Blanche Martin Hulton — Honorary Treasurer, Ladies’ Golf Union (1893 → 1890s)
A Founding Steward of Women’s Golf and a Champion of its Integrity
Among the pioneering figures who laid the foundations of organised women’s golf, Blanche Martin Hulton stands out as one of the early architects of trust, order, and good governance. As Honorary Treasurer of the Ladies’ Golf Union (LGU) in its formative years, she helped give structure and stability to a movement that was defining its voice, its purpose, and its future.
When the LGU was founded in 1893, it was an ambitious and unprecedented venture — women taking responsibility for their own game, their championships, and their community. Blanche Martin Hulton, then a member of the Southdown and Brighton Ladies’ Golf Club, was appointed to manage the Union’s finances. Her address, listed at 35 Brunswick Square, Brighton, appears in the earliest records of the LGU’s formation.
In an age when few women handled financial roles in sport or business, Hulton’s appointment reflected not only her capability but also her peers’ confidence in her judgment and integrity. Her careful management ensured that subscriptions, championships, and the early network of affiliated clubs could grow sustainably. She worked closely with fellow pioneers Issette Pearson, May Hezlet, and others who believed that women should not only play golf but govern it themselves, setting a precedent that lasted for more than a century.
Blanche was not confined to administration alone — she also appeared in early championship results, including the 1895 LGU Championship at Portrush, where she posted a competitive round. Her active involvement both on and off the course reflects the spirit of those first generations of women golfers — enthusiastic players who became builders, organisers, and advocates for equality in the game.
Milestones & Contributions
| Year | Event / Contribution | Notes |
| 1893 | Appointed Honorary Treasurer of the Ladies’ Golf Union | Represented Southdown & Brighton Ladies’ Golf Club; address listed at 35 Brunswick Square, Brighton |
| 1894 | Supported admission of new ladies’ clubs (e.g., Folkestone Ladies’ Club) to the LGU | Demonstrated her role in expanding the Union’s reach |
| 1895 | Competed in the LGU Championship at Royal Portrush | Recorded a net score of 83; shows she was an active player as well as an administrator |
| 1890s onward | Continued to serve and advise within LGU council circles | Part of the founding group that stabilised the Union’s financial and organisational foundation |
Legacy & Recognition
Blanche Martin Hulton’s influence was quiet but profound. As treasurer, she helped set a tone of transparency, responsibility, and unity — qualities that allowed the LGU to thrive for generations. Her work exemplified the early ethos of the organisation:
“Women’s golf, managed by women, for the advancement of all women golfers.”
Her role reminds us that the strength of women’s golf did not come solely from champions and great swings, but also from the stewards behind the scenes — those who ensured the game could flourish with fairness, camaraderie, and financial integrity.
Through Blanche Martin Hulton and her peers, women’s golf found not only its voice but also its backbone. The LGU’s success for over a century, culminating in its 2017 integration with The R&A, rests on the groundwork laid by pioneering administrators like her — women who believed that golf was more than a game; it was a community worth building and protecting.