The Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) (Irish: Aontas Gailf na hÉireann (AGÉ)) was the governing body for men's and boy's amateur golf across the island of Ireland. Formed in 1891, the GUI was the first national golfing union to be established anywhere in the world,[1] and operated separately from the (female) Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) which was founded shortly afterwards in 1893. In 2018, the two "oldest governing bodies in world golf" agreed to amalgamate to form a new joint governing organisation, with this successor body, Golf Ireland, initially operating in a transitional capacity. The GUI ceased operations once Golf Ireland became fully operational on 1 January 2021[2] (holding its first general meeting in February 2021).[3][4][5]
It is suggested that the origins of the GUI were based in the desire by a number of golf clubs to create an Irish Championship.[6] There were 28 clubs already established in Ireland before the foundation of the Union, although they were known as 'greens' at that time.[7] The organisation was established at a meeting in Belfast on 13 November 1891, which was attended by representatives of nine clubs, all of which were located in the province of Ulster. The founding clubs were The County Down, The County Club at Portrush, Royal Belfast, Killymoon, Dungannon, Aughnacloy, Ballycastle, Portsalon and North West Golf Club, Lisfannon.[citation needed]
Handicapping system
The GUI introduced a handicapping system in 1897 and this was thought to be the most far-reaching advance in the promotion of the game.[8] At that time, individual clubs implemented their own systems, based on the scores of their most consistent player; using him as a back-marker and allocating other players shots accordingly. The GUI adopted a similar approach in developing the first universal handicapping system, and used one Thomas Gilroy as the back-marker. Gilroy was born in Dundee in 1852 and was played at Carnoustie Golf Club at the age of seven.[9] He was educated at St. Andrews where he received tuition from both Old and Young Tom Morris. He moved to Ireland in 1885 and was by far the most consistent player there over the next ten years, holding the course record for a number of the courses in existence in the country at that time.[10]
The new handicapping system set out the range of handicaps in 10 classes from plus to 30 and laid down specific allowances for matchplay, whereby the weaker player would not be disadvantaged by the stronger. It also introduced the concept of using yardage measurements to establish the par score of a hole or course. This is the first time that the word par appears in golf, defined as the number of strokes in which a hole or round can be taken without mistakes.[11]
Growth
The original charter of the GUI prescribed that each affiliated club was entitled to send forward up to three delegates to every meeting. By 1911, 163 clubs had become affiliated to the organisation and this became impractical. It became necessary to draw up a new constitution which provided for the establishment of a 'central council' and four provincial councils. This new constitution was ratified in April 1913.[12]
As of 2018, the GUI represented 430 golf clubs and had 170,000 members.[13]
Amalgamation
The Golfing Union of Ireland (or GUI; the men's association founded in 1891) and Irish Ladies Golf Union (or ILGU; the ladies' association founded in 1893) operated as separate organisations for over 120 years. Following a consultation process which commenced in 2015,[14] and after separate votes by representatives of both the GUI and ILGU,[15] the two "oldest governing bodies in world golf" agreed to form a new joint governing organisation for golf in Ireland.[16] The new combined body, "Golf Ireland", commenced in 2020, and held its first general meeting (and ratified its first board and association president) in February 2021.[5][4] As of mid-2021, the Golf Ireland website stated that it is "the single governing body for golf in Ireland. Established in 2020 it continues on from the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) and the Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU)" and that it was "established to replace its two predecessors, the GUI and the ILGU" and to reflect their heritage in its documentation.[3]
Organisation
The GUI consisted of a 'central council' and four provincial branches, namely the Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster branches. Each provincial branch managed the golfing affairs of that province, with all clubs in the province affiliated to that branch. Branch delegates were elected by club members on an annual basis, with each branch having delegates on the central council. The head of the central council was known as president of the GUI and the four branch chairmen were vice-presidents. The presidency, held for one-year, rotated between the four provinces.[citation needed]
As of 2008, the four main officers of the GUI were the president, honorary secretary, honorary treasurer and the president elect. These four, along with two representatives from each of the provincial branches and the immediate past president, made up the 13-member executive committee.[17]
^"Kerry's Ferriter elected President of GUI". Golfing Union of Ireland. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2021. ...it's the last year of the Union... to 31st December 2020 ...
^"'Worrying' drop in NI golf club membership". bbc.com. BBC. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
^"Golf Ireland is born as GUI and ILGU join forces". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
^"History made as ILGU & GUI join forces". rte.ie. RTÉ. 19 January 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
^"GUI and ILGU agree on proposal to form unified body". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
^. GUI Website. Archived from the original on 11 November 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2008.
Sources
Menton, William A (1991). The Golfing Union of Ireland, 1891 - 1991. p. 14.
McKendry, Adam (1 March 2021). "Golf in Ireland set for 'fantastic' future with men and women working together, says new president". belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
Keogh, Brian (27 February 2021). "Golf Ireland ratifies its first board; John White first President". irishgolfdesk.com. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
"About Golf Ireland". Golf Ireland. Retrieved 1 August 2021. Golf Ireland was established to replace its two predecessors, the GUI and the ILGU – the two oldest golfing unions in the world
External links
. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021.
January 20, 2023
golfing, union, ireland, irish, aontas, gailf, hÉireann, agÉ, governing, body, amateur, golf, across, island, ireland, formed, 1891, first, national, golfing, union, established, anywhere, world, operated, separately, from, female, irish, ladies, golf, union, . The Golfing Union of Ireland GUI Irish Aontas Gailf na hEireann AGE was the governing body for men s and boy s amateur golf across the island of Ireland Formed in 1891 the GUI was the first national golfing union to be established anywhere in the world 1 and operated separately from the female Irish Ladies Golf Union ILGU which was founded shortly afterwards in 1893 In 2018 the two oldest governing bodies in world golf agreed to amalgamate to form a new joint governing organisation with this successor body Golf Ireland initially operating in a transitional capacity The GUI ceased operations once Golf Ireland became fully operational on 1 January 2021 2 holding its first general meeting in February 2021 3 4 5 Golfing Union of IrelandAontas Gailf na hEireannSportAmateur GolfAbbreviationGUIFounded1891AffiliationThe R amp ALocationCarton House MaynoothReplacedBy Golf Ireland Closure date2021 Contents 1 History 1 1 Origins 1 2 Handicapping system 1 3 Growth 1 4 Amalgamation 2 Organisation 3 References 3 1 Notes 3 2 Sources 4 External linksHistory EditSee also Golf in Ireland Origins Edit It is suggested that the origins of the GUI were based in the desire by a number of golf clubs to create an Irish Championship 6 There were 28 clubs already established in Ireland before the foundation of the Union although they were known as greens at that time 7 The organisation was established at a meeting in Belfast on 13 November 1891 which was attended by representatives of nine clubs all of which were located in the province of Ulster The founding clubs were The County Down The County Club at Portrush Royal Belfast Killymoon Dungannon Aughnacloy Ballycastle Portsalon and North West Golf Club Lisfannon citation needed Handicapping system Edit The GUI introduced a handicapping system in 1897 and this was thought to be the most far reaching advance in the promotion of the game 8 At that time individual clubs implemented their own systems based on the scores of their most consistent player using him as a back marker and allocating other players shots accordingly The GUI adopted a similar approach in developing the first universal handicapping system and used one Thomas Gilroy as the back marker Gilroy was born in Dundee in 1852 and was played at Carnoustie Golf Club at the age of seven 9 He was educated at St Andrews where he received tuition from both Old and Young Tom Morris He moved to Ireland in 1885 and was by far the most consistent player there over the next ten years holding the course record for a number of the courses in existence in the country at that time 10 The new handicapping system set out the range of handicaps in 10 classes from plus to 30 and laid down specific allowances for matchplay whereby the weaker player would not be disadvantaged by the stronger It also introduced the concept of using yardage measurements to establish the par score of a hole or course This is the first time that the word par appears in golf defined as the number of strokes in which a hole or round can be taken without mistakes 11 Growth Edit The original charter of the GUI prescribed that each affiliated club was entitled to send forward up to three delegates to every meeting By 1911 163 clubs had become affiliated to the organisation and this became impractical It became necessary to draw up a new constitution which provided for the establishment of a central council and four provincial councils This new constitution was ratified in April 1913 12 As of 2018 the GUI represented 430 golf clubs and had 170 000 members 13 Amalgamation Edit The Golfing Union of Ireland or GUI the men s association founded in 1891 and Irish Ladies Golf Union or ILGU the ladies association founded in 1893 operated as separate organisations for over 120 years Following a consultation process which commenced in 2015 14 and after separate votes by representatives of both the GUI and ILGU 15 the two oldest governing bodies in world golf agreed to form a new joint governing organisation for golf in Ireland 16 The new combined body Golf Ireland commenced in 2020 and held its first general meeting and ratified its first board and association president in February 2021 5 4 As of mid 2021 the Golf Ireland website stated that it is the single governing body for golf in Ireland Established in 2020 it continues on from the Golfing Union of Ireland GUI and the Irish Ladies Golf Union ILGU and that it was established to replace its two predecessors the GUI and the ILGU and to reflect their heritage in its documentation 3 Organisation EditThe GUI consisted of a central council and four provincial branches namely the Connacht Leinster Munster and Ulster branches Each provincial branch managed the golfing affairs of that province with all clubs in the province affiliated to that branch Branch delegates were elected by club members on an annual basis with each branch having delegates on the central council The head of the central council was known as president of the GUI and the four branch chairmen were vice presidents The presidency held for one year rotated between the four provinces citation needed As of 2008 the four main officers of the GUI were the president honorary secretary honorary treasurer and the president elect These four along with two representatives from each of the provincial branches and the immediate past president made up the 13 member executive committee 17 References EditNotes Edit Menton 1991 p 14 Kerry s Ferriter elected President of GUI Golfing Union of Ireland 15 February 2020 Retrieved 1 August 2021 it s the last year of the Union to 31st December 2020 a b Golf Ireland 2021 a b McKendry 2021 a b Keogh 2021 Menton 1991 p 12 Menton 1991 p 6 Menton 1991 p 18 Golf Thomas Gilroy Biography 17 February 1893 Menton 1991 p 36 Low John J ed Nisbet s Golf Yearbook 1905 Menton 1991 p 49 Worrying drop in NI golf club membership bbc com BBC 14 April 2018 Retrieved 1 August 2021 Golf Ireland is born as GUI and ILGU join forces irishtimes com Irish Times 20 January 2019 Retrieved 1 August 2021 History made as ILGU amp GUI join forces rte ie RTE 19 January 2019 Retrieved 1 August 2021 GUI and ILGU agree on proposal to form unified body independent ie Independent News amp Media 31 May 2018 Retrieved 1 August 2021 About Us GUI Website Archived from the original on 11 November 2008 Retrieved 4 February 2008 Sources Edit Menton William A 1991 The Golfing Union of Ireland 1891 1991 p 14 McKendry Adam 1 March 2021 Golf in Ireland set for fantastic future with men and women working together says new president belfasttelegraph co uk Belfast Telegraph Retrieved 1 August 2021 Keogh Brian 27 February 2021 Golf Ireland ratifies its first board John White first President irishgolfdesk com Retrieved 1 August 2021 About Golf Ireland Golf Ireland Retrieved 1 August 2021 Golf Ireland was established to replace its two predecessors the GUI and the ILGU the two oldest golfing unions in the worldExternal links Edit Former archived GUI website Archived from the original on 1 August 2021 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Golfing Union of Ireland amp oldid 1060654158, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
