Victory for transsexual golfer

DANISH transsexual Mianne Bagger will be eligible to enter the Weetabix Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale this summer after a new gender policy was announced yesterday by the Ladies Golf Union which allows golfers born as men who have undergone sex-change operations to compete in women’s championships.

Born a man in Copenhagen in 1966, Bagger played off a handicap of 4 before under-going a sex-change and competing as a woman from 1998. After turning professional in 2003 she came through the European Women’s Tour qualifying school at the end of last season and can now enter the qualifying tournament for the Women’s British Open on 28-31 July.

The gender policy will be enforced at all LGU events after being drawn up in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. It allows for an appeals procedure in the event of a dispute.

"It has taken a considerable time to finalise the gender policy document and we are convinced that we have a document that is fair to all," said Andy Salmon, chief executive of the Ladies’ Golf Union. "I do not believe there will be any great effect on our championships, but for one or two individuals our gender policy will now present them with a realistic opportunity of competing at the top level of amateur or professional golf."

Bagger entered the Australian Women’s Open last year and missed the cut after carding rounds of 84 and 74. In October she qualified to play on the European Women’s Tour this season. Aware of the concern in some quarters that transsexuals could have an unfair advantage over other females athletes, Bagger has explained on her website why she believes this isn’t so.

"Speaking from my own experience, when I started HRT my doctor told me that I would notice emotional changes as well as a loss in strength," said Bagger. "This is something that didn’t become evident until some time had past. What I’m saying is that it’s not like we wake up one morning feeling suddenly weaker. The changes our bodies go through can be likened to that of going through puberty. As an example, for me it meant that, after time, I wasn’t able to lift things I was once able to and with my golf, it means that I don’t hit the ball as far as I used to.

"My game needs only to be compared to that of the other girls to see there’s no difference and more to the point, compare it with guys of the same standard - there just is no comparison. After we have had surgery there is nothing left in our bodies producing testosterone and drugs required to halt it’s production are no longer required. Typically our levels of testosterone are lower than the average levels for women. After surgery, changes to our bodies with regard to strength are permanent and irreversible.

"One of the most preposterous suggestions I often hear is what’s to stop any guy, maybe struggling to make it on the men’s tour, having a sex change and then playing on the women’s tour. This suggestion really goes to show the level of ignorance that does exist.

"In fact, I dare any man to go through a ‘sex change’ and I take no responsibility for the outcome. Just think about it guys, what you’re suggesting involves years of counselling and hormone replacement therapy, living as a woman, many years and thousands of dollars on removal of facial hair and eventual surgery. Then you live as a woman. Remember, you can’t just have it all undone when you find out it was the wrong thing to do. This isn’t a game."