This evening (26 May) the Scottish Golf Union held a Special Meeting with the sole purpose of considering the amalgamation proposal. This proposal has been widely consulted upon with Areas, Counties and Clubs. The proposal was approved at the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association’s Special Meeting yesterday (25 May).
The Scottish Golf Union’s shareholders, comprising the sixteen Area Associations, voted 10 to 6 against the amalgamation proposal. This means the proposal in its current format has not received the required level of support by our shareholders and therefore amalgamation cannot proceed at this stage
The Scottish Golf Union Board is disappointed with the outcome of the Areas’ vote. The Board believes that the vote is contrary to the wishes of the majority of clubs they represent, which saw 263 affiliated clubs (89.2%) approve the amalgamation proposal from the 295 clubs (51%) that formally responded with their views.
The amalgamation proposal has also been strongly supported by the amateur game’s other key stakeholders, including the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association and its members (Clubs and Counties), major funders sportscotland and other commercial sponsors and partners.
The Scottish Golf Union’s commitment to supporting clubs, together with developing talent and growing the game, remains at the heart of our activities and we will continue to strengthen relationships with clubs to deliver against this strategy. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all clubs for their assistance and patience during this lengthy process.
The Scottish Golf Union Board believes that this result is a setback for the future development and governance of Scottish amateur golf. However, the Board takes heart from the fact that all 16 Areas have consistently reaffirmed their support for amalgamation and a commitment to finding a way to achieve amalgamation working with the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association.
The Board will continue to act in the best interests of Scottish golf and will meet on 6 June to consider how we can progress this important matter.
At yesterday’s meeting of SLGA the proposal to amalgamate was carried by a significant majority, with 93.03% of votes cast being in favour of its adoption.
sportscotland Partnership Manager for golf, Stuart Ferrier said: “sportscotland is disappointed that the amalgamation of the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association was not approved this week. We are encouraged by the Ladies emphatic vote in favour and all other parties voicing support for amalgamation in principle, which is in the best interest of the sport.
“We will continue to work with the bodies and their members to create one strong amateur body to govern golf in Scotland.”
sportscotland www.sportscotland.org.uk
Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association www.slga.co.uk
Scottish Golf Union www.scottishgolf.org