March is Women's History Month. During the month, take a moment to appreciate the reason we get 31 days to celebrate women. Women are a vital part of history but are sometimes overlooked and were often excluded in early history. The 20th century saw a shift and a growth in the women's movement. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation declaring the first week of March as Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress officially created a resolution making March Women's History Month. Read more about why we celebrate Women's History Month.

Women have had a place in golf since the beginning. We sometimes overlook the growth and popularity of the game really started because of a WOMAN! Golf has history as far back as as 1457 when King James banned the sport because it was so beloved that he was concerned that his people were not practicing their military skills like archery for the ongoing war with England. However, the growth and popularity are due to Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. The Queen even has the nickname "Mother of Golf" and brought the word 'caddie' into the game's vocabulary. She played regularly and supported the growth of courses such as St. Andrews. Her demise may also be due to the game. Seen playing golf soon after the death of her husband, she was regarded to not be properly mourning. Elizabeth I used Mary playing golf as part of the evidence for treason. Mary was charged, imprisoned and later beheaded.

Unfortunately, after Mary Stuart's death, golf changed and was viewed as a sport for the elite which women did not have a place. In the 1860s, women in St. Andrews felt they deserved a place to play golf. The St. Andrews Ladies Golf Club was established in 1867 to support women who wanted to play golf. Old Tom Morris helped the St. Andrews Ladies Golf Club by creating the the miniature golf course that is common referred to as "The Himalayas" which still stands on the property. The women's group is currently called St. Andrews Ladies Putting Club and still manages the The Himalayas Putting Course, the only course on the property run outside the St. Andrews Link Trust. 

With the growth of the game, came competitive opportunities for women. In 1893, the Women's Amateur Championship (Women's British Amateur) was established. The inaugural event was played at Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club and won by Lady Margaret Scott who as a dominate female golfer at the beginning era of women's competitive golf. In 1894, the United States Golf Association was established. The following year in 1895, the USGA hosted its first three tournaments: Men's US Amateur, US Open, and Women's US Amateur. The first Women's US Amateur was played at Meadow Brook Club in Hempstead, New York. The championship was won by Lucy Barnes and was the only Women's Amateur conducted as stroke play. 

Women have a place in golf and have helped grow the game. This Women's History Month, lets celebrate the great woman who have worked to give us a place at the table.