Received from GUI on 18th November 2019.

Golf Ireland Update

Nine months have passed since the historic decision to form Golf Ireland by clubs of the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union. Since then, intensive work has been underway behind the scenes to ensure a smooth implementation of the Golf Ireland Proposal and ultimately, the transition to a new single governing body.

The Transition Board have met eight times since their appointment in March 2019 and are determined to ensure their schedule for Golf Ireland to go live in January 2021 is delivered.

Alongside the tasks of the various Sub Committees, the first Chief Executive of Golf Ireland has been recruited. Mark Kennelly has had a distinguished career in Government and politics and promises to bring a wealth of strategic knowledge to his role. Kennelly will officially begin his tenure in mid-December but has already begun on a part-time basis as CEO Designate.

As mentioned, members of the Golf Ireland Sub Committees cover the following areas:

–          Finance and Governance

–          Branding, Logo and Website

–          Property and Office Accommodation

–          Handicapping

–          Competitions and Tournaments

–          Models of Club Governance

–          Organisational Structures

–          Volunteering

Significant steps taken to date include:

–          The development and planned launch of the Golf Ireland brand identity, logo and website with The Public House agency

–          Communication with club delegates at the GUI Provincial ADMs and ILGU District AGMs

–          The establishment of a volunteering Sub Committee which aims to continue the culture of volunteering at club, regional and national level, something which golf is heavily dependent on

–          Agreement that the first Regional AGMs of Golf Ireland, attended by clubs, will take place in November 2020. Additionally, in depth consultation regarding Regional structures and zones has taken place with current GUI and ILGU volunteers

While this important transition work is taking place, it is reiterated that, throughout the next 13 months, the GUI and ILGU will continue to operate as normal.

The Confederation of Golf will also be transferring to Golf Ireland as golf club development and club services continue to be a crucial offering of the new body.

Chairperson of the Transition Board Tim O’Connor said: ‘As a group, the Transition Board believe we are building on tremendous foundations based on the great legacy delivered by both Unions over the past 128 years. Some nine months into the transition period, I can report that there is a strong sense of common purpose and a shared determination that together we can and must make the most of  this exciting opportunity for golf on the island of Ireland, and deliver on its potential to the full.’

*Members of Transition Board: Tim O’Connor (Chairperson)(Edmondstown)); Pauline Bailie (Belvoir Park); Mary Culliton (The Heath); Ian Kerr (Royal Portrush); Brege McCarrick (Mullingar); Joe McNamara (The Heath); John Power (Portmarnock); Brian Punch (Castletroy); Fiona Scott (Dun Laoghaire).

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NEW HANDICAP SYSTEM SET FOR NOVEMBER 2020

The governing bodies of amateur golf in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales are delighted to announce that they have signed the licence for the new World Handicap System (WHS) which will come into operation on November 2, 2020.
As members of the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU), the Golfing Union of Ireland, the Irish Ladies Golf Union, England Golf, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf have supported The R&A and USGA in planning for the new system.
The current Golf Handicapping System maintained by CONGU will be replaced by WHS which will unify the six different handicapping structures currently in operation throughout the world of golf.

For the first time, handicap systems worldwide will be substituted by a global system where golfers will obtain and maintain a handicap and use this on any course around the world. In addition, they will be able to compete or simply play a casual round with fellow golfers anywhere on a fair and equal basis.
As well as encouraging players new to the sport to obtain a handicap with ease, the WHS will also modernise the game for those already well versed in the game of golf.
Under the new system a player’s handicap will be based on the average of eight best scores from their last 20 rounds. WHS will also take into account factors currently not fully represented in the existing handicapping procedure through a course and slope rating system.

Sinead Heraty, Chief Executive of the ILGU said: “The Irish Ladies Golf Union and the Golfing Union of Ireland are delighted that the new World Handicap System will come into practice in November 2020.
“The transition from an incremental system to an averaging one will be period of great change, however once a planned education process is complete, the new system will make handicapping much more consistent globally.”

Pat Finn, CEO of the Golfing Union of Ireland added: “We look forward to meeting with our member clubs over the coming months to outline the World Handicap System. With CONGU adopting the system for Ireland and Great Britain from late next year we need to ensure golfers across Ireland are prepared for the change.”

CONGU, the USGA, Golf Australia, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA) and the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) represent around 15 million golfers in 80 countries who currently maintain a handicap.
The aligning of all six handicapping authorities behind WHS is a hugely significant step in the modernisation of golf across the globe.
WHS has been introduced under the auspices of the USGA and The R&A.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A said: “The R&A’s purpose is to ensure golf is thriving in 50 years’ time and WHS is one of the key ways in which we can ensure the long-term health of the sport.
“We all want to encourage more people to take up golf and having a handicap which provides an accurate measure of playing ability is one of the best ways of achieving that.”

Further information about the new World Handicap System can be found via The R&A website at https://www.randa.org/WorldHandicapSystem

Alan Kelly
Communications & Academy Manager
Golfing Union of Ireland