The merger of the English Golf Union and the English Women's Golf Association has been voted in at simultaneous general meetings of both organisations.
English golf's governing bodies have merged
The merger will come into effect on January 1 and will create England Golf, one national governing body to represent all amateur players in the country.
The proposal, which needed a 75% majority amongst voting members, was approved by 86% of the EGU and 100% of the EWGA.
Nigel Evans, EGU chairman, and Sylvia Perrins, EWGA's interim chairman, said in a joint statement: "This merger is in the best interests of golf and we are delighted that it has been given overwhelming support by our members.
"We look forward to a new era and to realising our vision for the future.
"England Golf will speak with one voice and send out the powerful, modern message that golf is a game for all - for men and women, boys and girls.
"A unified organisation, which promotes both the men's and women's game, will be more attractive to new golfers, will help us to grow the game, will be more appealing to commercial partners and sponsors and will mean we can be more cost effective."
Following lengthy discussions, the proposal was produced and ratified by the boards of both organisations before being put to the voting members.
The headquarters of England Golf will initially be the National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa, although the EWGA offices in Edgbaston will remain in use until at least October 2012.
Counties will continue to be the voting members and will be encouraged to merge their own unions and associations, but this will not be mandatory.
The Board of England Golf will initially include 10 stakeholder non-executive directors, six nominated by the EGU and four women nominated by the EWGA.
The first sole president of England Golf will be a woman and will be supported by the immediate past president and the president-elect. One of these three will always be a woman.
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