LADIES GOLF UNION

 PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Publication – Issued Tuesday 26 February 2013

A time of change following the LGU’s AGM

As the LGU celebrates its 120^th anniversary as the voice of women’s golf, the AGM in Dublin saw the announcement of a number of changes, both in key officials and in the arrangements for selecting international teams.

Trish Wilson (pictured right) succeeded Gillian Kirkwood as Chairman and will serve three years as the strategic head of the LGU. An experienced administrator, and senior rules official at many top professional and amateur events, Trish brings a wealth of golf knowledge and experience to her new role.  

She says “The LGU is renowned for the high standard of the championships and international matches it hosts, and the focus has to be on continuing to develop and improve our events, both on and off the golf course. The GB&I victory in the Curtis Cup at Nairn gave ladies’ golf a huge boost and I would hope the LGU can capitalise on this to promote the game to new participants and supporters.”

In another change of senior personnel, Brigid McCaw (pictured left) has been appointed the 25th President of the LGU since the position was instigated in 1908, and commences her two years in office in succession to Mrs. Jill Edwards MBE.

Chairman of the LGU in 2009, Brigid has served in many roles at national level in Ireland and has been one of the LGU’s top rules officials for a number of years. She is “pleased and honoured to be President of the LGU in this, its 120^th anniversary year.”

At the AGM itself, retiring Chairman Gillian Kirkwood took the opportunity to announce a radical shake-up in the LGU’s arrangements for selecting international teams. She said “the face of ladies’ amateur golf has changed with the advent of international playing opportunities, and with elite players getting younger and younger. In addition, with the introduction of the World Amateur Golf Ranking for ladies, detailed information on individual performances is becoming more readily available.

A review of selection options was commissioned, and involved wide consultation with many interested parties. At the recent Board meeting, the Directors unanimously agreed that future Great Britain & Ireland teams will be selected from a mix of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (“WAGR”), the newly implemented LGU Order of Merit and a small number of Captain’s picks.

The biennial Junior Vagliano team will continue to be selected by a panel of representatives from each of the four home countries.”

These new arrangements will be introduced with immediate effect, with the Vagliano team for the match against the Continent of Europe in Chantilly in June 2013 comprising:-

• The top 4 players from the WAGR (subject to being in the top 20) as at 17 June 2013
• The top 3 players from the LGU Order of Merit (or 7 or any number up to 7, if none within the top 20 of WAGR) as at 17 June 2013
•  Captain’s picks – 2 players
•  Reserves – the leading 2 players from the WAGR not already selected above

The new selection arrangements are intended to recognise modern playing schedules, be fit for purpose in choosing the best team available, and provide clarity and fairness for players, parents, National Organisations, coaches and the media.

The Junior Vagliano team, which will be selected by the more traditional method, will be announced on 3 June 2013.

Further information:

Shona Malcolm          
CEO
Ladies’ Golf Union
Tel: 0044 (0) 789 469 8222

Email:  shona.malcolm@lgu.org