There are over six million lady golfers around the world, sharing the challenges, joys, frustrations and victories that make the game what it is. Their numbers are increasing faster that the men’s, with about 800,000 new women actively coming into the sport during the “pandemic surge” of 2020-21.
TOMO salutes these vibrant, active women with her new Golf Necklaces, designed to be sleek and dynamic, capturing the spirit of today’s lady golfer, who brings a fresh energy and style into the rather staid, historically male-dominated sport. But women have been part of golf’s history since the beginning.
In fact, it was a woman who created the first ball for play, well before golf existed. Ancient Greek poet Homer writes that in about 1100 BC, a Princess Anagalla of Corcyra made a leather-clad ball for Princess Nausica of Phoeacia, and taught her to play a game called hand-ball.
“O’er the green mead the sporting virgins play,
Their shining veils unbound, along the skies,
Tost and retost, the ball incessant flies.”*
Ball sports evolved over the centuries and around the world, as competitive, innovative women (and eventually men) went from tossing the ball back and forth to hitting with flat sticks, then racquets, and bent (bandy) clubs. In about the 13th Century AD “bandy ball” developed into goff or golf in The Netherlands, although similar stick and ball games were played in China and elsewhere. Scotland, however will always be the motherland of golf for most duffers.
Queen Mary Stuart of Scotland played golf in the 16th Century. According to ScottishGolfHistory.com, “Tradition has it that Mary Queen of Scots once lost a golf match to her lady in waiting, Mary Seton, whose family home was Seton House, and afterwards the Queen presented Mary Seton with a necklace as a reward. It was sold at Christie’s in February 1894 for £365, which would now be a substantial amount.”
If the story is true, the Mary Seton may be considered the first professional golfer, and that necklace the very first golf necklace. This storied piece, in the fashion of the day, was most likely quite ornate, an adornment of gemstones and pearls, connected with heavy gold links, similar to this. The elaborate necklace speaks of elegant-yet-energetic women who loved fine, fanciful, colorful things. Things that celebrate women and friendships in the spirit of play.
There are so many choices for today’s lady golfers: from designer watches and fitness trackers, to precious metal ball markers, bracelets for balance and focus, lucky charms and championship rings. Paula Creamer, one of the most stylish people in golf, always wears beautiful jewelry on the course. Lexi Thompson has her signature ladybug earrings. Michelle Wie has created her “resilience” bracelet to support Maui’s recovery.
TOMO invites you to see her beautiful new Golf Collection, for yourself or the lady golfer in your life.
*The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England, Joseph Strutt, 1895 (The Gutenberg Project)
