The membership of the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association (SLGA) have given the latest proposal for a merger with the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) their unanimous support.
At the organisation's annual general meeting in Edinburgh yesterday, the "yes" vote received a complete majority of 204-0.
The focus now switches to the men, who will vote on the modified proposal for amalgamation in March once the results of an independent poll of clubs have been collated and reviewed.
The members of the SLGA had given the original document on amalgamation their overwhelming support (93%) in 2011 but the process faltered when the men's 16 Area associations, who represent the clubs within the SGU, rejected the plan by a margin of 10-6.
While failing to agree on a way forward four years ago, the actual principle of amalgamation had always been supported by the men's Areas and the various bodies, from both sides, returned to the drawing board for a prolonged series of discussions aimed at finding a resolution. Along with Ireland and South Africa, Scotland remains the only country without a unified body for amateur golf while every other sporting governing organisation in the nation operates as one.
"We are absolutely delighted that, for a second time, the voting members of the SLGA have backed the proposal to amalgamate with the SGU," said Beth Paterson, the chairperson of the SLGA. "Even though the vote last time was also in favour, you can never be sure of anything. Amalgamation between the SGU and SLGA is in the best interests of golf. We are relieved to get our part done and now we can only sit back and let the men go through their process and see what happens."
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