Stuart McKinnon, the owner of the NXXT Golf Tour, has explained the personal motivation behind his decision to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s professional golf. The policy change, announced in March, came amid transgender golfer Hailey Davidson’s dominant performances as she pursued an LPGA pro card.
At the time, McKinnon clarified the tour’s stance, stating, “Our revised policy is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to celebrating and protecting the achievements and opportunities of female athletes. Protected categories are a fundamental aspect of sports at all levels, and it is essential for our Tour to uphold these categories for biological females, ensuring a level playing field.”
The decision drew a strong backlash from Davidson, who voiced frustration on social media. Davidson’s path to joining the LPGA was effectively blocked when the LPGA also implemented a similar ban on most transgender athletes.
In a recent discussion hosted by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, McKinnon elaborated on his reasoning, emphasizing his role as a father to five daughters.
“As a father of five daughters, I’m here to protect my daughters and protect females,” McKinnon said. “I’m the type of father, if I was watching my daughter playing soccer and there was a male that was playing against her, and he was 240 lbs, barreling down the field, I would have gone on the field, and I would have stopped it.”
McKinnon highlighted the potential physical dangers of allowing biological males to compete against female athletes, particularly in contact sports. While golf does not pose the same physical risks, he pointed out that Davidson’s participation presented a competitive advantage.
The NXXT Golf Tour’s decision mirrors broader discussions around fairness and safety in women’s sports. As more organizations implement policies to preserve the integrity of female competition, McKinnon’s stance underscores a growing movement to safeguard women’s athletics.
