At a function announcing the tie up at GUI's new headquarters in Carton House last Tuesday, AIG Europe property manager Simon Russell said his organisation saw this sponsorship as a natural progression, given the close association it has had with the GUI over the past decade.

GUI President Mr Tommy Basquille welcomed the arrival of both AIG and the Sunday Tribune as sponsors of the members' cards and said he was confident the scheme would go from strength-tostrength.

AIG is the home of Golfsure and the leading insurer of golf clubs in Ireland today.

Over 280 clubs are insured by them and it has been supporting amateur golf in Ireland since 1998.

GolfSure has sponsored the Irish Close Championship since 2000, the senior interprovincial championship since 1998 and the boys and youth Interprovincials since 2005.

Under the Golfsure Personal policy over 90,000 golfers are insured under a system where the insurers donate Euro1 of every policy to the Beaumont Hospital Foundation. Since 2004, this system has added up to over Euro250,000.

In conjunction with the launch of the new card, AIG is introducing new motor and household products for GUI smart card holders. For further information see www. aig. ie.

Members should use their GUI member cards when playing in all singles competitions. Use of the card in open Singles competition at away clubs ensures the prompt electronic return of scores which have to the home club.

Members can access details of their handicap by logging on to www. golfnet. ie and keying in their eight digit GUI Member Number and password.

First time users should use the default password which is 'golfnet'.

Away scores which have yet to be processed by your home club can be seen under the away scores link and players can determine the effect of such scores on their handicap as the CSS is published under this link.

GOLFnet also allows members the option to check their handicap using their mobile phones. Simply text your member number to 086 3832600 and you will receive a reply detailing your exact handicap and the date that your club last updated the GOLFnet website.

Members also have the opportunity to compete in an All Ireland order of Merit.

This is a Golfer of the Year type event which uses the central database of handicaps to compare your scores against entrants from other affiliated clubs. It costs Euro15 to enter and 100% of entry fees are donated to charity. Further details can be be accessed at www. golfnet. ie/charity.

The GUI, which was founded in 1891, is the oldest golfing union in the world but is also one of the most progressive and proactive golfing organisations. For instance it is the only one of the four home unions with an online handicap system now in place and last year moved to National Headquarters in Carton and opened the Academy.

The union runs national club matches at all levels (Senior, Barton Sheild, Junior, Jimmy Bruen Sheild, Pierce Purcell), Irish Close Championship, Irish Amateur Championship, Senior, Youths and Boys Interprovincals.

The GUI's Junior Golf Ireland programme has worked hard at developing Junior Golf and has dedicated convenors in charge.

The commitment of General Secretary Seamus Smith and his team to the running of amateur golf is unbelievable, and as championship committees are voluntary, they certainly operate above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of the game. The four branches and the exceutive committee are also voluntary and there are now over 412 clubs affiliated to the Union.