Far Hills, N.J. – Neil Crichton, chairman of the general committee of The Royal &Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), has been named to succeed Ian Webb as the joint chairman of The International Golf Federation (IGF ), the organization has announced.

The IGF was founded in 1958 to encourage the international development of the game and to employ golf as a vehicle to foster friendship and sportsmanship. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the official international federation for golf, the IGF comprises the national governing bodies of golf in more than 90 countries.

As one of its main functions, the IGF conducts the World Amateur Team Championships for women and men on a biennial basis. Future championships are scheduled for 2002 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and 2004 in Puerto Rico.

Crichton, of Edinburgh, Scotland, becomes a joint chairman of the organization along with Trey Holland, president of the United States Golf

Association (USGA). As joint chairmen, the two will work closely with the women's chairman of the IGF , Vicky Whyte of Brazil, and the joint secretaries of the IGF : Peter Dawson, secretary of the R&A, and David Fay, the executive director of the USGA.

"I am honored and delighted by my appointment as joint chairman," Crichton said. "I look forward to working with Trey and Vicky in furthering the objectives of the International Golf Federation ."

Crichton qualified as a lawyer from Edinburgh University and worked in private practice for 30 years. Two years ago, he took up a new position working for the Government in Edinburgh.

He was appointed to the R&A Championship Committee in 1988 and to the Rules Committee in 1993. He has served on the General Committee since 1997 and was appointed the Committee's Chairman in September of 2000.

Crichton, who plays to a handicap of 8 at the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Muirfield, is married and has four children.

For more information on the IGF , contact Stephanie Parel, IGF joint deputy secretary, at (908) 234-2300.