The International Golf Federation (IGF) was founded in 1958 and is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the world governing body for golf. The IGF has two membership categories representing the administration of golf internationally:
- 132 National Federation Members from 126 countries
- 22 Professional Members, mostly professional golf tours and Professional Golfers Associations
History
The Federation changed its name from the "World Amateur Golf Council" in 2003. It was founded in 1958 for the purpose of arranging international amateur competitions and it organises two World Amateur Team Championships, the Eisenhower Trophy for men and the Espirito Santo Trophy for women.
Secretariat
The headquarters of the IGF is located by the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Jurisdiction
Unlike most internationally recognised sports federations, the IGF is not responsible for developing, maintaining or administering the rules of golf. The rules are developed and administered for the North American countries of the United States and Mexico by the United States Golf Association (USGA), and for the balance of the world by the 'R&A', formerly a function of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
Events
Olympics
Golf was first an Olympic sport at the 1904 Games in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, when the United States and Canada were the only two competing countries. The globalisation of the sport has meant that following a couple of failed attempts the sport was included in the 2016 Olympic Games and will be included at the 2020 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee's executive board passing the inclusion by 63 votes to 27. IGF executive director Antony Scanlon told Olympic news outlet Around the Rings that top players such as Tiger Woods and Annika Sörenstam would show their commitment to golf's Olympic involvement by their participation in the Olympic events.
Category
National Federations
IGF comprises 132 federations from 126 countries
Continental / Regional Federations
The following seven regional association are formed with the IGF National Membership.
- Africa Golf Confederation
- Americas Golf Association
- Arab Golf Federation
- Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation
- Caribbean Golf Association
- European Golf Association
- South American Golf Federation
See also
- SportAccord
References
External links
- Official site