SCOTTISH GOLF - EGM approves per capita rise

The EGM of Scottish Golf held at Stirling on Thursday 4th October has approved a rise in the per capita payment levied on all member clubs from the present level of £11.25 to £14.50. 

This increase, proposed by a number of Area and County associations, will become effective from 1st January and will be payable by 31st march 2019, and will be payable in respect of every member of a club over the age of 18 with playing rights.

The Scottish Golf press release on the subject is reproduced below:-

Scottish Golf’s membership has voted in favour of a resolution to increase the per capita fee at a General Meeting held at the Stirling Court Hotel tonight.

The resolution was passed with a majority vote of 60.2%. The increase from £11.25 to £14.50 will take effect from January 2019 and will be frozen until the collection of subscriptions in January 2022.

The increased revenue of circa £500,000 has been ring-fenced to support the development of key strategic priorities and also to offset proposed cuts announced in light of decreased funding available to Scottish Golf.

Specifically, it will also enable Scottish Golf to create a fit-for-purpose national junior programme, explore income generation from non-membership golfers – known as nomadic golfers – and offer a free-of-charge digital service for clubs to support and improve membership services at all levels, including tee-booking, competition management, and handicapping.

Andrew McKinlay, Scottish Golf Chief Executive: “I would like to thank the membership for voting in favour of a prosperous future for the game. I understand the subject of affiliation fee has been a contentious one in recent years but I have been clear on the financial challenges the game faces without the ability to invest in areas that will help facilitate long-term growth.

“We now have a stronger financial foundation on which to build a more cohesive and joined-up national junior programme to increase participation and access to golf for future generations. We will also press ahead with plans to make non-member golfers integral to our future, by offering attractive and flexible ways to play and support golf in their local areas, while at the same time contributing to the overall development of the game.

“Today’s vote also enables us to offset some of the proposed cuts outlined and, instead, commit to supporting our member clubs with a range of services ultimately designed to ensure a sustainable and attractive game now and in the future.”

Eleanor Cannon, Scottish Golf Chair: “I would like to thank those who stepped forward to request a General Meeting to revisit the affiliation fee. They did so on the back of an AGM where Scottish Golf outlined the challenges and opportunities faced by golf now and in the future. The Area and Country representatives who came forward eschewed self-interest in favour of the common good: for that, I am eternally grateful and thankful for their efforts and their selflessness.

“We must now work together as one Scottish Golf family to make golf more accessible to younger members, to incorporate non-members into our offering, to support our clubs and to encourage our players to fulfil their potential. Those aims have been made all the more achievable in light of this evening’s outcome.”