A Perthshire golfer has come under fire after announcing a partnership with a Saudi Arabian sports organisation on social media.
Carly Booth, who is originally from Comrie, tweeted a photo of herself next to a golf bag along with a message praising the progress the Kingdom has made for sportswomen.
The 26-year-old, who is a Scottish Golf ambassador for women and girls, tagged the Saudi Golf Federation in the post and was roundly condemned on social media.
It read: “I am honoured to represent @Golf_Saudi as they acknowledge that women in sport is of paramount importance.
“Although culturally they are in a different place to some countries, they are doing everything they can to introduce girls and women into sport and lead healthy lifestyles.”
The Tweet was deleted by the two-time Ladies European Tour winner on Wednesday.
In the Arab country, women are subjected to discrimination under a “male guardianship system”.
From birth until death, men make critical decisions for their female relations – fathers, husbands, brothers and even sons.
Women in Saudi Arabia are required to gain approval from a male relative if they wish to apply for a passport, travel outwith the country or study abroad.
A ban on women driving in the country was only lifted in 2017, and women were only allowed in sports stadium as of 2018. However, social reforms in recent times have led to the emergence of more female athletes in Saudi Arabia.
Crikey Carly I think you might want to head to google and a bit of “women’s rights, Saudi Arabia” before announcing that.
— Georgie Bingham (@georgiebingham) April 24, 2019
Anya Alvarez, an American professional golfer, said: “‘Culturally in a different place’, as in women just got the right to drive, are able to finally attend sporting events if they are seated separately from men, and where death penalty is executed against women rights activists.”
Btw….Carly Booth is an “ambassador” for Scottish Golf. Can I suggest that she be fired from that role ASAP?
— John Huggan (@johnhuggan) April 24, 2019
“culturally in a different place” as in women just got the right to drive, are able to finally attend sporting events if they are seated separately from men, and where death penalty is executed against women rights activists ..
Cool, Carly https://t.co/hfkNGfQGxA
— Anya Alvarez (@anya__alvarez) April 24, 2019
girls can’t play in public schools there
they can’t swim in public
this is a PR stunt to use a pretty european gal to promote them, while doing very little behind the scenes to improve the conditions for women
what really irks me about Carly’s post is that it is glosses
— Anya Alvarez (@anya__alvarez) April 24, 2019
However the national golfing organisation has said they will continue to support the Perthshire golfer in her role.
A spokesperson for Scottish Golf said: “That [the sponsorship deal) is something for Carly and her agent to decide.
“In terms of her volunteer role as an ambassador, we’re happy to continue that.
“We’re working to make the game more appealing to young people and Carly is a vital part of that.”
Others on social media hoped that Booth’s new deal with Golf Saudi could help change attitudes in the region.
Michael Crawford said: “Carly Booth would be the antithesis of the norm in Saudi.
“If Saudi women and girls can see her and see a different life is out there surely it is a fantastic thing.”Making everyone play by same rules is the only chance you have to change countries like that.”
Booth has been approached for comment.
Looks like Carly Booth took down her new sponsorship post. Probably a good idea. Probably would have been an even better idea to have just not taken the Saudi's money in the first place…
— Dan Hauser (@DanHauserGolf) April 24, 2019
She is currently ranked 351st in the world.
Booth became the youngest ever ladies club champion in Scotland aged just 11.
