Opening Golf to the World
Royal and Ancient Golf Club
Obituary - Brigid McCaw
09 Sep 26
3 mins
Brigid McCaw, one of the most prominent and respected figures in British and Irish women’s amateur golf, has passed away at the age of 87.
Brigid made an extraordinary contribution to women and girls’ golf in Ireland and beyond over many decades, serving with distinction at club, regional, national and international level. Her leadership, dedication and enthusiasm for the sport has left a lasting impact on countless players, clubs and organisations. An honorary member and past Captain of Royal County Down Ladies’ Golf Club, Brigid served for many years on the Executive Committees of both the District and Irish Ladies’ Golf Union (ILGU) Councils and was elected President of the ILGU in 2019 as the separate men’s and women’s bodies prepared to merge as Golf Ireland in 2021. She joined the Executive of the Ladies’ Golf Union (LGU) in 2006, where she served on the LGU Rules and Regulations Committee before being appointed as Chairman at the 2009 AGM in Belfast. Four years later she became just the fifth Irish woman to become President of the organisation.
Brigid McCaw (left) pictured alongside Catriona Matthew after her Women's British Open win at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2009.
One of Brigid’s great loves was supporting junior golf. A stint as Royal County Down’s Junior Convenor saw her preside over three victories in the prestigious Smurfit All-Ireland Foursomes junior event and she served as a junior selector at both District and National level and captained several Irish girls’ national teams.
Brigid worked for many years as a production assistant for Ulster Television before retiring to concentrate on her golf activities. She was also a fully qualified R&A referee, officiating at many national and international championships and matches, including the Curtis Cup, the Vagliano Trophy and the Women’s British Open.
She developed a referee school education pathway across Ireland to secure the future of women referees in Ireland, many of whom have benefited and gone on to referee at international level.
Brigid’s husband, Harry, also a member and past Captain at Royal County Down, was Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 1996, the first Northern Irishman in the Club’s then near 250-year history to hold this office and was accompanied by Brigid on numerous official trips abroad. “Fortunately, she doesn’t need much persuading,” he said at the time.
Harry and Brigid are survived by their three children Gordon, Anita and Kenneth.
A service of Thanksgiving will be held at 2pm on Friday 11 September at St Johns Church, Newcastle, Co Down.