Golfer Emily Nash isn't awarded championship trophy because she's a girl
Anything boys can do, girls can do better. And they should be rewarded for it.
Emily Nash wasn't awarded the first place championship trophy at the Central Mass. Division 3 boys' golf tournament on Tuesday. The reason? She's a girl.
That's it.
The 16-year-old had the best score by four strokes, yet she wasn't allowed first prize or the chance to advance to the state tournament individually. The trophy was given to a boy who technically was supposed to be in second place.
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According to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), girls are only allowed to play on a boys' team, but can't compete individually. Female golfers can only play individually during the girls' season.
Although Nash had no control over what happened, she was still disappointed at the outcome.
"I wasn't aware until after my round that if I won, I wouldn't be able to get the title or the trophy. So I was definitely disappointed, but I understand that there are rules in place," she told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. "I don't think people expected this to happen, so they didn't really know how to react to it. None of us are mad at the MIAA or anything like that, but I was definitely disappointed."
However, Nash wasn't the only one who was disappointed.
I have gotten the honor of covering Emily Nash, once as and 8th grader and this past August. She is tops in my book. pic.twitter.com/pviP2FqTDr
— John Love (@Jlovephotograph) October 27, 2017
"She" is Emily Nash. Show her some respect. If she is allowed to play w/ the boys then she should get the trophy. Time to update the rules.
— Loroma (@Loroma) October 26, 2017
Men are not going to win this argument. Emily Nash won fair and square, by the boys standards. Period. https://t.co/lLe2sa9N5x
— Ashley Green (@agreenphotog) October 26, 2017
Emily Nash is better than the boy golfers and if you can't live with that I guess you're too fragile that boys don't win everything
— Marisa Ingemi (@Marisa_Ingemi) October 26, 2017
To #EmilyNash: Bravo sweetie and to the @MIAA: get out of the dark ages, you are despicable.⛳️🏆
— NeelyFanTee☘️☘️❤️ (@NeelyFanForever) October 27, 2017
As a result of the social media uproar, MIAA issued a press release on the situation. However, the association didn't even mentioned Nash's name once, and labeled her the "female golfer" instead.
We get it MIAA, you can't fathom girls actually winning over boys. We totally understand.
#MIAA pic.twitter.com/Tuky17nvMl
— MIAA (@MIAA033) October 26, 2017
While the MIAA thought it was diffusing the problem, the press release only made it worst. All it had to do was give Emily Nash the recognition she deserved and reconsider a rule separating females from participating against males.
Weak.
Congrats, Emily Nash! The MIAA may have not mentioned your name, but I will be looking for it & anticipate watching you flourish!— MaryJane Cannabian (@MaryJCannabian) October 27, 2017
You know, @MIAA033 ... the female golfer who won the tournament but was denied the award ... she has a name.#EmilyNash https://t.co/q0pxWLrPha
— Joe Keene (@joekeene) October 27, 2017
It would be nice if she was called Emily Nash instead of “female golfer.” 🤔 https://t.co/SmsHoBDItN
— Amanda Blomquist (@amandabnews) October 26, 2017
Richard Pearson, the assistant executive director of the MIAA, told PGA.com it's up to the school administrators to decide whether or not to change the rule in place. He concluded his answer with, "The decisions are always made in the best interest of the kids."
Hopefully, this will spark a larger discussion about giving girls the opportunity to play alongside boys — and rewarding them when they win.
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