Scotland’s golf clubs have overwhelmingly backed the Proposal to amalgamate the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA) after voting 97% in favour via an independent poll.
The poll – which gave all clubs affiliated to the SGU the opportunity to make a difference to the future structure of the game – saw a total of 362 clubs cast their vote, representing 58% of all clubs and eligible societies.
Answering the question ‘Should the SGU and SLGA amalgamate as detailed in the Official Proposal –Scottish Golf Amalgamation: Creating a single unified national governing body for amateur golf in Scotland?’, 351 clubs voted ‘Yes’ and only 11 voted ‘No’. Across all 16 Areas of the country, there was endorsement of the Proposal with clubs delivering a majority ‘Yes’ vote.
To ensure complete integrity and transparency of the Poll process, it was conducted by 4 global Consulting Ltd, an independent market research company.
The SGU Board and Area Golf Associations agreed to seek the views of all SGU affiliated clubs as an essential part of the amalgamation process, guiding the respective Areas on how to vote on the Proposal at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of Scottish Golf Union Limited.
The EGM has now been confirmed for Monday 30 March 2015 at the centrally-located Stirling Court Hotel, situated at the University of Stirling campus.
Last month, the Membership of the SLGA backed the Proposal to amalgamate with the SGU after a unanimous margin of 204 – 0 at their Annual General Meeting.
SGU chairman Tom Craig said: “I’m delighted that clubs in every Area of the country have overwhelmingly supported the Proposal. This sends out a powerful message about what clubs want to help build a positive future for the game in Scotland.
“We thank all clubs for taking the time to participate in the independent Poll and we expect that the Poll, along with any local consultation process undertaken by an Area, will provide those charged with voting at the SGU EGM on 30 March with a clear mandate from their affiliated clubs.
“I look forward to seeing all 16 Area representatives in Stirling and approach this historic occasion with great optimism.”
Last year, a Joint Working Group, independently chaired by Sheriff Alastair Thornton, circulated the Proposal to all Areas, Counties and clubs in Scotland.
To meet the many challenges currently facing the game, the Proposal outlines how amalgamation can provide a platform for a new governing body to lead Scottish golf positively into the future, help clubs thrive and attract more people of all ages and gender into the sport.
Scotland’s leading male and female golfers, Stephen Gallacher and Catriona Matthew, have also backed the plans to amalgamate the two governing bodies for the future benefit of the game.
A report detailing both the local and national outcomes of the independent Poll can be found at the following link: www.scottishgolf.org/wp-content/uploads/SGU-Amalgamation-Poll-National-Results-February-2015.pdf
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