About the English Ladies' Golf Association

ELGA president Diane Bailey brings six decades of experience to her role – and an ambition to share the pleasures of golf.

“Golf has been so good to me and anything I can do to help other golfers get such pleasure from the game will be most rewarding,” she said as she took office for 2006 and 2007.

Diane has been involved in golf since she was a girl as a player, team member, captain and administrator.

“Little did I know all those years ago when my father forced a club into my hands, and insisted I swing it, that golf would become such an important part of my life. I've been very fortunate,” she said.

She noted: “There have been many changes in recent years, perhaps the most significant being the advent of Sport England funding, which is not just for our Elite and international players. It is also intended to get more players into the game and into golf clubs, now that golf is ranked in the top ten sports in the UK .

“In the top ten it may be, and I'm delighted about that, but I earnestly believe that, in terms of it's integrity, it is unequalled.

“It is also a sport that can be enjoyed equally at all levels, so whilst supporting our England teams, from juniors to seniors, I also hope to have the opportunity to visit many golf clubs in England , and meet their members, during my two years as president.”

Diane was an England girl international at 14, a full England international at 17 and represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Curtis Cup, Vagliano Trophy and World Cup teams. Later, she captained the Curtis Cup and Vagliano teams, recording four victories from five matches, and steered England to consecutive European Team Championship victories in 1991 and 1993

More recently, as ELGA's chairman of training, she was involved in the development of the Elite squads and the subsequent acquisition of Lottery funding for the Whole Sport plan to encourage more people to Start, Stay a nd Succeed at golf.

Diane was awarded the MBE for services to golf in 1988 and is an honorary member at Reigate Heath, Walton Heath and Enville.

Diane Bailey MBE
ELGA President

Diane Bailey MBE
ELGA President