The English Golf Union is holding a referendum among its affiliated clubs over the introduction of a mandated National Computerised Handicapping System. All 1,906 clubs have been sent a form seeking support for the system and for approval to increase the golf club member’s subscription, currently paid to the Union, to fund it. This increase would not be greater than £1.
Clubs and, in particular, golf club secretaries and chairmen of SSS and handicapping committees, will be aware this topic has been the subject of much debate throughout each of the Home Unions and CONGU over a number of years.However, the EGU’s Executive Committee feels the time is right for action if the governing body for men’s amateur golf in England is to take handicapping and competition golf forward into the 21st century.
The Golfing Union of Ireland has already implemented such a system and the feedback from clubs and golfers there is overwhelmingly in favour.
The GUI was invited by the Association of Golf Club Secretaries to make a presentation of their system at the association’s recent conference and fears and suspicions surrounding the introduction of a centralised system were allayed. Indeed, the concept received total support and praise from those present.
Delegates then challenged the EGU to produce a scheme for its members based on the GUI system, or at least compatible to it, and the conference supported the principle of mandating a scheme funded through an increase in subscriptions purely for such a purpose.
The EGU SSS and Handicapping and Executive Committees, having received the report from the conference, are heartened by the warmth and intensity of the support for the proposal and wish to show a positive lead. The Executive Committee therefore unanimously agreed the Union should proceed with the introduction of a National Computerised Handicapping System, subject to the support of clubs.
“This is a very important and historic decision for the future of our game and will only succeed should it receive the full support from our affiliated clubs,” says the EGU’s chief executive Paul Baxter. “For this reason it is vital that every club casts its vote. Failure to vote or a non-vote can always be taken either way; therefore to ensure there are no misunderstandings, clubs who fail to reply will be taken as supportive of the proposal.”
The deadline for receiving votes at EGU headquarters will be Friday 8th August. The results of this survey and the number of votes cast will be presented to the EGU Executive Committee at their meeting on Wednesday 20th August for ratification, following which all clubs and county unions will be advised of the decision and the way forward.
For more information contact Paul Baxter, Chief Executive/Secretary, The English Golf Union, The National Golf Centre, The Broadway, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire LN10 6PU Tel: 01526 354500
English Golf Union www.englishgolfunion.org