The Board of Golf Australia has announced the appointment of Western Australian John Hopkins as Chairman. Mr Hopkins replaces Anne Lenagan who retired at the Board s recent meeting after having served in the position for three and a half years. Mr Hopkins was elected unopposed. The GA Board passed a vote of thanks to Mrs Lenagan for her tireless and diligent work for GA. Mrs Lenagan will remain as a Director on the Board of Golf Australia. I look forward to continuing the good work that Anne has been driving, Mr Hopkins said. We want to ensure that the new handicap system aligns with the interests of golfers of all abilities and I look forward to working with Stephen Pitt and all groups in the industry to ensure that Golf Australia continues to drive participation and growth in the game so the whole industry works cohesively together for the promotion of the game at all levels, he added. A former lawyer, Mr Hopkins has been a professional company director in recent years and has served as a chairman and director of a significant number of public listed companies over the past 25 years. Mr Hopkins has been actively involved in golf administration for a long period of time and was president of the Australian Golf Union in 1997. He was an Advisory Member of the R&A Rules Committee and a referee at The Open Championship for more than 10 years. Mr Hopkins is the current President of Lake Karrinyup Country Club in Perth and was the President of the Western Australian Golf Association from 2007-2010. The position takes effect immediately.