evident as she missed several birdie putts on holes she knew so well. Her characteristic smile after the birdie at the 18th was tinged with slight disappointment as to what might have been.
However she made us all very proud indeed, and one day, in the not too distant future, the name on that trophy will read Danielle Masters.
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