§ Lord Faulkner of Worcesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness lackstone on 9 January (WA 227), whether they gree with the statement made by the Royal and ncient Golf Club of St Andrews, contained on ages 2, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 in its publication Rules of Amateur Status, that "In Great Britain and Ireland, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is the Governing Body". [HL1481]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone)In my previous reply to my noble friend (WA 227) I indicated that the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews is the international governing body for golf (with the exception of the United States of America).
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews holds a unique position in the world game. Over the last two centuries it has evolved as the leading authority in the world game, and golf clubs throughout Britain have looked to it for guidance. The club currently has responsibility for the administration of the rules of golf in conjuction with the United States Golf Association; the running of the Open Championships; the development of the game in existing and emerging golfing nations and the operation of a private club with almost 2,400 members.
In terms of its status as the governing body I do not consider it is the role of government to determine the organisations which should be acknowledged as the governing body for a sport.