Solheim Cup:The Irish Ladies Golfing Union (ILGU) yesterday expressed surprise at the view that the game in Ireland needs a make-over before 2011, when the Solheim Cup will be staged at Killeen Castle in Co Meath.

The former Irish professional and current International Management Group (IMG) executive Roddy Carr said yesterday that women's golf in Ireland will under go "a complete, out-of-the-box-change" in terms of image.

Carr has been brought back to Ireland to heavily promote the Solheim Cup, as well as to reinvigorate the next five Women's Irish Opens, starting next year.

His plan is to align the image of the sport of golf along the lines of tennis.

But the ILGU have denied the image of golf in Ireland needs changing.

"It's very surprising, because the reality is that the image of ladies golf in Ireland has changed and is changing, especially at elite level," said ILGU chief executive Sinead Heraty.

"I'm down at the Irish Championships now and the age profile is radically different to what it used to be.

"The likes of the Maguire sisters, at 12 years of age, as well as Tara Delaney and her sister, Karen, (in college at Kent State University in Ohio) are phenomenal young talents.

"There are now a large number of girls who have the capability of winning the Irish championship, which was not the case a few years ago."

Carr's thinking is that players such as Michele Wie and Paula Creamer set trends in world golf and draw significant sponsorship, and that the Women's Irish Open has suffered over the years from poor attendances.

"I see a completely out-of-the-box change involving fashion, lifestyle and food. We promised that we would do this and we have a very aggressive plan," said Carr. "If you look at the way ladies tennis has grown, with the different corporations and companies involved, that is what we are trying to do.

"We will be innovative and very aggressive about it."