Sir, - A recent letter from Dr Barbara Ryan highlighted a number of issues on the rights of women as members of golf clubs, particularly those in Dublin, and other cities.
The recent Irish Times survey promoted as "the most comprehensive survey undertaken on the subject", asked a mere five questions:
1, The availability of full membership.
2, When it was granted.
3, Why it was not availed of.
4, The size of the club membership (male and female).
5, The difference in fees between men and women.
The Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) was not interviewed on the subject nor, as far as can be established, was the ladies branch of any golf club consulted. Therefore, the replies given in this "most comprehensive survey" appear to have been given by men.
The ILGU is very concerned about the subject of full membership for women golfers. At its annual meeting in January, there was an overwhelming vote from all golf clubs present that the union should actively promote equal status for women golfers. Having already conducted a survey in 1991, the results of which were circulated to all affiliated clubs, the ILGU recognised that an update should be commissioned and consequently appointed Landsdowne Market Research to carry out a comprehensive survey. The first phase, which has just been completed through a series of regional meetings, involved qualitative research to explore feelings, attitudes, motivations and opinions so that the issues underpinning full membership and equal status could be understood. This will be followed up by a postal questionnaire to all affiliated clubs based on the issues of relevance to women golfers which were highlighted at the regional meetings.
It is expected that this survey will answer some of the questions posed by Barbara Ryan. It will certainly be a thorough, well researched survey, based on first hand consultation with women golfers from every county in Ireland.
Finally, the issue of full membership and equal status must not be confused. Equal status implies equality in the broadest sense of the term, not just the right to full membership. - Yours, etc.,
From Eileen Fingleton
Chairman, ILGU Survey Committee, Irish Ladies Golf Union, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 14.