The trade body for golf tourism in Scotland has announced that existing board member Lee Derrick has been appointed to the post of chairman following the retirement of Nick Hunter. The recent election represents the next stage in the development of Golf Tourism Scotland (GTS), which actively campaigns on behalf of the golf tourism sector.
Derrick, who heads up specialist marketing agency Blue Spinach, has been an active member on the GTS board providing guidance and communication between the various segments of the tourism industry. With over 15 years’ experience working with Virgin Atlantic, VisitBritain and Golf & Resort Management Ltd, the well-known marketeer seems to be relishing his new role.
“It is with great pleasure that I accepted the board’s invitation to be chairman,” said Derrick. “Being a part of GTS has been a wonderful experience and to be given the opportunity to take the organisation forward is one that I wiII savour. I hope I can carry on the good work started by Nick and the other board members by championing our members’ concerns and aspirations.”
Hunter, who held the post for two and a half years, oversaw the establishment of GTS as a major player in Scotland’s lucrative tourism sector. With plenty of highlights to choose from, the former chairman looked back fondly on his tenure.
“Being at the helm of Scotland’s foremost golf tourism trade body was a huge undertaking, but one that I certainly enjoyed,” he noted. “As far as high points, there are quite a few to choose from but the fifth anniversary celebrations in St Andrews sticks out as does the growth and development of our Gold Standards Awards. Perhaps most important of all was providing members with a belief they are associated with an organisation that offers real value and is going places.”
Derrick’s appointment and Hunter’s retirement were confirmed at a board meeting held on 10 December 2010. There were also a number of new members taking their seats at the meeting, including Ruaridh Macdonald of Macdonald Hotels, Stewart Smith of Golf 3000, Mike Woodcock of St Andrews Links Trust and Gordon Donaldson of St Andrews Executive Travel.
Golf Tourism Scotland www.golftourismscotland.com