In 1893, women led the way in getting golf organised and formalising how individuals, clubs, teams, counties, regions and nations can compete togather and against one another with the formation of the Ladies Golf Union.
While Issette Pearson becomes the first honorary secretary and Blanche Hulton the first honorary treasurer, the Union’s creation is also guided byfour progressive male allies who supported women’s right to self-govern their sport:
- Laidlaw Purves, member of St Andrews and architect of the men’s Amateur Championship, had previously failed to unite men’s clubs under one body but encouraged Pearson to do so for women. It was Purves who suggested that all ladies’ clubs be invited to participate and share their views on forming a union.
- Talbot Fair (Vice President for the North of England) and
- H. S. C. Everard (Vice President for Scotland) both lent organisational experience and credibility at a time when such public endorsement from men was rare.
- T. Gilroy represented Ireland, ensuring that the Union was inclusive across the four nations from its inception.