13/12/2024
Celebrating and Honouring ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐น๐ฒ๐: A Trailblazer in Golf from the 1800s and a Legacy That Inspires.
What a special moment at ๐ฅ๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ต ๐๐ผ๐น๐ณ ๐๐น๐๐ฏ this year. We are thrilled that our Founder and CEO, Hazel Thompson, MBA, had the honour of winning two incredible trophiesโbut even more so, it has been an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable legacy of May Hezlet, a true trailblazer in womenโs golf.
๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ต๐: This match play knockout trophy, presented by May in her later years, carries her pioneering spirit. Winning it is a privilege that connects Hazelโand all competitorsโto Mayโs incredible contributions to the game.
๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ป ๐๐๐ฝ: Played for since 1899, this historic cup symbolizes generations of golfing excellence. Itโs humbling to have Hazelโs name added to its legacy.
๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐น๐ฒ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ is nothing short of inspiring. Born in 1882 near ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ต she became a golfing sensation as the youngest-ever winner of the ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ at just 17. She is credited with putting ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ต on the world map. Her talent and determination brought her two more wins at that prestigious event and five ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฒ๐โ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ๐, with her fifth win here at ๐ฅ๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ต in 1908.
But Mayโs influence went far beyond trophies. In 1904, she wrote ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ณ, a groundbreaking book that encouraged more women to take up the sport. As one of the earliest advocates for womenโs golf, she shaped the game for generations to come.
Apparently next year, her legacy is being rightfully honoured with a Blue Plaque at Royal Portrush by the Ulster History Circleโa fitting tribute to her profound impact on the sport and the region.(As published by the Ulster History Circle 24/11/24)
For Hazel, winning trophies that hold such historical significance is an honour and a reminder of the giants who paved the way. Hazel says this moment is less about personal success and more about celebrating the enduring legacy of women like May, who broke barriers and set the stage for future generations.
Hereโs to May Hezletโa true pioneerโand to all those who continue to be inspired by her incredible achievements.