Members at both clubs backed the move, the latest step since Royal Aberdeen opened its membership to women in 2018, and one both sides say will strengthen pathways for girls and young female golfers at Balgownie.
Members of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and Aberdeen Ladies Golf Club have voted to unite into a single club, with the integration taking effect on 1 September 2026.
The two clubs have shared the Balgownie links for over a century. Royal Aberdeen was founded in 1780, one of the oldest clubs in the world, and Aberdeen Ladies followed in 1892. Wednesday’s vote builds on a 2018 decision by Royal Aberdeen members to permit mixed-gender membership.
Carron Taylor, Captain of Aberdeen Ladies Golf Club, said the vote was a positive one for the future. “Our members have embraced the opportunity to join with Royal Aberdeen in creating a stronger club for future generations,” she said, adding that the merger opens up “opportunities for young golfers and for the continued growth of women’s golf at Balgownie.”
Laurence McLeod, Captain of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, said the integration gives girls and young women a clearer route into the game, and thanked members and committee volunteers from both clubs for the work behind the decision.
What happens next
Legal completion follows on 1 September, with joint governance and clubhouse working groups established over the next year. Junior and ladies’ pathways will be developed through to 2030, when Royal Aberdeen marks its 250th anniversary as a fully integrated club.
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