Scottish Golf postpones plans to raise affiliation fee

Scottish Golf has postponed plans to increase its affiliation fees pending further consultation with its members.  

The organisation had previously indicated its intention to raise the levy paid by all Scottish golf club members by £1.25 in order to cover rising costs.  

In a statement last month, Scottish Golf revealed that it was facing “the same economic and financial realities of all organisations at this time”, citing costs of £400,000 per annum. By raising affiliation fees from £14.50 to £15.75, it hoped to raise an additional £225,00.  

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However, ahead of yesterday’s AGM, that resolution was surprisingly withdrawn.  

Martin Gilbert, the chair of Scottish Golf, explained: “We have postponed the levy until September because it’s quite clear that we need to do a bit more consultation.  

“Our members want to understand what it’s going to be used for, so Fraser Thornton (interim CEO) is going to work on that for the next six months, and then we’ll go back to the membership with the overall strategy and thinking on the levy.” 

There will now follow a period of consultation, where the proposed affiliation increase and the article amendments will be put out to consultation and the membership will be given a chance to feedback and respond.  

Elsewhere at the AGM, members voted in three new non-executive directors. Robert Cook, former CEO of both Virgin Active UK and Hostmore, which operates the TGI Fridays restaurant brand, joins the Board alongside Iain Smith, Head of Corporate Relations for Diageo in Scotland, and Alan Grant, Senior Golf Manager with Visit Scotland. 

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Starting her Presidential term with Scottish Golf is Lynne Terry, who has a long-standing relationship with the body as a volunteer, and has served on the CONGU Board and R&A Rules Committee.  

The departure of Eliz Munro as President sees Paul Gibson assume the role of President, and Derek Paton becomes Senior Vice President. 

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.

Deputy Editor