SCOTTISH GOLF AMALGAMATION PROPOSAL - All clubs urged to take part in online poll

All clubs affiliated to the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) are being urged to vote in an independent Poll over the coming weeks, as part of the Proposal to amalgamate the SGU and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA).

(Press release from the Scottish Golf Union)



The independent Poll is now open and runs until Friday 27 February

This gives all affiliated SGU clubs the opportunity to make a difference to the future structure of the game in this country.

The SGU Board and Area Golf Associations agreed to seek the views of all SGU affiliated clubs as an essential part of the amalgamation process, guiding the respective Areas on how to vote on the Proposal at an Extraordinary General Meeting of Scottish Golf Union Limited in the near future.

Speaking after the SGU Annual Conference in Stirling at the weekend, SGU Chairman Tom Craig said: “We encourage and advise all affiliated SGU clubs to vote in the independent Poll. It is simply vital that they do so.

“At our forthcoming Extraordinary General Meeting, the 16 Area Golf Associations, who are the shareholders of the SGU, will vote according to their clubs’ wishes.”

To ensure complete integrity and transparency of the Poll process, it will be conducted by 4 global Consulting, an independent market research company, and they have been in touch will all affiliated clubs on how to participate, either online or via the telephone.

Shortly before Christmas, the Proposal to amalgamate the SGU and the SLGA into a single unified governing body for amateur golf in Scotland was finalised, one that can herald an exciting “new era” for Scottish Golf and one fundamentally important for the future of the game.

In clear terms, the Proposal – prepared by a Joint Working Group under the independent chairmanship of Sheriff Alastair Thornton – outlines how amalgamation can provide a platform for a new governing body to lead Scottish golf positively into the future, help Clubs be viable and vibrant and attract more people of all ages and gender into the sport.

The Proposal, together with supporting documents, was distributed to the memberships of each organisation – namely the SGU’s 16 Area Associations, the SLGA’s 15 County Golf Associations, Ladies Clubs and Ladies Sections of Clubs and all SGU affiliated Clubs in Scotland.
The independent Poll will now be held to allow golf clubs to feedback their views, with all clubs encouraged to take part. Once the Poll concludes, the full results will be published and available to view on both the SGU and the SLGA websites.

Craig added: “Currently, this is the most significant issue facing Scottish Golf. Amalgamation is fundamentally important to building a modern, democratic, inclusive governing body for Scottish amateur golf. It is vital we pass on a fit for purpose organisation for the next generation to take the game forward.

“It creates the opportunity to build an effective partnership among golfers, Clubs, Areas, Counties, Board and staff for the greater good of Scottish Golf. A single body will help attract more women into golf and remove some of the stigma of a male-dominated game.

“It is a hugely important we amalgamate to help grow the sport and assist clubs in becoming viable and vibrant again, and to be great places for all golfers to spend their leisure time.”

Furthermore, the SLGA Membership (Ladies Sections of Clubs, Ladies Clubs, County Golf Associations, Vice Presidents and Directors) will vote on whether to back the amalgamation Proposal at their Annual General Meeting on Saturday 7 February in Edinburgh.