History of the…

“THE WORLD ASSOCIATION OF LEFT HANDED GOLFERS”

A successful trip of Australian golfers to the USA and Canada organized by Doug Crosby and Terry Lennox to play in the 1976 US Nationals at Monterey, California, was followed by another group of Australians from Victoria and Tasmania who played in the British Lefthanders Society in 1979 in Shropshire, England. This was the start of international visits and competition. From talks during those visits, it was decided that an international competition and championship could be run successfully.

The first world Championship was held in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia during March 1979.

There have been 17 Championships to date with the 18th scheduled for Queenstown, New Zealand, 2 - 8 March 2008.

Countries represented at the championships have been Australia, England, Scotland, Canada, U.S.A., NewZealand, Japan, Taiwan, Finland, France Germany, Northern Ireland, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Switzerland, South Africa and Hong Kong.

The object of the WALG is to promote, encourage and foster the game of golf, and in particular left-handed golf throughout the world.

iIn addition to holding the competition for a World champion, there is also a senior’s (55+) a super senior's (70+) and ladies competition. The Senior competition has been designated the Tom James Memorial, in memory of one of the founders of lefthanded golf in America and a driving force behind the WALG.

The competition also has a team event in which the four low gross scores from each country represented and totaled. The country with the lowest total is awarded the Doug Crosby World Cup.

Left handed golfing Associations commenced as early as 1925, below is listed the history of 'Left-Handed Golfing Association, Country by Country.

USA - 1927

The first Left-Handed Association was formed in 1927 as the Washington State Left-Handed Golfers Association. However, there is evidence that a Left-Handed tournament was held in New England as early as 1925, The exact date and location is unknown.

In 1936 The National Association of Left-Handed Golfers was established. The first National Lefty Championship was played in September 1936 at Norwood Hills Country Club, St Louis Missouri. There are a number of Divisons throughout America each holding their own Championship with a National Championship played annually. NALG (USA) also conduct a National Left/Righty Championship. U.S.A. has hosted the World Championship on two occasions, Maui Hawaii 1981 and West Palm Beach, Florida 1994.

England - 1959

The first recorded event for left-handed golfers was the 'Quaich Bowl' played in 1934 at West Byfleet in Surray. In the early 1950's a group of 12 London Businessmen, all left-handers started playing golf socially, this resulted in the British Left-Handed Golfers Association being formed in 1959. Organised events are held monthly throughout the Country, with a National Championship being held annually. Matches against Scotland and Ireland are also held annually. The Scottish Left-Handers are based at Newtonmore where they hold an annual Championship. The matches against Ireland are held in Portpatrick, Scotland. To date one World Championship has been held in England, 1996 at The Warwickshire, Warwick.

Australia - 1966

The first Left-Handed event was played at Redcliffe Golf Club, Queensland on 22 November 1964. NALG (Aust) was founded on 17 July 1966 when delegates agreed to hold tournaments in various States. In 1984 'The Executive Secretariat' was formed which oversees the operation of left-handed golf in Australia. There are 10 Divisions throughout Australia, each holding their own Championship. with a National Championship played for annually. Australia has hosted three World championships, Sydney 1979, Surfers Paradise 1988 and Launceston, Tasmania 1998.

Taiwan - 1979

The first left-handed golfing event was played in Taipai, Taiwan in 1979. Later that same year NALG (Taiwan) was formed. There are three Divisions in Taiwan, Northern, Central and Southern. Each Division holds a monthly tournament, with a National championship played annually. Taiwan held the World Championship in Taipai in 1992.

Japan - 1982

The first Tournament for left-handed golfers was held in 1982 in the suburbs of Tokyo . There were similar stirrings in Osaka , Okinawa and Kanagawa. On the international front, three Japanese names can be seen in the program produced for the 5 th WALG Tournament held in Surfers Paradise, Australia in 1988. And since Taiwan 1991 Japan has been represented in every single WALG tournament. After the tournament in Taiwan , people from four regions above Tokyo , Osaka , Okinawa and Kanagawa, got together and talked about integrating these groups into one association. In 1994, NALG Japan was formed. There are 21 branches across the nation with some 1,500 members as a whole and each branch has at least three tournaments in a year. Japan hosted the World Championship in Otsu , Shiga in 1997.

Ireland - 1986

The National Association of left-Handed Golfers Ireland was formed in March 1986, they held their first left-handed event at the Tuam Golf Club on April, 1986. The Association conducts 6 or 7 events annually with the National championship being played in November each year. Ireland has hosted the World Championship twice, Galway 1990 and Dublin 2005.

Switzerland - 1989

The Swiss Association of Left-Handed Golfers was formed in Sierre, Valais in 1989 under the name 'Planet Left-Handed Golf Association.' They play an annual championship on the first Saturday of May each year.

Canada - 1998

The National Association of Left-Handed Golfers, Canada was formed in 1998. Prior to this many left handed golfers living in Canada were members of NALG (U.S.A.) Since 1998 NALG (Canada) hold regular events with the National Championship being played annually. To date two World Championships have been held in Canada 1985 and 2003 both in the City of Victoria, British Columbia. Forthcoming events can be identified on thier Web site.

Germany - 1999

The National Association of Left-Handed Golfers Germany was formed in August, 1999. Regular events are held with a National Championship being played annually. Germany hosted the 2000 World Championship.