BARBARA McGregor, a 10-times ladies' champion, has become the first woman to be elected to the general committee at Kirkintilloch since the club was formed 105 years ago. Women have had a full vote since 1967 - an enlightened position in comparision to most clubs - but two previous attempts by women to breach this bastion of male domination proved unsuccessful in the club where women are outnumbered by a factor of five to one.

McGregor said: ''Golf has been an important part of my life and when I took early retirement from my teaching job I felt I had the time to give something back to the club and to golf. That is why I stood for election. There was a large representation of ladies at the meeting, but I could not have succeeded had there not been generous support from the men.''

The 58-year-old plays off a handicap of 12 and has been a member since she was 10. Now that she has a place on the 11-person committee, the scenario exists for her to follow her father as club captain.