It’s a sunny June morning, tee times are booked and golf courses throughout Greater Nashua are packed with players.

Father’s Day isn’t far off, and area clubs are ready for the hustle and bustle of dads taking to the links for a relaxing round of golf.

Still, that’s June 16. Perhaps this Sunday’s holiday should take precedence.

With an industry that has seen dwindling numbers during the recent economic struggles, some in New Hampshire golfing circles are surprised that women are not being catered to in an attempt to add profits.

New Hampshire Women’s Golf Association President Rowena Wilks understands why it happens, she just doesn’t agree with it.

“I’m surprised, but it’s not unusual,” Wilks said. “A majority of golf courses are still male dominated and that’s who they focus on. But I don’t think any golf course that ignores women and juniors as a way to increase business and revenue will be able to survive. Women golfers are definitely a force in the golf industry that courses should not ignore.”

Mother’s Day is allegedly not a golf course’s best friend. A clubhouse attendant at a private course in the area stressed that it’s “a dead day business-wise and nobody shows up.”

There are other country clubs and golf centers that see the opposite.

Of the 11 Greater Nashua courses, seven offer special rates and one more hosts a special brunch for moms.

At Amherst Country Club and Ponemah Green in Amherst, moms play free accompanied by a paying customer. It’s the same in Hollis at The Overlook and Litchfield at both Passaconaway Country Club and Hidden Creek Country Club.

At Whip-Poor-Will Golf Club in Hudson and Souhegan Woods Golf Club (after 10 a.m.) in Amherst there is no need for a paying partner, moms play for free.

In all seven cases, the only thing a mom needs to pay for is the use of a cart. Green fees are taken care of.

At Sky Meadow Country Club, they treat their moms to a special brunch, then watch the course fill up with the families that attend.

“We get over 500 people to the club for the brunch,” Sky Meadow’s Director of Golf Rich Ingraham said. “A lot of moms come here, hang out with the family, enjoy the buffet spread and then play a round of golf. The afternoon gets really busy here on the course.

“Father’s Day is more about the dads. This is more a family event.”

Whip-Poor-Will General Manager Lori Brooks is trying to open the door for more female golfers. She, like Wilks sees the majority of clubs focused on men. Brooks hopes that changes going forward.

“A lot of courses are more directed toward men,” Brooks said. “A lot more.

“Guys don’t care. They’ll go out and play by themselves no matter what type or level player they are. Women can get a little hesitant to just go out alone and play in front of the guys. I think that’s why you need to open the door to the women and give them extra opportunities to get out on the course.”

The free round being offered at Whip-Poor-Will and other area courses does just that.

“It promotes good things,” Brooks said.

State Am qualifier

The first New Hampshire Golf Association State Am qualifier is right around the corner. Actually, it’s Wednesday in North Hampton at Sagamore-Hampton Golf Club from 8-11:30 a.m.

Deutsche Bank tickets

The top 100 golfers in the world invade New England again Labor Day weekend, teeing it up at TPC Boston, and tickets are officially on sale.

The 2013 Deutsche Bank Championship will offer a wide variety of ticket options for spectators looking to entertain clients, hang with friends or family while walking the course with their favorite golfers.

Tickets for the exciting playoff event, held Aug. 28-Sept. 2, went on sale to the public Wednesday and are available online at www.dbchampionship.com or by phone at 800-594-TIXX (8499).

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