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At the helm: Interim chairman Craig, left, and president Maurice Shields will seek to see through the amalgamation

Interim chairman Craig charged with seeing through amalgamation

The Scottish Golf Union has appointed Tom Craig CA as its new interim chairman and immediately charged its new chief with seeing through the proposed amalgamation with the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association.

Craig was appointed at the governing body’s AGM after previous chairman Douglas Connon MBE did not seek a second three-year term due to health reasons.

At the AGM, Maurice Shields was also confirmed as the 50th SGU president and Iain Harvey was appointed as the new vice-president. Stephen Docherty succeeds John Fraser as non-executive director (performance), with Ian Howarth the new junior vice-president.

Following agreement from the 16 Area Associations at the annual gathering held at Tulliallan Police College, Craig’s primary focus will be on achieving the proposed merger with the SLGA.

Should the amalgamation goal be achieved, Craig, will then stand down and pass the chairmanship to the new chairman appointed by the combined body.

However, if at any time it becomes apparent that amalgamation is not going to be fulfilled, he will step down and the SGU will undertake its process to seek a new chairman.

“It is a great honour to be elected as Chairman of the SGU,” said Craig. “It is a fine organisation with very capable, committed and enthusiastic staff. Everyone I have met in the SGU – staff, directors, Council members, Area Association officials and so on – share one thing in common: they are all hugely committed to golf in Scotland, and desperately keen for its success and prosperity.

“Every golfer in Scotland owes a debt of gratitude to those involved in the SGU, particularly to the army of volunteers who work very often unseen and without thought of any personal reward save the success of our sport.

Craig was plain that his objective in his new role is to see through the amalgamation of Scotland’s male and female governing bodies.

“During this past year there have been some unfortunate difficulties associated with amalgamating the gents’ and ladies’ governing bodies of Scottish amateur golf,” he said.

“My priority as chairman will be to work with our new president, Maurice Shields, to achieve a basis of amalgamation with the SLGA which is recognised as right for the SGU and for the greater good of amateur golf in Scotland.”

Vastly experienced in management and finance, Craig is chairman of Craig Corporate, which provides private and public companies with business management, corporate finance, company turnaround and taxation services.

He is also co-chairman of @sipp plc, a SIPP trustee and administration company, and Houston Bottling & Co-Pack, a provider of bottling and packing services to the whisky industry. He is also a director of Accord hospice in his home town of Paisley.

Craig is a member of Western Gailes Golf Club, where he has previously served on the committee, and at Erskine Golf Club, where he has served as Finance Convener and Captain.

Maurice Shields, a retired PE teacher, is a popular figure on the national championship amateur circuit. He has served on several SGU committees, including development and child protection, and has been a Scotland team manager at both Boys’ and Men’s levels.

A member of Windyhill Golf Club since 1963, he has been an executive member of the Dumbartonshire Golf Union for a number of years, acting as Area president between 2008 and 2010.

The SGU extended its thanks to Douglas Connon, who took over from Alistair Low as chairman in January 2009. Connon was praised for having helped raise the profile, reputation and finances of the SGU during his time with the organisation.

 

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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

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