About the ILGU - Irish Ladies' Golf Union History

The Irish Ladies Golf Union was established at a meeting of the Girls' Friendly Society Lodge in Belfast on Friday, December 15, 1893. Two Ulster women drove the initiative - Miss McGee of Royal Belfast Golf Club and Mrs Mann of Royal Portrush Golf Club. They acted after hearing news that a Ladies' Golf Union had been formed across the Irish Sea in England earlier that year.

The ILGU was founded just two years after the Golfing Union of Ireland, which was established in 1891 as the first national golfing union anywhere in the world. Together, the GUI and ILGU became known as the oldest governing bodies in world golf, operating independently from each other for over 120 years.

From its foundation, the ILGU depended heavily on volunteers who worked to support women's golf across Ireland. The union's core mission remained consistent throughout its history - to support the playing, performance, and development of female golfers in Ireland. For more on Ireland's golf history and courses, visit our homepage.

The ILGU operated from national headquarters in Sandyford, Dublin. The union organized Irish women's golf through five administrative districts:

Ulster, East Leinster, Mid Leinster, Connacht, and Munster. Each district ran its own elected District Executive to support clubs and competitions within the region. This provincial structure mirrored the men's GUI organization and reflected Ireland's traditional four provinces plus the division of Leinster. For more on provincial golf governance, see our guide to golf in Ulster.

At its peak, the ILGU had approximately 50,000 members across 368 golf clubs, making it the seventh largest sports association in Ireland by 2008. Golf became the highest participation female sport in Ireland, with women aged 8 to 88 playing regularly at ILGU-affiliated clubs across urban and rural areas.

The ILGU administered national and district tournaments annually for players of all ages and standards. The union also selected teams to represent Ireland internationally at Under-18, women's, and seniors (over 50) levels. Ireland's women golfers competed in the Curtis Cup, European championships, and other international events under the ILGU organization.

The ILGU's 128-year history produced remarkable Irish ladies' golf champions. The union's members won 8 Ladies British Amateur Open Championships, with Philomena Garvey claiming the title in 1957 as one of Ireland's most celebrated amateur victories. The ILGU produced 22 Curtis Cup representatives who competed for Great Britain and Ireland against the United States in biennial matches.

Modern Irish women's golf reached new heights under ILGU governance. Leona Maguire became Ireland's first LPGA Tour winner and represented Ireland at the 2020 Olympics, one of two ILGU-developed Olympians. The union's work establishing pathways for elite women golfers enabled Irish ladies to compete successfully at the highest professional and amateur levels.

The ILGU administered women's championships, including the Irish Women's Close Championship, provincial championships in Ulster, Leinster, Munster, and Connacht, and numerous scratch cups for elite amateurs. These tournaments remain central to Irish women's golf today under Golf Ireland governance. For current tournament schedules and results, visit our Irish golf tournaments calendar. 

The Golfing Union of Ireland, established in 1891, governed men's and boys' amateur golf in Ireland. The GUI's formation predated the ILGU by two years and made Ireland the first country in the world with a national golfing union. Twenty-eight golf clubs already existed in Ireland before the GUI's foundation, though they were known as "greens" at that time.

The GUI grew to 166,419 members by 2008, making it the third-largest sports association in Ireland. The union administered men's championships, provincial competitions, and Ireland's international amateur teams. The GUI developed the handicapping system for Irish golf and represented Irish clubs in national golf governance.

Both the GUI and ILGU operated the World Handicap System in Ireland after its 2020 launch, which replaced the previous CONGU handicapping. The WHS brought Ireland into alignment with global handicapping standards. Learn more about how the World Handicap System works for Irish golfers.

Discussions to merge the GUI and ILGU began with a consultation process in 2015. The two unions, both over 120 years old, recognized that combining into a single governing body would strengthen Irish golf's voice and streamline administration. After separate votes by GUI and ILGU representatives in 2018, both organizations agreed to form Golf Ireland.

The new combined body commenced operations in 2020, initially operating in a transitional capacity alongside the GUI and ILGU. The GUI ceased operations on January 1, 2021, when Golf Ireland became fully operational. Golf Ireland held its first general meeting and ratified its first board and association president in February 2021.

The Confederation of Golf in Ireland, an umbrella organization formed in 2013 by the GUI, ILGU, and Professional Golfers' Association, was dissolved following Golf Ireland's formation. Golf Ireland now serves as the single governing body for all amateur golf across the island of Ireland, representing both men and women.

Golf Ireland continues the ILGU and GUI's legacy while unifying Irish golf governance. The organization administers all national championships, provincial competitions, and international team selections for Irish amateur golfers. Golf Ireland operates the handicapping system, supports club development, and represents Ireland in international golf governance.

Women's golf competitions that the ILGU pioneered continue under Golf Ireland's administration. Provincial championships, national championships, and international team selections maintain the same standards and traditions established during the ILGU's 128 years of governance. The five-district administrative structure remains in place to support clubs and competitions across Ireland.

Golf Ireland oversees Irish representation in professional events, including the Irish Open and amateur competitions that attract international fields. Many of these tournaments generate betting interest from golf fans. For current golf betting markets and bookmaker comparison across Irish golf events, visit our golf betting page.

Ireland's golf community benefits from unified governance that strengthens the sport's position. The merger preserved the best practices from both the GUI and ILGU while creating efficiencies and improving support for clubs and golfers nationwide. For live tournament scores and results from Irish golf competitions, check our live golf scores page.

Golf Ireland's formation represents a significant moment in Irish sporting history - two of the world's oldest golf governing bodies combining to create a modern, unified organization that serves all Irish golfers equally.