The English Golf Union is the governing body for men's and boys' amateur golf in England. It represents over 1,900 golf clubs with over 740,000 members and is affiliated to The R&A, which is the global governing body of golf outside the United States and Mexico.
The English Golf Union was founded in 1924 and is based at the National Golf Centre in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. It is a non-profit making organisation and is funded mainly by affiliation fees paid by golfers as part of their club membership fee. It organises individual and team championships for all age groups from boys to seniors, including the flagship English Amateur Championship (a match play event), and the English Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship (the Brabazon Trophy). (These events are less prestigious than the equivalent events run on an all-Britain & Ireland basis by The R&A.) It also runs the handicapping system for men's golf in England and works to increase the interest and participation in golf among adults and juniors.
Famous quotes containing the words english, golf and/or union:
“It is hard to believe that England is so near as from your letters it appears; and that this identical piece of paper has lately come all the way from there hither, begrimed with the English dust which made you hesitate to use it; from England, which is only historical fairyland to me, to America, which I have put my spade into, and about which there is no doubt.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“A golf course is nothing but a pool room moved outdoors.”
—Frank Butler (1890–1967)
“My Christian friends, in bonds of love, whose hearts in sweetest union join,
Your friendship’s like a drawing band, yet we must take the parting hand.
Your company’s sweet, your union dear; Your words delightful to my ear,
Yet when I see that we must part, You draw like cords around my heart.”
—John Blain (18th century)