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Dear Mr. Scott,

I read with interest comments attributed to you in today’s edition of the Scotsman where you discuss the decision by The R&A to award the live broadcast rights for the Open Championship to Sky Sports.

As someone who has been following this story for some time, I’m well aware that the matter has split opinion. Broadly speaking, it appears the majority of golf fans (certainly those that engage with us) are either in the Sky camp or the BBC camp. There doesn’t appear to be much middle ground. So, I understand your concerns about the change in the broadcasting set-up.

“The R&A has awarded live rights to Sky Sports but it hasn’t taken the championship off the BBC altogether.”

However, it’s disappointing that somebody who holds a position of responsibility, as one of Scotland’s elected MSPs, has jumped to several conclusions following the news.

I’m going to pick up on a few points from the quotes attributed to you:

“The Open should be on free TV.”

It will be. The R&A has awarded live rights to Sky Sports but it hasn’t taken the championship off the BBC altogether. The Beeb is going to show a two-hour highlights programme in a primetime slot on each night of the championship.

“Giving the game to satellite television reduces the number of people who will see the essential sporting drama of an Open Championship.”

Not necessarily. Anybody can watch Sky Sports, so long as they are prepared or are able to pay for the privilege. Those who can’t or won’t still have other options available, such as going to watch the coverage at their local golf club. This wouldn’t be a bad thing, in my opinion. In these challenging times, many golf clubs need all the extra revenue they can get. Inviting members and their guests to watch The Open in the club bar would help, in that regard.

“If money is now the be-all and end-all to the game’s administrators, the R&A, who say they will stay in St Andrews, may soon go elsewhere.”

There is nothing to suggest this will happen. Do you know something I don’t, or are you just speculating?

“The world game started in Scotland and our golf courses are internationally renowned. We market Scotland on the strength of golf.”

This, I completely agree with. The game did start here and our courses are internationally renowned. Organisations such as VisitScotland do a fantastic job marketing the game around the globe and the legacy left by the Ryder Cup, in particular, points to that trend continuing.

What makes their jobs harder is when people with a platform to influence policy-setting and change – people such as you – splutter conjecture about something they appear to have little knowledge of.

“It’s great to see you taking an interest in golf. Perhaps next time, your motivation will be to praise the many great things the game has got going for it.”

On that basis, I’d recommend you reconsider the wording of the question the Scotsman article indicates you have lodged at the Scottish Parliament, asking the government to meet The R&A to “press the importance of the Open Championship being available for everyone to see on terrestrial TV”.

As I’ve explained, it will be. Whether that is to an extent that satisfies you, me or anybody else is by the bye.

It’s great to see you taking an interest in golf. I hope that it won’t be the last time you do. Perhaps next time, though, your motivation will be to be praise the many great things the game in Scotland has got going for it rather than to jump on a bandwagon. That’s how more harm than good gets done.

Best regards,

Michael McEwan • Assistant Editor, bunkered

The Open moving to Sky :: your thoughts

Tavish Scott MSP appears to be against The Open moving to Sky Sports. What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know using our ‘Comments’ section below.

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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.

Deputy Editor

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