The partnership will see the R&A, one of the organisations which governs worldwide golf, assume responsibility for staging the LGU’s championships and international matches next year.

This includes the Ricoh Women's British Open, one of women’s golf’s major events.

The R&A claim the move, which comes into effect from January 1, offers "leading women’s professional and elite amateur golfers opportunities to play in a world class series of events".

They confirmed that, as a result of the merger, "an agreed governance structure has also been implemented to give LGU Board members representation on relevant R&A Committees".

The heads of agreement between the two organisations was signed in June leading to the integration of the LGU’s business operations and its members of staff into the R&A group of companies.

"The integration of the two organisations puts us in a better, stronger position to realise our collective vision for growing the game of golf around the world," R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said.

"Our combined resources and staff expertise will help us to achieve our shared aims for the development of golf, including increasing girls’ and women’s participation and encouraging more families to enjoy golf as a recreational activity.

"Both organisations have an excellent track record of successfully staging prestigious championships and international matches and we are looking forward to a great season of events next year."

LGU chair Trish Wilson described the merger as a "a progressive and important step for the development of women’s golf".

"Bringing the two organisations together creates a platform that will allow us to develop our aspirations for women’s golf on a global stage and encourage more girls and women to play golf and become members of clubs," she added.

"The success of the Ricoh Women’s British Open and the Curtis Cup demonstrates the growing strength of women’s golf in both the professional and amateur game and we look forward to building on this with The R&A."