Areas reject amalgamation

Proposal to merge SGU and SLGA rejected by Area Associations

The proposal to merge and modernize Scottish golf’s governing bodies has been rejected by the SGU’s Area Associaitons.

Requiring 12 votes in favour for the proposal to proceed, the sixteen Area Associations voted 10 to 6 against amalgamation with the SLGA.

On their part, the SLGA had voted overwhelmingly in favour of the proposal just days before.

Rejection means the proposal in its current format has not received the required level of support by the SGU’s shareholders and therefore the amalgamation cannot proceed.

In a statement issued by The Scottish Golf Union Board, they were said to be “disappointed” with the outcome of the Areas’ vote.

The board elaborated that they thought the outcome did not represent the wishes of Scottish golfers, and would be detrimental to the future of the game.

“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,” read the statement.

“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 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 SGU declared their intention to continue to pursue the amalgamation, admitting that the vote would force them to revise their proposal in the near future.

“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,” read the statement.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of sportscotland, Stuart Ferrier, Partnership Manager for Golf, expressed his disappointment with the result.

“sportscotland is disappointed that the amalgamation of the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association was not approved this week.

Ferrier added: “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.”

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered