A "second significant merger between two golfing bodies based in Scotland" has been finalized, according to Martin Dempster of the SCOTSMAN. The Ladies Golf Union and the R&A will become "a unified body" from Jan. 1. The R&A will "assume responsibility for staging" the LGU's championships and int'l matches next year. The "exception is the Ricoh Women's British Open, which will continue to be managed by IMG" in '17 under the existing agreement with the LGU. LGU Chair Trish Wilson said, "Bringing the two organizations together creates a platform that will allow us to develop our aspirations for women's golf on a global stage and encourage more girls and women to play golf and become members of clubs." The move toward this merger "included a heads of agreement between the two organisations being signed in June." That led to the integration of the LGU's business operations and its members of staff into the R&A group of companies. An agreed governance structure has also been implemented "to give LGU Board members representation on relevant R&A committees" (SCOTSMAN, 12/19). In Dublin, Liam Kelly reported the example set by the R&A, which rules golf globally in tandem with the USGA, and the LGU "can only hasten the process of bringing male and female golfers in Ireland under the one umbrella body." Just over 20 years ago, a number of "high-profile" cases in which women members sought equal membership and equal voting rights in golf clubs "focused attention on the issue." Now, "most clubs," with some notable exceptions including the "high-profile pair" of Portmarnock and Royal Dublin, offer women "equal membership." The finalization of the R&A and the LGU's position "sets the tone for a new era" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 12/20).
