And the sad reality that there is virtually zero prestige in hosting the ladies, and no one will watch it on television.
There is virtually ZERO prestige in hosting the Women's Open?
NO one will watch it on television?
I know you did not mean this literally. Nevertheless, I think the Women's Open is a better event then you give it credit.
Some great courses that are not adequate for the Men's Open (for a variety of reasons) have hosted the Women's Open. The Women's Open is often the most exciting LPGA event of the year.
Even when I was in high school and college in the 1980s and working in bag rooms we would watch all of the Women's Open on TV. (And high school and college boys are not exactly the most enlightened bunch per women's sports.)
Some of the great courses I have seen on TV due to the Women's Open include Prairie Dunes, The Orchards, Pine Needles, Newport, Indianwood, Salem, Plainfield, Baltimore and Crooked Stick.
Some of these courses have hosted the Men's Am or the Senior Open, but it is likely that none of these courses may every host the Men's Open. For these clubs the Women's Open was possibly a special opportunity for the members to showcase their course and participate in the premier women’s golf event.
For a membership that loves golf, it can be worth the sacrifices to see great players enjoy your home course, and see how well your course can test the best in the game.