ELGA PRESS RELEASE

ELGA MEMBERS VOTE TO MODERNISE ASSOCIATION

Members of the English Ladies’ Golf Association have voted to modernise their organisation to drive forward women’s golf.
They backed changes to create a more modern, capable and efficient governing body at an extraordinary general meeting at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull today.
Over half of the 1780 golf clubs affiliated to ELGA voted on four resolutions, which were put to the meeting at the end of a two-year period of consultation with members and after a wide-ranging debate on the issues. All four were passed with majorities of at least 70 per cent.
Altogether, over 1100 votes were cast on each resolution and ELGA chief executive Pauline Perla told the meeting: “This is the largest number of votes we have received in the history of the association. Whatever the outcome, the decision will have been made by a majority of members.”
ELGA president Diane Bailey said: “I am delighted that we have had the support of well over 70 per cent of our voters to enable us to make the changes which are essential for the future of women’s golf in England.
“Our mission is Driving Women’s Golf and I assure you that’s what we will all be working towards. I hope those who have had mixed feelings about certain aspects will give it time and give their support to ensure a successful future for the association.”
The vote means that ELGA will now be incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and known as the English Women’s Golf Association.
It will be run by a management board with the business skills needed to drive forward women’s golf, for example in communications, marketing, sponsorship and information technology.
An operational board, whose members will come from the counties, will look after the core golfing activities of the association, such as championships and tournaments, handicapping, course rating, selection of squads for training and England teams.
Counties will be organised into six regions, each of which will be represented on the operational board. There will be more direct communication between clubs, counties and the association.
Voting procedures within the association have been simplified. The changes will come into effect from 1 January 2008.
The changes are designed to support ELGA’s mission of Driving Women’s Golf by:

IMPROVING communications within the organisation.
IMPROVING the image of women’s golf.
HELPING women achieve equality in golf.
IMPROVING services to members and clubs.
PUTTING more focus on volunteers.
GIVING women and girl golfers more opportunities to improve.

ELGA’s modernisation review began in September 2005 and has included an extensive survey, workshops and consultation days involving divisions, counties and clubs.
ELGA chief executive Pauline Perla told the meeting: “It has taken us two years of workshops and consultation to be here today. We know that change is not easy, but it is necessary if we want to progress as an organisation.”
She added: “Women’s golf has a rich past, a healthy present and it could have an exciting future if you support change today.”
Tribute was paid at the meeting to the modernisation working group which had advised the ELGA executive during the consultation period: ELGA chairman Sarah Miller from the South-East, vice-chairman Ruth Whitehead and Hilary Green from the North, Ros Weston from the Midlands and Carolyn Maynard from the South West.
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer