Brigid McCaw becomes chairman of LGU

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
The first lady of British golf took office in Belfast last night.
They came from Nigeria and other far-away places to salute the newly-elected chairman of the Ladies' Golf Union, Brigid McCaw, a pillar of the famous Royal County Down club.
It was the first time in the LGU's 100-year history that Ulster had hosted an agm, and among those sharing a centre-stage role were architect's wife Ann Wallace, president of the ILGU, Curtis Cup captain Mary McKenna, and Sandra McWilliams, the chairman of the Northern District.

Images on right from the LGU webiste: Brigid McCaw (top), Maureen Lockett (lower).

New President Maureen Lockett's wealth of

golf knowledge and experience

FROM THE LADIES GOLF UNION WEBSITE
Maureen Lockett, the Chairman of the Ladies’ Golf Union in 2002, has taken up the position of President and Brigid McCaw has been appointed Chairman of the Ladies’ Golf Union at the 2009 AGM in Belfast.
Mrs. Lockett is the 23rd President since the position was instigated in 1908 and will commence her three years in office in succession to Mrs. Joan Neville. Having served as Chairman of the Ladies’ Golf Union in 2002, Maureen will bring a wealth of golf knowledge and experience to the role of President.
A keen golfer since taking up the game as a junior at Thonock Golf Club, now The Gainsborough Golf Club, she played to a high standard, representing Yorkshire in the early seventies and achieving a handicap of 2.
Always one to put something back into the game she loves, Maureen became involved in golf administration in the late seventies and served as Club Captain and Centenary Lady President at Hallamshire Golf Club in Sheffield, where she is now an Honorary Member, and as Yorkshire County Captain. More recently, she served as President of the Yorkshire Ladies’ County Golf Association.
Maureen’s skills as an administrator soon got her noticed at national level, and she was Chairman of the English Ladies’ Golf Association in 1995, before taking on the role of English Councillor on the Ladies’ Golf Union between 1999 and 2002.
One of her main interests is junior golf, and, as an original member of the English Junior Golf Partnership, she remains committed to encouraging junior participation in the sport. Husband Brian, grown-up children Julia and Christopher, grandsons Alan, Tony and Marcus, and her sprightly 95 year old mother are delighted at Maureen’s nomination as President of the Ladies’ Golf Union and offer their full support in her term of office.
Maureen says “I still find it hard to believe that I have been invited to take on this prestigious position but I will do my best to uphold the long traditions of the LGU. These are exciting and challenging times for ladies’ golf but I firmly believe that the Ladies’ Golf Union has an important role to play.
"The changing needs of our younger golfers must be catered for while we should also endeavour to maintain the legacies of the past upon which our modern game is based. I look forward to supporting the ongoing modernisation initiatives and also to meeting many of you in the coming months and years”.
Brigid McCaw, the new LGU Chairman, is a member and past Captain of Royal County Down Ladies’ Golf Club and has been involved in golf administration for a number of years at both club and National level. As a Trustee and Honorary Secretary of the club she has experience in various aspects of club administration while in a playing capacity she has represented the club on a number of occasions in District Inter-Club Teams.
A stint as the club’s Junior Convenor saw her bring home the Smurfit title on three occasions, an association with Junior Golf which she continued through District and National Level. Brigid has served as a junior selector at both District and National Levels while also captaining various successful girls’ national teams over the years.
Brigid has passed the R&A referee’s examination on two occasions and has officiated at many major championships and international tournaments including the Curtis Cup, the Vagliano Trophy and the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
Brigid served full terms on the executive committees of both District and ILGU Councils before joining the Executive of the LGU in 2006 where she has served on the LGU Rules and Regulations Committee for the last three years.
Brigid worked for many years as a production assistant for Ulster Television but since she retired has been kept fully occupied in golf administration. In anticipation of her year in office she said: “I feel honoured to be elected Chairman of the Ladies Golf Union. I know that a great deal of work lies in the year ahead but I look forward to working closely with Council and our Management Team on progressing the implementation of the Business Plan and most importantly to be amongst the Players and Officials at our Championships.”
Brigid lives in Newcastle, Northern Ireland with her husband Harry, a past Captain of both the Royal & Ancient and Royal County Down Golf Club. They have three children, Gordon, Anita and Kenneth and five grandchildren.
Catherine Booth (Ireland), Nancy Chisholm (Scotland), Joan Neville (Wales) and Sue Johnson (England) – Vice Presidents
The Executive Council has also invited four former office bearers to become Honorary Vice Presidents of the Ladies’ Golf Union in recognition of the work they have done for ladies’ golf and their continued loyalty to, and support of, the LGU.
Outgoing President Joan Neville (Wales) will remain actively involved in supporting the LGU on her appointment as a Vice President. Joan, LGU President from 2007-09, has been unstinting in her work for the LGU. Her vast knowledge of golf, hard work and great sense of humour with which she has fulfilled her role has been greatly appreciated by players and officials alike.
Joan says “the best years of my life have been spent with the LGU and the invitation to become a Vice President is the pinnacle of my association. I can assure you that I will continue to support this wonderful organisation and look forward to following the changes due to come in the next few years.”
Catherine Booth (Ireland), President of the LGU from 2004-2007, first became involved in golf administration in the late 1970s and served on both the ILGU Central Council and the LGU Executive Council. She was Chairman of the Curtis Cup Committee played in Killarney in 1996, when Great Britain & Ireland last won the matches.
Catherine is “delighted to be nominated as a Vice President of the LGU at an exciting time in women’s golf, when the LGU and Home Countries are addressing issues for the long term good of the game.”
After contributing to the game of golf in many capacities at club, county and national level, Nancy Chisholm (Scotland) served as LGU Chairman in 1997 and SLGA President from 2003-2007. A lifelong member of Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club, Nancy continues to play golf to an enviable standard, and cites her favourite club and deadliest weapon as “Father’s antique hickory jigger!”
Nancy is “thrilled to be invited to become an Honorary Vice President of LGU, which I hold in high esteem”.
The fourth new Vice President is Sue Johnson (England). A well known character in Yorkshire golfing circles, Sue was LGU Chairman in 1994 and President from 2001-04. Sue responded with delight to her invitation to become a vice President and stated “I am mindful of the privilege bestowed on me and pleased to be given the opportunity to continue to support the LGU. Over the years of my involvement in ladies’ golf, I have made many friends and had such happy times. I feel very fortunate to be awarded this honour.”
The LGU is in the process of implementing its Business Plan which was approved at last year’s AGM, and the Executive Council is pleased to confirm that Shona Malcolm will continue in the post of Chief Executive Officer to drive the ongoing modernisation initiatives.