Important issues discussed on Day 2 of

R&A's Working for Golf Conference

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY R&A

April 30, 2009, St Andrews: Day two of the R&A’s Working for Golf conference took place today and continued to tackle issues that are high on the agenda of the sport. The international congregation of more than 140 delegates from golf unions and federations from 60 countries, heard presentations from a number of the R&A’s Executive Directors.
Steve Otto, Director of Research and Testing, gave a presentation about technology in golf, including the expected impact of the groove regulations introduced by The R&A last year, which come into effect in January 2010.

R&A Director Michael Tate provided an overview of the World Amateur Golf Ranking, explaining the evolution of the Ranking, which is increasingly being viewed as the standard by which elite amateur players should be assessed, and revealing that the WAGR is now being used by the European, Asian, Australasian and Sunshine Tours to exempt players into the later stages of qualifying for those Tours.
Completing today’s programme were David Rickman, the R&A’s Director of Rules and Equipment Standards, and Grant Moir, Director – Rules of Golf who gave presentations on the Rules of play, with pace of play and the impact of digital measuring devices both major elements of the discussion.
Tomorrow’s schedule includes presentations on golf’s bid to join the Olympics and the World Golf Federation’s anti-doping policy.