Gillian Kirkwood at the SLGA County Centenary Lunch in 2009- click to enlargeIn the latest significant move in its modernisation project, the Ladies’ Golf Union (“LGU”) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chairman, Mrs. Gillian Kirkwood. Gillian takes up post with immediate effect, and, in a major change from past practice, will serve for a period of three years.
She succeeds Interim Chairman Mrs. Beryl Davies, who steps down after ably guiding the LGU through a transitional period.
Gillian brings a wealth of golf knowledge and business experience to the role of Chairman. A past LGU Councillor and past Chairman of the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association, she is also a highly experienced Rules Official and, reflecting her keen interest in the history of ladies’ golf, chairs the Board of Trustees of the Women Golfers’ Museum. In her previous term of office with the LGU, Gillian chaired the International Selection Committee and represented the organisation on the R&A Amateur Status Committee.
A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, the new Chairman will be responsible for leading the Executive Council of the LGU and the Board of its newly formed subsidiary, LGU Championships Limited. Her professional experience of business development and change management as a senior manager in the higher education sector leaves her well placed to do this with, in her own words, “diplomacy, determination and patience”.
Gillian is acutely aware of the issues facing ladies golf and says “I am honoured to be appointed chairman of the newly modernised LGU and am committed to working to protect the legacy the LGU has inherited and to meet the expectations of the LGU held by the golfing community. The LGU has a major role to play in encouraging golf at all levels and must remain as the strong voice for Ladies Golf.
The current team in the LGU has gained world-wide respect for its efficiency and competence in running events and managing the business, but cannot rest on its laurels and must maintain the pressure to constantly improve and refine what it does. I look forward to working with the Executive Council and the LGU team to achieve this.”