A Sociological Profile of Participants in the 1983 Ncaa Women's Golf Championship

Abstract

Data were collected from participants (N=86) in the 1983 NCAA Women's Golf Cham pionship to elicit specific demographic and sociological information which would determine a profile of the elite female collegiate golfer. A 25 item questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Demographic variables include age, height, weight, year in school, hometown, academic major and university/college location. Sociological variables included age at which the participant began playing golf, most influential person in the participant's exposure to golf, person(s) providing greatest encourage ment to compete, families' involvement in golf, ordinal position, future career aspirations relative to golf, and socio-economic background. Elite female collegiate golfers in this study tend to pattern other female athletes in regard to the age of their initial involvement in sport and influence of the family upon participation. It appears that they are socialized into golf at an early age, the father is the most significant socializing agent, parents provide the greatest encouragement to compete, and the family involvement in golf is extensive. The participants are predominantly white, likely to be the youngest children in families with high socio-economic backgrounds, and the largest number come from hometowns located in the South and West. The majority of participants plan to continue their involvement in golf by becoming touring professionals.