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In truth, Blane Dodds’ decision to leave Scottish Golf after just over a year at the helm doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

Rumours have been circulating about the chief executive’s position since the summer, with suggestions that he was keen on a role with Tennis Scotland something of an open secret in certain circles.

The fact that he continued to act as chair of Tennis Scotland whilst in post at Scottish Golf – at least, that’s what it says on his LinkedIn account – did nothing to silence the murmurings.

What is surprising is the timing of his departure. In just over six weeks’ time, a new strategic plan for Scottish Golf – essentially, the fruits of Dodds’ labour over the last six to nine months – will be debated at a Special General Meeting before Scottish Golf stakeholders will be asked to vote upon them.

If conversations on social media are anything to go by, it appears that there is very little chance of the proposals being passed.

Speaking to Dodds in St Andrews two weeks ago, I got the sense he knew that, too.

He cut a (ironically enough) resigned figure. Downbeat, downcast, defeated. What he didn’t appear to have was the stomach for a fight – and that’s the exact opposite of what Scottish Golf needs right now.

By his own admission, he inherited an organisation that was in a bad way. He told me that, when he came in, expenditure was outstripping income and so he set in place a new business strategy in an attempt to balance the books and make Scottish Golf better fit for purpose.

The decision by sportscotland to slash its funding to the body was a further complication he could have done without but it appears to be the broadly negative response to his proposed strategy overhaul that has broken this particular camel’s back.


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

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