GOLF’S GOVERNING bodies have agreed in principle to an anti-doping policy for the professional game.

However, R&A chief executive Peter Dawson made it clear there is no reason to believe golf is anything other than a clean sport.

He said, “It’s terrific that all of the major golf organisations of the world have come together in this initiative, and we’re delighted that we’re going to have a great degree of international consistency in the way this subject is handled.”

European Tour chief executive George O’Grady added, “It is really good news for us that all the bodies are on-side today—including the four major championships, which are the focus of the game.

“I think it’s so good that we’ve got a co-ordinated policy for the whole world now and not just one tour going off on its own sweet way.

“I think this is very good news for the whole world of golf and for sport in general.”

The policy will be introduced in two phases.

The first—which has been completed— encompasses the development of the model prohibited substances and methods list.

The second stage will include general standards for the fundamental elements of an anti-doping programme for golf organisations becoming signatories to the policy, while providing flexibility for such signatories to develop the specific policies and procedures necessary or appropriate for their organisations.

Organisations supporting the development of the policy—as a result of their representation on the board of directors of the World Golf Foundation— include Augusta National Golf Club, the European Tour, the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association, the Professional Golf Association of America, the Professional Golf Association Tour, the R&A, the United States Golf Association, the US Women’s Open and the US Senior Open.

Other leading golf organisations that have agreed to become signatories to the policy include the Asian, Australasian, Canadian and Japan professional golf tours, the Sunshine Tour and the Tour de las Americas.

An anti-doping office of the World Golf Foundation will be created in 2008.