Approximately one quarter of Ireland's  400-plus affiliated clubs will sit down with the GUI and the ILGU over the next two months for focus-group sessions designed to help create a new organisation to govern the game on this island.

The Irish Ladies’ Golf Union (ILGU) and the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) are in the process of holding discussions regarding the creation of one governing body.

According to a joint statement issued today, "discussions to date have identified the need for both organisations, collectively, to consult with various stakeholders."

The statement went on:

These consultations will provide an opportunity for various stakeholders, including our clubs and club members, to voice their ideas and visions for one governing body. All clubs will be given an opportunity to participate in the consultation process and individual members of clubs will be surveyed for their views.

The aim is to draw out the perceptions and attitudes of the stakeholders so as to inform future steps in the process. This will lead to a model being presented to the member clubs of both organisations for decision.

The first round of consultations will involve focus-group sessions with a cross-section of member clubs at seven venues around the island of Ireland.

These sessions will take place over the next two months and will be attended by up to 15 clubs each, representing a quarter of the membership of both the ILGU and the GUI.

A further statement on progress will be issued later this year.